It was early afternoon on Saturday, a day we’d been looking forward to as a family. My partner, Devon, and I made sure we had the day off—murder cases or not. It was Meg’s fortieth birthday, a milestone, and we weren’t about to let her forget it. Mom, my sister, Marie, and I had been planning the event for weeks, and after getting a promise from my brother-in-law, Jeff, not to slip up, we asked him to invite his and Meg’s friends to our family home for the party. The cousins would play with each other and Gus, the adults would cook and drink, and everyone would enjoy the afternoon well into the night. Designated drivers and babysitters were attending to help if needed.
The weather couldn’t have been more perfect as we set up the party space that went from the kitchen out to the deck and flowed down to the backyard. Wispy clouds and a bright-blue sky promised a day of uninterrupted outdoor entertainment. Streamers, black balloons, and signs reminding Meg of her age were taped to every door and tacked to every tree. She would get the business from us because that was the kind of family we were. Everyone got roasted on their special day. It was a rite of passage in the Cannon family, and Meg would happily suck it up and take her turn.
At three o’clock, I received the text I’d been anticipating from Jeff. He said they were en route and would reach the house in fifteen minutes. All the guests had parked on the next block then walked to the house to hide until Jeff, Meg, and the kids came in. It would be the typical surprise birthday party but one everybody enjoyed.
In a quick return text, I reminded Jeff that they needed to come in through the front door. As far as Meg knew, we were having a simple family birthday party with burgers and hot dogs on the grill, gifts, cake, and ice cream. Deep down, I was sure she knew better.
The guests headed into the den to wait while Marie, Mom, Rue, and I watched out the window. When Jeff’s SUV rounded the corner, I yelled out that as soon as they walked in, the entire group needed to jump out and wish Meg a happy birthday.
“Here we go, everyone! They’re coming up the sidewalk. Let them get in the door before you jump out.”
Whispers and chuckles sounded until I shushed everyone, then it was dead silent. As usual, Meg just walked in, then she nearly hit the ceiling when twenty-five people poured out of the den and yelled “Happy Birthday!”
She turned ten shades of red, punched Jeff, then punched me and Marie. She wagged her finger at Mom while we all got a good laugh at her expense.
“What the hell! You guys got me good.”
“And the party is just beginning,” I reminded her.
Meg groaned. “Just wait, brother. Your fortieth is the last one, and you’ll pay dearly.”
We all headed to the backyard, and by the look on her face, Meg was truly surprised. “Wow! This is awesome. You guys went above and beyond what was necessary.”
“No way,” Marie said. “I remember my fortieth, and nobody had mercy on me. It’s your turn.”
Meg laughed. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”
I grinned at the kids, who were already running around the yard, chasing and being chased by Gus. They squealed in delight, and the look on Mom’s face was priceless. Birthdays and holidays made family time so important.
Rue and I headed to the grill with the platters of dogs and burgers while Jeff and Meg mingled with guests. Marie and Mom set out the appetizers, condiments, and beverages. The tables and chairs had been set up earlier.
Rue watched the grill while I went inside and started the playlist of Meg’s favorite classic rock tunes. She blew me an air-kiss when I stepped back outside.
So far, the day was going perfectly, and after the meal, the roasting would begin. That was the part I looked forward to the most.
My phone vibrated in my pocket, meaning a text had come in, so I slipped away to a shady spot to view the screen. I imagined it had to be from someone at the precinct, yet they all knew we were celebrating Meg’s birthday. I tapped the message, and it was from our boss, Royce. It was a heads-up that might need our attention tomorrow or Monday when our workweek began. He said a lone high heel was found on the sidewalk only a block from the bar district, and a ticketed car had sat at the curb overnight a hundred feet farther down the street. I grimaced and scanned the yard, and since nobody was watching me, I made a quick call.
“Hey, Boss,” I said when Royce picked up. “What do you know about the ticketed vehicle?”
“It’s a 2012 blue Honda Civic that belongs to a twenty-three-year-old single female named Valerie Dawson. SVU tracked down her family, and they gave them a few names to call.”
“Friends of hers?”
“Yep. So far, she’s considered unaccounted for. If she doesn’t pop up by the end of the day, especially because of that high heel lying on the sidewalk, her parents are going to fill out a missing person report.”
“Did they identify that shoe?”
“The parents didn’t, but one friend, Sherry Lyman, who she was out with last night, said Valerie was wearing black heels.”
“So I assume the high heel was black?”
“That’s correct. For now, it’s out of our hands, but I wanted you to be aware. I’m sure SVU will be looking for cameras in the area and at the last bar the girls were at.”
“Which was?”
“Sparky’s, and they closed at two a.m.”
“Got it.”
“So, how’s the party going?”
“Couldn’t be better. Meg is in for the roasting of her life after we eat.”
Royce chuckled. “As she should be. Have a great time and tell her happy birthday for me.”
“Will do.” I hung up and rejoined Devon at the grill. It looked like the first round of burgers and dogs were about done.
“Where’d you disappear to?” Rue asked.
“Curiosity got the best of me. A text came in from Royce alerting me to a possible missing twenty-three-year-old woman.”
Devon frowned. “Why us? Doesn’t sound like our department.”
I shook my head. “I know. Just a heads-up on his part. Evidently, a lone high heel was found about a hundred feet from her overnight and ticketed parked car.”
“Shit.”
I swatted the air. “It isn’t our case, and today is all about Meg. I probably shouldn’t have called Royce, and if anyone other than you knew I did, I’d be in big trouble.”
“Nobody is going to hear it come from my mouth. Anyway, the first burgers and dogs are hot off the grill.”
“Good, and I’ll let the ladies decide who goes first.”
We spent the next hour eating and enjoying everyone’s company. Birthday cake, coffee, and juice for the kids came after that. The roasting, some containing colorful stories and memories, would take place over drinks later. During that time, the kids would be in the house watching movies and playing video games with the sitter.
The meal, the opening of gifts, and even the off-color jokes aimed at Meg would make it a birthday she wouldn’t soon forget.
Everyone had a great time, and the crowd began to thin around ten o’clock. While the cousins dozed on the couch, the remaining grown-ups relaxed, reminisced, and enjoyed a few bottles of wine. We called it a night at eleven thirty, a respectable hour, and Meg’s babysitter drove the family home.
I said good night to Rue, told him I would talk to him the next day, and made sure he was fine to drive. The trip from my house to his own was under seven minutes.
Mom and I cleaned up while Marie got the kids in their jammies and off to bed.
“What a great party that was.” Marie, who had just come downstairs, sighed then pitched in with the cleanup.
I laughed. “And Meg took all that razzing like a trouper.”
“I raised strong kids,” Mom said. “You three can take anything.”
“Like you can’t? You’re the toughest seventy-year-old I know.”
Mom grinned at me. “Thanks, honey, but you kind of force it out of us.”
Marie patted Mom on the back. “Good one, Mom. Guess Meg isn’t the only one who deserves to be razzed.”