Nate glanced around the dining room, newly edgy. “So there’s undercover cops here?”
“Right again. You’re going to jail for a very, very long time.” Bennie rose, standing aside because undercover police were already in motion, jumping up from their tables and coming toward them. Uniformed police had burst into the restaurant and charged toward the table. They all swarmed Nate, who looked wildly around but realized he had no escape. One cop frisked him, and another slapped a pair of steel handcuffs on his wrists.
Nate looked at Bennie, stricken. “I need a lawyer.”
“You’re kidding, right?” Bennie snorted.
A third cop said, “Mr. Lence, you are being arrested for conspiracy to commit murder and criminal conspiracy. You have the right to remain silent, and if you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you…”
Nate tried to hide his face as the police escorted him past the stunned gaze of the other patrons, some of whom raised their phones, taking pictures and filming.
Bennie watched him go with grim satisfaction. She flashed on the picture of Adele Watson from the Bethlehem Bank website. Nothing could bring Adele back, but justice was still the best consolation prize going.
Bennie left the table, grabbing Mo’s phone. Her work here was done, and she had to get to the hospital.
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
By Wednesday, Mary itched to go home. She had been moved off of the neurology floor, ostensibly because her condition had improved, but probably because she had too many visitors. Anthony had slept over every night, and Mary’s mother, father, and El Virus stayed all day. Judy, Bennie, and Declan came in and out, fitting in visits around work. The Tonys stayed with Feet, and Simon and his cousins stayed with Rachel, who was still waiting for a donor, the only dark note in an otherwise happy ending.
“When are you getting out of here, Mary?” Judy asked, which was the question of the moment.
“As soon as they can get rid of us.”
Anthony patted her leg on top of the coverlet. “I saw Dr. Drinkwater in the hallway. He said you might be discharged today, but he’d come in and let us know.”
Mary glanced out the window to a sunny sky. “It’s already afternoon, and I don’t want to spend another night here. I’m ready to go.”
“You sure you feel well enough?” Bennie asked, from the foot of the bed. She was back in her khaki power suit, and the bruise on her cheek and butterfly stitches at her hairline only made her look more badass. Her picture and Mary’s blanketed the news, but the TV stayed off in the hospital room. Mary didn’t need the reminder, and her parents didn’t need the cardiac.
“Yes, I’m tired, but that’ll go away.”
“YOU GOTTA TAKE IT EASY, HONEY. DON’T PUSH IT. DO WHAT THE DOCTOR SAYS.”
“I will, Pop.” Mary didn’t have the heart to tell him that the doctor told her to avoid loud noise, stimulation, and excitement, which was the DiNunzio trifecta.
“Sì, Maria, è vero,” her mother said, looking over from the windowsill, where she was arranging yet another vase of flowers. Mary’s clients had turned out in force, bringing flowers, biscotti, and balloons, and her mother had arranged the gifts around the room to make it homey, which even she couldn’t accomplish.
Declan nodded. “You should take the rest of the week off. Just rest.”
Mary shrugged it off. “I don’t think it’ll take that long. I’ll be back sooner than that.”
Judy perked up. “So does that mean you’re coming back, Mary? Like you’re coming back? Mommy and Daddy aren’t breaking up after all? Rosato & DiNunzio forever?”
Bennie shot Judy a look. “That decision is up to Mary. She doesn’t have to make it now. She should think it over and come back only when, and if, she wants to.”
Mary swallowed hard, meeting Bennie’s eye. She remembered that the last time she had met Bennie’s eye so directly, they had been in mortal danger. Bennie had saved her life, risking her own. Mary felt tears welling, but she didn’t want to cry in front of everybody. She didn’t know why she would cry anyway. Everything had turned out okay. She had no reason to cry.
Mary cleared her throat. “Bennie, I’m very sorry that I considered leaving the firm. I can’t imagine a more loyal partner, and friend. I would love to come back, if you would have me.”
“There’s no apology necessary.” Bennie’s expression softened. “And of course, I’d love to have you back. Hell, you’re already on the sign.”
“Thank you!” Mary felt a rush of gratitude.
“That’s a relief!” Anthony said, grinning.
Mary noticed Judy hesitate, but didn’t know why. “Judy, what’s up?
Bennie smiled slyly. “I’ll tell you what’s up, Mary. Judy is joining the partnership. If it’s okay with you.”
Judy’s head whirled around. “Bennie, are you serious? You would still make me a partner?”
“Absolutely!” Bennie patted her on the back. “It’s the right result. Let’s do it!”
“OF COURSE, YOU GIRLS ARE A TEAM! ALL OF YOU’S!”
Mary didn’t get it, happily confused. “Awesome! But when did this happen?”
Bennie looked vaguely sheepish. “When you told me you were leaving the firm, I didn’t want to lose Carrier, so I offered her a partnership to keep her. She told me she had to make up her mind, but now it’s easy. It’ll be the three of us.”
“The three of us!” Judy repeated, excited. “Yay!”
“The three of us!” Mary laughed, delighted.
Bennie joined her, laughing. “This will be an adventure!”
Declan rolled his eyes. “That it will.”
Just then the door opened, and Simon entered the crowded room with a broad grin. “Mary, you’re up and at ’em! You look great!”
“I am, I feel great. We’re about to hear when I get to go home. How’s Rachel?”
“She’s doing well, and so is my father. The Tonys and my cousins have everybody covered, so I could come over and see how you are.”
“Did the new donor come through?” Mary asked, sensing that his mood was too good for it to be otherwise.
“As a matter of fact, yes. It’s official now. Rachel is back on the countdown.” Simon grinned, and so did everybody else, but a funny undercurrent left Mary feeling as if they knew something she didn’t.
“What’s going on?” Mary scanned their faces and they started looking at each other and smiling. “You guys are the worst poker faces in the world.”
Simon answered, “Mary, ask who the donor is.”
“Who?” Mary asked, mystified.
“Bennie.” Simon gestured at Bennie, who waved him off, flushing.
“Really?” Mary gasped, touched. “Bennie, I can’t believe you! That’s amazing! When did that happen?”
Bennie shrugged it off. “I did the cheek swab and I was a match. Please don’t make it a big thing.”
Anthony looked over with a smile. “It is a big thing! It’s a wonderful thing to do.”
Declan put his arm around Bennie. “He’s right, babe. Now your secret’s out. You really do have a heart.”