Authors: Deborah Brown
Chapter 36
Zach helped me into his Escalade. I was excited to be leaving the hospital. “Ready?”
“I miss my hairy bed mate, Jazz.” He reached out and took my hand in his. I rolled down the window and let the fresh air blow in my face.
I never thought I’d leave the Everglades alive. I figured Will would kill me and toss what was left of me to the alligators to eat.
The sight of my house brought tears to my eyes. “Home at last,” Zach said, helping me out of the massive SUV.
“It’s good to be here,” I smiled. Jazz met me at the door and stood howling at my feet.
“Welcome,” Mother, Fab and Axe called out in unison from the kitchen.
I walked into the kitchen, and they all stood around the island. In the middle of the counter sat a large vase of deep red hibiscus.
“Hi, everyone,” I smiled. “The flowers are incredible. A work of art, Florida-style.”
“Plus there’s pizza and beer,” Axe pointed out.
“Beer? My favorite,” I said, making a face. “What kind of pizza?”
“Shrimp scampi,” Mother said, coming across the room to kiss me.
“You guys are the best.”
I sat quietly eating, and listened to the talk and laughter. I enjoyed being home and, best of all, sitting with friends and Mother; the fastest way to get well.
I slid off the stool and tapped my spoon against my glass. “Your attention please,” I said, looking serious. They all looked a little surprised.
“Thank you for this special homecoming, and most of all for saving me from a madman. I didn’t give up hope. I knew you’d find me, and you did. Anything I can ever do for any of you, I’m your woman.”
We moved from the kitchen to the living room and I curled up in an oversized chair with Jazz on my lap, listening to small talk about new clients that they’d acquired. I tried hard not to yawn, but I was losing the fight.
I felt someone touch my arm, and I jumped. I opened my eyes and saw Fab standing next to me. I realized I had fallen asleep in the chair. “You fell asleep,” Fab said. “We have to go.”
“It’s rude of me to go to sleep,” I apologized.
“You just got out of the hospital. I’ll come by tomorrow and check on you. I’ll bring you a caramel latte, double whip. Call me if anything creepy happens. I’ll bring my big guns, and we’ll play shoot out,” she said.
“You do realize that your saving my life makes us good friends?”
Though she was clearly caught off guard, from the look on her face she wasn’t opposed to the idea. I wanted to laugh, but was afraid I’d hurt her feelings.
“See you tomorrow.” She waved good-bye, and left, taking Axe with her.
Zach came over and whispered, “I’ll be back in the morning.”
When everyone had left, I put my arms around Mother and hugged her. “You’re the best. Thanks for always being calm under pressure. Hearing your voice in the midst of the chaos gave me a few moments of sanity. I’ve been waiting ever since I woke up in the hospital to have a private moment with you.”
“I’m focusing on the fact that you’re home and healthy. Good thing the little bastard is in jail,” she said.
“My thoughts exactly.”
“I realize you’re just out of the hospital, but I’m not leaving without you telling me how you met these people. I want the entire story, Madison,” she said, stressing the word
entire
. “I’m staying until you’re back on your feet, and ready to be by yourself.”
“Now that you’ve met everyone, do you like them?” I asked. I wanted the answer to be ‘yes’.
“I do. Fabiana is my favorite. You wouldn’t know it to look at her, but she’s one fierce chick. She won me over completely when she taught me how to pick a lock,” Mother laughed.
“I need more practice. No fair you caught on like you picked locks in another life.”
“When you’re feeling better, you should throw a pool party. Make it a barbecue and invite all your new friends. A good time to introduce Brad to everyone,” she suggested.
“About Brad…,” I started.
“I’ll tell Brad what happened. Well, maybe not every detail,” she sighed. “He’ll just be happy you’re alive.” She hugged me. “Now go to bed before you fall asleep on my shoulder.”
“I’m happy you’re staying. Come on, Jazz. Time for bed.” Jazz raced ahead of me and beat me up the stairs.
* * *
I had to remind myself that the nightmare was behind me and I was safe. I appreciated having clean sheets, something I always took for granted in the past. They smelled fresh, not like dirt, and no cockroaches were running across my legs. The best part was Jazz on the pillow next to me, sound asleep.
