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“Is there anything I can do for you?”
“How about finding another ‘mark,’ as you put it, and leaving Zoe alone?” Mason looked up at the heavens for help.
“Well, fine. I was just looking after ya.”
“I know and I appreciate your concern, but please stop.”
“Oh, alright. Besides, my boss is putting me on a real case.”
“I can’t wait to hear about it.” Mason was only half serious. He only cared that Louise didn’t meddle with his personal life any longer. A doctor was now walking toward Mason. “I must go. Good luck with your new job.” He ended the call before Louise could say another word. He wondered if he should tell Zoe. Tell her what? That he had an overly enthusiastic niece with a penchant for mysteries? Stalking? He thought better of it for now. At the moment he needed his leg tended to, and then he needed to find answers to the questions that would follow. His biggest concern was potential violations of the Building Safety Act. He would be blamed, and he would most likely lose his job.
* * *
Maggie began packing the clothes Alexis had put together for her. They really weren’t much different from what she usually wore, but these were a bit more climate friendly. She went through her pantry and stuffed packages of cookies, chips, protein bars, and bottled water in another bag. The food on the plane would be excellent, but these were supplies for their stakeout. She took one last look before she heaved the strap of the goodie bag onto her shoulder and almost toppled over. That ought to do it. She’d never been to the Dominican Republic and didn’t know what kind of snacks would be available. She didn’t want to take any chances. The bag must have weighed fifteen pounds. She lifted her suitcase, which weighed about the same. She was confident she had enough supplies for a few days. Then she drove to Pinewood, where they had agreed to meet.
Alexis had a much bigger suitcase, but she also had to dress according to her role. When she arrived at the farm, they went through the logistics again.
“Alexis, what is your story as to why you’re in the Dominican Republic and why you want a job there?” Myra asked.
“I just went through a very difficult time. My fiancé and I broke up and I went to Punta Cana to get away. While I was there I fell in love with the beautiful turquoise water, the soft breezes, and the relaxed atmosphere. One afternoon while I was having lunch, I overheard a couple talking about moving there and that many companies were trying to fill positions that were vacated after the last two hurricanes. I asked around about companies with ties to the U.S. and began a job search. I have no family to speak of and I was tired of the Detroit weather.”
“Brilliant!” Charles said.
“Always blame a man.” Myra chuckled.
“Oh, love, you don’t mean that.” Charles gave her a peck.
Myra rolled her eyes at Annie. Almost every one of their missions involved men behaving badly. Myra patted Charles on the cheek. “Not you, dear.”
Eileen, one of Avery’s operatives who had worked with the Sisters on other past missions, was the next to arrive. She, too, had a small suitcase filled with casual, comfortable clothes and one decent outfit should they get the occasion to be around other people.
It was eight A.M. Right on time, the five-passenger SUV pulled up and Charles and Fergus loaded the luggage and Maggie’s stash into the back. Hugs, kisses, and good wishes swirled about, along with a few woofs from Lady and her pups.
The women soon arrived at the small airport where Annie kept her private jet. The pilot was going through the final checklist as the caterer rolled a cart onto the plane. The interior of the jet was like a comfortable living room, decked out with a large-screen television, deep leather seats, a fold-down table, and plenty of outlets for their computers and devices.
As they were settling in, the flight attendant asked what they would like for breakfast. The choice was French toast or quiche, with fruit and yogurt on the side. Maggie asked if she could have both. No one flinched or said a word. Not even the flight attendant. She’d met Maggie several times before.
The pilot got on the speaker. “Wheels up in fifteen minutes. We should arrive in Grand Cayman at approximately one P.M. We’ll have a half hour layover and then continue to the Dominican Republic. Our flight time from Grand Cayman to Santo Domingo will be four hours. ETA approximately five thirty P.M. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. And, of course, should you need anything, Carol and Raul are at your service. Breakfast will be served when we reach our cruising altitude.” Carol and Raul strapped themselves into the jump seats while the others buckled their seat belts.
The women busied themselves checking their tablets. Myra turned to Annie and asked, “What do you make of this niece of Mason Chapman’s?”
“According to what Fergus just sent, she went to school here in the States. Her parents, Margaret and Cecil, worked for Lloyd’s of London, the insurance company, and were stationed in Boston, which is where Louise grew up. They eventually moved back to the U.K. but Louise decided to stay in the States and attended the University of Connecticut. She graduated a little over a year ago and is now employed by a small private investigation firm in New York.”
“Rather an odd choice for a young woman, wouldn’t you say?”
Annie peered over her reading glasses. “You make me laugh. Look at us! We’re not exactly conventional.”
Myra chuckled. “True.”
“Believe it or not, a lot of women are getting into the field,” Eileen said. “Take me, for instance. I always had an insatiable curiosity and loved murder mysteries. Murder, She Wrote was one of my favorite TV shows growing up. At first my parents thought there might be something wrong with me. They actually met with my guidance counselor!” She chortled. “But much to their surprise and relief, the counselor decided I was normal.”
“Hardly,” Maggie blurted.
“Excuse me?” Eileen raised her eyebrow. “You’re not exactly Nancy Normal.”
Myra and Annie burst out laughing. “Oh, we are so not normal!”
Annie continued. “Anyway, the company Louise works for does mostly cheater surveillance.”
