Page 184 of Guarding Grace

Terry joined the head-shakers.

“That’s not good,” Duke said.

I leaned close Terry. “Why?”

“Because it was a complaint from us that got Victor punished by the old man. These guys have long memories.”

Lucas obviously heard Terry’s comments. “At least for a while, he’ll have his hands full getting control of the organization.”

To me, that didn’t sound very reassuring. “Do you think Victor killed his father?” I asked Wellbourne.

The cop twisted his water glass. “Nobody’s talking. Even if the autopsy indicates poisoning, there’s no way we’ll get any information out of them to prosecute anybody in either the organization or the household.”

After dessert and coffee, I was ready for a nap. “Can we lie on the beach for a bit while I digest all this food?”

Terry shrugged. “You’re the birthday girl. You get whatever you want.”

“Really?” I whispered into his ear exactly the naughty thing I wanted when we got back home.

An honest to God blush came over my man as he smiled.

“Happy birthday to you…” Serena started the birthday song, with everyone joining in as a server carried a large chocolate cake to my place with a lit candle on top.

“You have to make a wish,” Serena reminded me after the song finished.

I blew the candle out with a quick puff. After the last few weeks, my wish was for some peace and quiet.

The cake was delicious, and I ate as slowly as I could to put off the inevitable.

“Come on,” Serena urged me. As soon as my fork hit the table, she took over, bringing me the first two presents to open. Of course they were from Duke and her.

I opened Serena’s first. “Wow.” I hugged her and said thanks for the set of silk pajamas I’d have to wait until Terry’s out-of-town assignment to have a chance to wear.

“So cool,” I exclaimed when I opened Duke’s to find tickets for two to Medieval Times. “I’ve never been.” Knights on horseback sounded fun.

“A little birdie mentioned that,” Duke said.

I continued opening present after present.

Constance got me a spa day certificate. Cool candlesticks with a base of a cat jumping for a ball came from Peyton.

“Yes, I’ll go with you,” Terry assured me when Winston’s present was shooting lessons.

Lucas was very uncomfortable accepting my hug when I opened his gift and found a certificate for a week in Hawaii, of all things. “You’re part of the family,” was his explanation.

Old Joe’s box was the biggest, and contained a cat tree. Clyde would probably love it.

It seemed everybody knew of my fondness for cats. Lt. Wellbourne’s box contained a set of cat coffee mugs.

Peyton gave Zane the side-eye when the envelope from him contained a gift certificate for Victoria’s Secret.

“What?” he complained. “Every girl should pamper herself with nice lingerie.”

Peyton rolled her eyes.

“How are we doing on timing?” Terry asked Lucas.

The bossman checked his phone. “Right on schedule.”