The phone rang. I thought about letting it go to voicemail but answered.
“Madison, this is Howard Sherman. How are you?”
“Relieved to be home,” I told him, getting one of my stomach aches.
“I have good news for you. Tucker Davis couriered over his resignation as executor. He included all of the records for The Cottages, and the estate filings he had completed.”
I exhaled with relief. “That’s great. Did you ask him to resign?” It was hard to believe Tucker would go away on his own volition.
“No, he sent it by messenger and offered no explanation.” You could hear the curiosity in his voice.
“What happens from here?” I asked, surprised by the turn of events.
“You, or someone of your choosing, will step in as executor. The actual duties are limited with the exception of running the property, and there’s no reason why you can’t handle everything. I’ll prepare all of the required documentation the court requires. Ernest Whitman has finished the financial statements. You may operate The Cottages as you wish with no interference from anyone.”
“Who’s been looking after the property? Tucker?”
“Tucker has kept a low profile since all of this became public. A Fabiana Merceau came to my office and told me she would take charge until you were able. I assumed she had your permission?” he asked, sounding worried.
“Oh yes, sorry, I forgot.” Fab was the perfect choice. No one would put anything over on her. Had I told her Joseph had health problems? I wouldn’t want him roughed up too badly.
Mr. Sherman sounded relieved that I was pleased with Fab stepping in. “Since no one is contesting, I’ll have the estate wrapped up in a few months.”
“I’m happy everything will soon be official.”
“I’ll send you a copy of the court filings, and Ernest Whitman will also be sending you a final estate accounting.”
“I really appreciate all of this.”
“Call me if you need anything or have any questions.”
I lay against the pillows, scratching Jazz’s ears, relieved Tucker was out of my life. I never wanted to lay eyes on him again; the man who’d planned to ruin me and then kill me. Zach had said he wouldn’t be prosecuted. There was certainly no fairness in that. I’d bet my meager piggy bank that Zach had something to do with Tucker deciding not to make any more problems.
Against the white shower walls, my body was a gigantic black and blue mark, with tinges of healing yellow starting to show. I stepped under the warm water and let it spray all over me until my skin was wrinkly, obsessed with being clean after the grime of the trailer. Never before had bugs walked all over me, like their personal doormat. I was pleased my body smelled like the freesia fragrance of my favorite shower gel. The thought of anything snug panicked me a little so I slipped on a long hot pink tee shirt dress, deep slits up the side. I planned to sit outside by the pool, and enjoy the fresh air and sun, then go for a swim to stay cool. Maybe talk my mother into playing some poker, clean her out of a few dollars. She was quite the card shark, with her take no prisoners attitude.
Downstairs, Zach sat at the kitchen island with Mother, drinking coffee and eating a cinnamon roll. They’d certainly formed a bond.
Wait until Brad sees this
, I almost laughed out loud. He had no choice now. He’d have to come around.
“What’s for breakfast?” I asked from the stairs.
“I went to that wonderful Bakery Café this morning,” Mother said, “for egg soufflés and danish, and even picked up a couple of chicken Caesar salads for lunch.”
Zach helped me onto a stool. Mother handed me my coffee and a pecan braid. “You two will have to stop spoiling me,” I said.
“No way,” Zach said kissing me.
“Thank you.”
“For what?” He stared at me, trying to anticipate my next words.
“For getting Tucker out of my life. The only thing better would be telling me he’s going to jail.”
“Not unless Will agrees to testify against him. Seriously, I doubt that’ll happen. He’s lawyered up and not talking. As of right now, Will won’t be charged with the murder of Oscar Wyatt. All they have is your testimony, and it’s not enough. The biggest problem is there’s no independent evidence linking him directly to the crime.”
“Does this mean he’ll be getting out of jail sometime soon?” A feeling of panic swept over me. If Will got a second chance, he wouldn’t waste time killing me. Would I have to live my life with one eye over my shoulder?
“He’s looking at a minimum of twenty-five years here in Florida and after that another long sentence in Georgia. He’ll be an old man before he gets out, if ever.”
“How did you get Tucker to resign?” I looked at Zach.
“Don’t ask me. Fab informed me that she’d handle everything. The next thing I knew, she flew out the door with Slice behind her, and Tucker resigned as executor,” Zach laughed.
