Millicent Davidson’s funeral went off the way she’d planned it. Vernon did threaten to come home, but Rebecca told him that if he did, she’d never vote the company stock the way he wanted. He didn’t show up.
All of the ministers, the priest, and the rabbi did come and were dumfounded when Rebecca gave them each a thousand dollars in cash as per her aunt’s instructions. The gardener thanked her seven times for the money. Wilma cried when Rebecca gave her the ten thousand. Someone made a toast, a man hammered the plaque into place, and the caterers Rebecca had hired served the group at lace-covered tables scattered across the back lawn and on the patio. She had decorated each table with a pink rose centerpiece and white candles.
The guests trickled away three hours later. Finally only Erica, Justine, Nick, Wilma, and Rebecca were left. Wilma darted in and out, giving instructions to the caterers.
Erica had Nick cornered near the swimming pool. He didn’t seem to mind, though. He laughed at something she said.
Rebecca and Justine sat in white chairs on the patio.
“Do you think Aunt Millicent would be pleased?”
“I think she’d be delighted. You carried out her instructions exactly as she put them down.” She looked at Rebecca. “Did your husband object?”
“He protested a little, but I was determined for Aunt Millicent to have her last wish.”
“Good for you, Rebecca.” She sipped the remainder of the champagne from her glass.
“Did he give you a hard time over the papers you found?”
“So much was going on, I didn’t tell him I had found them. He had to go out last night, and I didn’t hear him when he came in.” She smiled. “I’d moved him into the guest room, and he was too upset about that to think of anything else.”
“I have an appointment with Willard Brookmeyer, and I want to look over those papers before I see him. If you don’t mind, that is.”
“I’ll get them for you.”
“Can I get something for you, Ms. Rebecca?” Wilma came onto the porch.
“If you like, Wilma. The papers you found are in my closet under a stack of sweaters on the third shelf. Will you please bring them to Ms. Crouse?”
“I’ll be happy to.” She turned at the door. “Before I go, can I get either of you something else to drink?”
“No, thanks, Wilma,” Justine said. “I’ve had my limit. I’m driving.”
“Ms. Rebecca?”
“Thank you, but no. I’m fine.”
Erica and Nick ambled toward them. She had her arm linked through his. “Rebecca, I’m glad I finally got to see Nick. I do remember him from high school. We didn’t have any classes together because I wasn’t as smart as you, but I remember how well he played football.”
Rebecca smiled. “I’m happy I could reunite you two.”
Nick shook his head and smiled at her. “It was a lovely service, Rebecca.”
“I simply followed Aunt Millicent’s instructions. She planned everything.”
“Aunt Millicent was a good old girl. We all liked her.” Erica dropped to a chair beside Justine.
Nick chose one beside Rebecca.
“Have you heard how Max Garvey is doing?” Rebecca asked him.
“He’s still unconscious, but hanging on. His heart did stop last night, but they were able to bring him back. The doctors say every day he lives gives him a better chance of making it.”
“Vernon told us how bad he was at breakfast,” Erica said. “He went to see Max’s wife last night.”
“I feel sorry for Robyn,” Rebecca said.
“I know. I talked with her yesterday, but she was too distraught to make a lot of sense,” Nick said.
Justine broke in. “Have they charged Max Garvey with Mindy’s murder yet?”
“No. Carter still insists Max did it, though.”
“Will they charge him, then?”
“I don’t know. Bernie said an officer friend told him they’re still investigating.”
Wilma reappeared. “Here are the papers, Ms. Crouse.” She handed them to Justine.
“Thank you.” Justine took the folder and glanced inside. “I think you’re right, Rebecca. This looks like a set of books.”
“I thought so.”
“Is that a set of books showing profits and losses at your company?” Nick looked at Rebecca.
“Yes. Why do you ask?”
“Millicent told me about a set of books Mindy hid. She’d been trying to find them.”
Stunned, Rebecca stared at him. “You mean Vernon didn’t hide them?”
“Millicent said Mindy had gotten them away from Armfield and hidden them where he’d never look.”
“Wilma found them in the servants’ quarters when she was cleaning.” Rebecca smiled. “That means Vernon won’t know we’ve found them.”
“That’s right,” Nick said.
“I’ve been worried what he’d do when he realized Wilma had moved in,” Rebecca said.
“This means you can relax a bit now,” Erica said.
Justine stood. “I’m going back to the office to study these. I have a lot of work to do before I meet with Brookmeyer.”
Nick stood. “It was nice to meet you, Ms. Crouse.”
“Oh, come on now. We’re all friends of Aunt Millicent. She’d want us all to be on a first name basis,” Erica said to both of them.
“Erica is right,” Justine said. “Call me Justine, Nick.”
“I’ll do that.”
Erica jumped up. “I’ll see Justine to the door, Rebecca. Nick has something he wants to say to you.”
“Thank you, Erica.” To Justine, she said, “Thank you for all the help you gave me in arranging this.”
“It was my pleasure. I’ll be back in touch.” She indicated the papers.
Rebecca nodded.
“You have two nice friends there,” Nick said.
“Yes, I do.” She turned to face him. “You have something you want to talk to me about?”
“I just want you to be extra careful. And before you ask why, I’m going to tell you.”
She laughed. “You knew I’d ask, didn’t you?”
“Yes.” He leaned toward her. “Gordon Jones is missing. He works for me, and he’s one of the people I recognized in the DVD. He called in last night to say he was in position to watch the post office box in Kernersville where the sex ring has the DVD orders sent. No one has seen or heard from him since. He didn’t come in this morning, and his girlfriend called to say he didn’t come home last night.”
“Maybe he left town.”
“I don’t think so. Not without Tammy. He’s in love with her, so he would have taken her with him.”
Rebecca dropped her head. “Where’s it all going to end?”
“I’m not sure, but I do believe it’s coming to a head. I don’t know why I think that, but I can just feel it.”
Wilma came out onto the patio. “There’s a phone call for you, Mr. Quimbley.” She handed him the portable phone.
Rebecca could only hear Nick’s end of the conversation.
“When? How?” he asked. “Damn, I was afraid of something like that. I’ll be right there.”
A feeling of dread draped itself over her.
He ended the call and turned. “That was Bernie. Gordon Jones’ body has just been found stuffed inside the trunk of his car parked at Hanes Mall.”
“Oh, Nick.”
“Promise me you won’t stay here alone, Rebecca. Not even for a few minutes.”
“Why?”
“Trust me, please.”
She looked into his brown eyes. “I do trust you.”
“Good.” Without warning, he leaned over and brushed his lips over her cheek. “I’ll be in touch as soon as I can.
Stunned, Rebecca touched her cheek as he left through the side yard.