Page 158 of The Body in the Backyard

“In that case,” Josie said, turning back to Bella, “I’m going to science your face if you don’t get out of mine.”

“Okey-dokey. Bye!” Unconcerned with being threatened, Bella waved and wandered back into the house.

“Damn, that felt good,” Josie said. “I need a snack.”

“I too would like a snack,” Gabe admitted.

Mrs. Penny poked Nick with her cane. “Happy hour debriefing?”

“For fifty grand? You deserve happy-hour-steak-night-debriefing,” he said, giving his business partner a one-armed hug.

35

9:07 p.m. Monday, November 4

Riley was happily buzzed on cocktails and steak. She had her dog’s head in her lap, a gorgeous diamond ring on her finger, and some of her favorite people gathered around the dining room table with her. It was amazing the difference a few hours, a good meal, and an engagement could make in a woman’s outlook.

Mrs. Penny pushed her chair back with an earsplitting screech and stood up. “Imma make a toast,” she slurred, raising her glass. “To fifty Gs.” The woman had mixed celebratory drinks strong enough to intoxicate an entire platoon on shore leave…or lay waste to a private investigation practice.

“Hear, hear!” Nick said, squeezing Riley’s hand. “And to Mrs. Penny for being a diabolical genius and getting us paid.”

“To Nick and Riley on their engagement,” Gabe toasted as he listed hard into Weber.

“To me being a bridesmaid,” added Lily.

“To getting older but not wiser,” Fred said.

“To taking another criminal off the street,” Weber said, doing his best to remain upright under Gabe’s weight. Due to his recent hangover from hell, the detective had wisely decided to stick with water.

“You’re so law-abiding it’s annoying,” Nick complained.

Mr. Willicott stood on shaky legs and raised his glass. “Anyone seen my Old Spice?”

“I don’t think he knows how this toast thing works,” Fred whispered at full volume.

All eyes came to Riley. She sighed and raised her glass. “To us. I won’t say it was a pleasure going through the last few days with all of you, but Iwillsay that it means a lot to me that you were all there to suffer with. I love you guys.”

There was a chorus of “aw.”

“Oh, and thank you for helping me take back some of my ex-husband’s money, because that wasreallysatisfying,” she added.

“Woo-hoo!” Lily cheered.

“We’re the coolest,” Fred hooted.

“I stabbed a guy today,” Josie said.

“Okay, Nicky. Story time. How did you make the connection from Griffin to some cosmetic surgeon in Colombia?” Brian demanded as he pushed his empty plate away.

“Wait. He didn’t let you in on it either?” Riley asked.

Brian shook his head. “He wanted to impress you. Although I doubt getting a bunch of semi-innocent people maimed or murdered would have had the desired effect.”

“That wasn’t my fault. Weber was supposed to get the asshole as he was breaking in,” Nick pointed out. “You think I would have invited the nice suspects if I’d thought there’d be trouble?”

“I don’t know. Maybe? It depends on your mood,” Josie said.

“How about you just tell us how smart you are?” Riley suggested.