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Cameron concentrated on tying down the final details of the campaign—print ads, TV and internet commercials, and the new design for the packaging. Kate’s agent had promised to see if some of his aging, but still famous clients would be interested in endorsing the product. She couldn’t have wished for a more perfect day until it got even better.
Ramona buzzed her at a little past four. “Detective Barrington is on the line and said you will really want to talk to him. Should I put him through?’
“By all means.”
Barrington’s excited voice came over the line. “Do you have a TV in your office?”
“I do. Why?”
“Turn it on and go to Channel 2. I think you will love what you see. I’ll wait for your reaction.”
With the Crystal Serenity in the background, film rolled as the reporter said, “The mystery of the disappearance of Barbara Shady, wife of Doctor Al Shady whose dead body was recovered from Grand Canal in Venice, has been solved.”
She walked over to a man who turned out to be Barrington and thrust the mic in his face. “Detective Barrington of the LAPD will fill us in on the details. Shady was not a victim, but I’ll let Detective Barrington tell you what he is able to release at this time.”
The camera panned to Barbara Shady wearing an auburn wig being led away in handcuffs, then moved back to Barrington who was filling in the facts for the reporter.
“Good job!” Cameron said. “And nice coverage for you. Thanks for believing in us.”
Barrington replied, “No, the thanks goes to you and your team. Outstanding job.”
WITH BARBARA IN CUSTODY thanks to Maggie’s friend’s daughter, the meeting that night was a victory celebration, but also a little regretful. They all agreed they would miss getting together. During the stressful time, a bond had been formed. It even included Clarence who was decked out in a red, white and blue scarf. He pranced around showing it off before he settled in front of the fireplace.
“Well, this has not been the trip I expected. When I came here it was only with the goal of hammering out the contract on the TV series and seeing a few clients. Instead I think our escapades the past week will wind up on the screen as an episode. Maybe Barbara, or whatever she wants to call herself, can watch it from prison. She might be clever, but not clever enough to mess with us.” Kate raised her glass of wine, and so did the others. Matt’s glass was filled with Perrier.
Cameron clinked her knife against her glass. “Listen up. This couldn’t have been done without our teamwork. Danny, Kate—your crime expertise. Maggie—well you sort of gave us what could be called the keys to the kingdom. We might not have found her without you. Matt—great work on following up with the bank and your other ideas, and last of all Colonel Mike and Clarence. Colonel, your wisdom and enthusiasm was so valuable and, Clarence, you gave us some comedy relief. Like Kate said, I’m kind of sorry it’s over and I sure hope we get some or all of our money back.
Their celebration was interrupted by the land line ringing. At first Cameron wasn’t going to answer, but when she looked at the display, she pressed the Talk button and said, “Hey Kim. What’s up? It’s pretty late for you.”
As she listened, she broke into a wide grin. “That’s fantastic. Tell Nathan thanks a million times, or should I say three million? Yes. I’ll tell everyone, and thanks again.”
“I’m sure you figured out that was Kim with some great news. Thanks to Nathan we’re going to recover all the money that bitch embezzled. More cause for celebration, and what could be better than a slice of Chocolate Decadence Cake?”
Maggie said, “Cami, I’m beginning to understand your mantra that chocolate cures everything, and the cake sounds wonderful. Bring it on because I’m not watching calories tonight.
KATE LEFT FOR SAN FRANCISCO the following morning, Danny met with Matt to solidify plans for the repairs to the canals, Maggie lucked into a great listing for a Twenty Million Dollar Beverly Hills estate owned by a movie producer. The Colonel found a new doctor who was able to alleviate some of the pain from his old injury, and Cameron launched the Sexy Seniors campaign with more success than anticipated.
This would have been a good place to end this story if there wasn’t more. But there was.