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“And, eventually, did,” said Jac. “So now I have accounted for all the players, but there are some extras we need to add in. In November, when James began to suspect something was going on, he confided in his brother, who let the information flow along the food chain. Monty needed to get him to stop, so when he found out about the special coffee that was his in. Candace had mentioned she wanted to get it for her husband but was finding it difficult for retail customers to get hold of it. He put in a warehouse order and gave it to her, one bag at a time, meaning he would have access to what Candace knew about things when he dropped the next bag, or took her to the occasional lunch.”
“I get it. The more your dad was checked out, the more your mom looked for companionship. It was really ingenious,” said Sharlee.
Jac continued. “He poisoned the coffee with a very low dose of Rohypnol. Because it was distributed unevenly in the coffee, some days were more or less fuzzy for James. That kept him out of the inventory problem. Since he only drank that coffee at work, his weekends were better.
“That’s why he was fuzzy. Mom was putting the coffee in his thermos. She isn’t a coffee drinker, so that she wouldn’t have been at risk. That’s where they got where I lived. Mom must have told them enough for them to find me.”
“Finally, the end. Who is the damn ringleader?”
“Robert “Bobby” Morton.”
“What? Royce’s brother?” Becky stood up. “He is always nice to me. He wouldn’t try to kill me or hurt my dad.”
“Bobby got in over his head as a teenager. You may have remembered that Karl took him in during high school to keep an eye on him and help give him some legal money. Well, he never let go of the connections and was selling meth at college. When he discovered that Karl was doing exotic animals last year, he used that as a springboard and insurance to get things done. The only one who knew that he was the ringleader, running the show, was his brother Royce.”
“Until Becky fixed his wagon,” said Carter, who kissed her.
“Until Becky got help from all of you. I would have given up and likely lost my father and mother in the process. I can’t thank you all enough.”
“No thanks necessary. You’re family, and this is a family business, so you need to get back to work.” The room erupted in laughter and playful teasing.
“Yes, sir.”
“Not until Monday. I have someplace we need to go this weekend.”
Jac sighed. “Already looking for another vacation? Fine. Monday it is.”
“Fucking hate that word.”
Jac and Mark spoke at the same time. “Language!”
DINNER WAS OVER ANDcleaned away. Spring and Florent took off to Spring’s favorite restaurant for their own dinner, and as they were exiting the front door, Spring stopped.
“Oh, Mr. Reynaud.”
“Jac. I keep telling you to call me Jac. You live in my home. You’re part of my family. You call me Jac.” His demeanor and tone told her he was earnest.
“Jac, when you were in your meeting, the gate security delivered a note that was sent to the house. I left it on the tray.” She pointed to the envelope and waved goodbye as Florent swept her through the front door.
Jac picked up the envelope. His friends were gathering their coats to leave, but when they saw the envelope, they gathered around him.
Garrett spoke. “Is it what we think it is?”
Jac grimaced. “Probably.” He opened the envelope barehanded. Experience had taught them that there were never any prints left behind but theirs.
“You didn’t invite me to your party and went on a trip without me. Guess I’ll have to gate crash.”
Mark yelled into the hallway. “Jessie just broke her water and has had her first real contraction. We are having a baby, thank God!”
The room was activated. Sharlee brought out a towel from the bathroom. “Trust me. You will need it.”
They helped Jessie with her coat and then helped Mark get Jessie in the car. After they had headed down the driveway, the rest gathered their things. It was going to be a long, exciting night.
Epilogue
Anew baby girl was exciting. Becky had always felt part of the group as they grew, but there had been something missing. She didn’t feel it anymore. She had witnessed Sharlee’s new baby, but now with the other women around, it felt like she was on the outside a little. With all they had just gone through, Becky knew she was part of everyone and everything this amazing group did, and yet...
Looking at the red, scrunched-up face of the newest member of their family, Anora Jensen slept peacefully as she was introduced to every member of her loving family. Her adoring fans spoke over themselves.
