Over the next couple of days, the girls spent hours with federal agents, giving them whatever details they could remember, trying hard not to relive them. They were grateful for the therapy sessions.
At the same time, the sisters were helping them decide on living arrangements, such as apartments, or helping them relocate to where they had friends or family members, family members who were upstanding and responsible citizens.
But there was no way Rachel was going back to a crack-den trailer. Diedre had no family with the qualifications, either, so they decided to share an apartment. Jennie had only been at The Haven for a short time and only a few days at 19 Yellow Moon Road. She chose to visit her sister in Boston until she could figure out her next move. Maki, Tanya, Olivia, Collette, and Serena wanted to rent a big house where they could live together. Annie thought a bed-and-breakfast would be a good change of pace and found an ideal location for them in Islamorada. They would live there and run the place.
By the end of the week, everyone had a game plan, including Liam and Gabby. Annie established the Margaret Drew Chair of Psychology at Florida International University for Liam, and Gabby would be his research assistant. Gabby would also do some freelance writing for the Herald, for their Arts and Entertainment section. The sisters were curious about whether Liam’s relationship with Gabby would evolve. Or not.
Noah was heading to parts unknown, and Simone and her mother were relocated to Barbados. And then there was Ruffing. No, despite all the evidence the feds had gathered, he would not be going to trial and end up in a federal penitentiary. He wouldn’t even be indicted the only way he could be, in absentia. Because, strangely enough, despite all the efforts being made, Daniel Josephson Ruffing was nowhere to be found. The FBI and the DEA looked high and low, but their best efforts produced no results.
Courtesy of the Sisterhood, Ruffing was headed for parts unknown. And his domicile would not be nearly as nice as a cell in a federal prison. His encounter with a troop of male baboons being transferred from Africa to the Monkey Jungle in Florida didn’t go very well. Ruffing’s screams were inaudible amidst the screeching of the most vicious and aggressive of the baboon species. And once the cage arrived in Florida, Pearl made further arrangements for Ruffing to relocate to a place where baboons would be considered tame.
With everything wrapped up, the sisters packed their bags and headed to the executive airport, where Annie’s jet awaited.
As they settled into their seats, Maggie made one more remark. “Charles? What’s for dinner tonight?”
Everyone broke out in laughter. “Fettuccini carbonara, of course.”
Epilogue
One week later
Pinewood
Annie and Myra had just returned from a quick trip to London. They were giggling all the way from the car to the house. Fergus and Charles were waiting in the kitchen. Aromas of Charles’s cuisine filled the air.
“How was your visit with Charlotte?” Charles gave her a big hug.
“Wonderful. She and Lincoln are getting along swimmingly.”
“So nice to hear.” Charles nuzzled her neck. “Now will you tell me the real reason for the big rush to get to London?”
“Remember the story about Liam and Noah’s mother taking off before their father got arrested?” Annie asked after giving Fergus a peck on the cheek.
“Yes. Rather dodgy of her,” Fergus replied.
“Let’s save it for when the others arrive,” Myra said. “I’m going to change into something more comfortable than this.”
Annie chimed in, “I think I’ll head back home and unload my stuff. What time is dinner?”
“Seven. The sisters should be here around six thirty,” Charles answered.
“Oh good. We’ll tell everyone at the same time.”
Yelping and yapping from Lady and her pups signaled the arrival of the sisters. Dog treats, hugs, and kisses were shared.
Maggie was the first one to head toward the oven to see what Charles had on the menu.
He swatted her hand as she was about to pull the door open.
“Uh ... uh ... uh ... No fair peeking.”
“Do I smell Yorkshire pudding?” Maggie’s eyes lit up.
Charles leaned over. “Yes, but don’t tell anyone.”
In a conspiratorial manner, Maggie whispered back, “Roast?”
Charles winked. “Now fall to it and get that table set!”
As so many times before, the women expeditiously made their way from the china cabinet to the table, placing all the dinnerware and flatware in their place.
Yoko was the last to arrive, carrying an armload of birds of paradise and anthuriums. “Yes, it’s a ‘theme party.”’ Yoko recounted the day at the farmers’ market. Everyone cackled with glee.
They made their way to the table, sat in their usual places, took each other’s hands, and said grace.
“This smells scrumptious.” Maggie handed her plate to Charles. “What’s everyone else going to eat?”
Giggles and whooping went around the table.
“All right, old girl. Spill. What were the two of you really doing in London?”
“But first, I want to know what Isabelle found in that black box she took from the estate,” Kathryn interjected.
“Oh that?” Isabelle had a devilish grin. “Just lots and lots of video of Ruffing’s guests enjoying the pleasure of the girls’ company.”
“Ew. Ew. Ew,” Maggie blurted. “Porn?”
“Yeah. Kinda. But yes,” Isabelle said with a sour face.
“What are you going to do with it?” Maggie asked.
“Annie is holding it in a safe place.”
“But why?” Kathryn asked.
“You never know when we may need blackmail information.” Annie winked. “We think that’s how Ruffing was making some of his money. Blackmailing his guests.”
“What a swell guy,” Maggie blurted. “Enough of that dirtbag. We want to know about your trip!”
“As I mentioned earlier, if you recall, Mrs. Westlake left the country months before her husband was arrested,” Myra said.
“Not only did she abandon her children, but she made off with almost a million dollars in cash and jewelry,” Annie added.
“Not exactly Mother of the Year, eh?” Fergus replied.
“Exactly. She left two sons entering their last semester in college with nothing. And I do mean nothing. She took whatever she could get her hands on and fled, abandoning her children. We saw what that did to both Noah and Liam. One became a criminal, the other a heartbroken soul.”
“At least he tried to make something of his emotional loss,” Maggie said sadly.
“Yes, and he did help a lot of people,” Myra interjected.
“And I am sure he will help more. He has a very kind heart. And with Gabby with him, who knows what good things will happen.”
“Okay, but back to Mommy Dearest.” Annie had a gleam in her eye.
“Apparently, Eleanor Adams Westlake has been hobnobbing with some of London’s elite. She’d been showing off her jewelry at events.”
Nikki looked appalled. “You didn’t!”
“Uh, yes, we did,” Annie said sheepishly.
“But how?” Alexis asked.
“Do you remember the Julian Marcus jewelry swap? When we switched his wife’s real stuff for fakes?” Annie asked.
“Of course!” half the women bellowed.