“Did she hurt him?” I asked, a big smile on my face.
“When I ran into Tucker yesterday, he had two black eyes,” he smirked. “Looked like Slice’s handiwork. Those two already had a past.”
“Soon as I’m back to normal, I’m throwing a big thank you pool party for everyone. You guys took care of everything for me, and continue to be on call.”
“You’ve done plenty for me, too, babe, most of which I haven’t been able to show my thanks in the way I want.” Our eyes locked in a sizzle of chemistry.
“Care to enlighten me?” Mother asked, breaking the sexual tension. She’d obviously been working around the kitchen, listening to our conversation.
“I planned on telling you today,” I reassured her. I hoped she wouldn’t regret asking to hear details, and once she got over the shock that she wouldn’t be angry.
“Are you two a couple?” She clearly wanted the answer to be ‘yes’.
“We have each other’s back,” I smiled at Zach.
“Maybe we should go out on another date,” Zach winked at me.
“I’d like that.”
“How’s your therapy going?” Zach asked.
“I didn’t like my therapist. I realize it’s arrogant when you think you’re smarter than the person helping you, but that’s how I felt. She had zero sense of humor, so I found a new one. I called him this morning, and we had a long talk.”
“Him?” Zach questioned suspiciously. “What kind of therapy happens over the phone?”
“The same kind that happens face to face. He has a flexible schedule and makes house calls.” I wasn’t going to confess that my new therapist was Doc Rivers. He’d find out sooner or later.
“Did talking help you?” he asked.
“Yes and he made me laugh a couple of times. The conversation wasn’t all tense and serious. When he told me I’d be able to put this whole drama behind me and move on, I believed him.”
Zach’s cell phone rang. We looked at each other knowing he had to leave. I was surprised he sent the call to voice mail.
“You know….”
I tried not to sulk. “Later.”
“Very soon.” He kissed me.
* * *
Finally the day came to return my mother to her friends and busy life. She looked bored and I felt guilty.
Together by the pool, I told her everything. From how I first met Zach, when he showed up on my patio with a gunshot wound, and every odd adventure in between. I took her to The Cottages and introduced her to Joseph and Miss January. I made sure she met Kitty. She wasn’t happy with me because I didn’t tell her ahead of time the cat was dead.
I was no match for Mother in cards. I now owed her a box of hand rolled cigars, my IOU. I’d surprise her with the same kind Zach gave her. We hugged good-bye and I started to cry. This experience made us closer than ever. We were mother and daughter, as well as friends.
“I’ll come this weekend and stay overnight. We can go to South Beach for dinner.”
“No crying. If you need anything, call me first. And no more hearing about things after the fact,” she said, tears in her eyes.
“Love you.” I waved as she drove away.
Chapter 37
Time to return to my daily routine. It was comforting to know my mother was only a short drive away. Brad would be home soon, and I expected he’d come and stay for a few days. He might stay even longer if I could find him a girlfriend. It would serve him right if I started meddling in his personal life.
It didn’t take me long to get tired of sitting around the house. I walked and swam everyday as part of my therapy. I could now walk without moaning and groaning. The bruises were nearly gone, fading from blue to yellow to nothing.
I knew just where I wanted to go on my first solo outing. Fab had called earlier and told me that Zach had decided to go home early to catch up on paperwork. Except for quick kisses we hadn’t had a single private moment since I’d gotten out of the hospital. We were always surrounded by people.
I called Jake’s, placed an order, and then ran upstairs to throw on a tropical print short skirt and a coral tee top. All the walking on the beach with Mother had left me tanned, so makeup wasn’t necessary. I added a touch of lipstick and shoved my hair into a clip.
Sandals in my hand, I looked forward to getting behind the wheel of my SUV. Mother insisted on doing all of the driving while she stayed with me. She wasn’t angry when I told her about my new life and all the things that had happened since arriving in The Cove. She was more hurt that I didn’t trust her.
Mother told me that Spoon had my SUV towed to his shop to do bodywork from the beating and banging it took. What she hadn’t said was that he’d returned it in mint condition. I inspected every inch and you couldn’t tell it had endured an evening of bumper cars.