Page 74 of The Maverick (WaterFyre Rising #7)
CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE
VANESSA
Agnes, Joseph, and my mom told me they’d help with the funeral arrangements while I revised the painting for Madeline. I couldn’t get myself to call the morgue to talk about his burial. I just couldn’t do it.
My only saving grace was ensuring that Madeline paid for Attikus’s, Remington’s, and Grayson’s deaths. Audri lost her lover and brother in one day. I didn’t know how she was holding up.
Tell her your plan.
My girls needed to be part of this as much as I did. I wasn’t alone. I picked up my phone and sent a text to the group chat.
Vanessa: Got a plan. Can we meet?
Audri: Where?
Natalie: When?
Vanessa: In an hour? At my place—Attikus’s place.
Kiera: Be there soon.
Michelle: Not gonna miss it for anything.
Vivian: Should I bring anything?
Vanessa: No, thanks.
When the girls settled in my living room, the doorbell rang. I walked over and opened the door.
“ M? , what are you doing here?”
“I know what you’re up to.” She cupped the side of my face. “I want to help.” She stepped inside.
I didn’t want to involve my mother in this mess. What if things went wrong? She could be sent back to jail.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I closed the door.
She leveled a stare at me. “You’re my daughter. I know you. You want vengeance. I want it too.”
Tears filled my eyes. “I don’t want you involved.”
“I’m already involved. He was my son-in-law. He got me out of prison, gave me a new life, and asked me for permission to marry you.” She flared her nostrils. “I want these people to pay.”
“He asked you for permission?” I asked. “When?”
“When he told me about the fake marriage.” M? embraced me. “You did so much for me, Vanessa. My heart hurts for you. We do this together. We eliminateMadeline and President Collins, and The Trogyn will crumble.”
I couldn’t convince my mom to go home. She was stubborn like me, but having her perspective would help me avoid unseen obstacles.
She took my hand, and I led her into the living room.
All the girls had made themselves coffee or tea.
I embraced Audri and Natalie for a long moment.
We cried together, and that relieved some of the massive pressure in my chest.
When the tears dried up, Audri, Natalie, and I sat together on the long couch.
I blew out a breath. “The plan involves me and my painting.”
I told them my plan and what they could assist with, and they gaped at me.
“That’s dangerous.” Elena rubbed her growing stomach. “But my reporters will be ready to bombard the couple with questions. I’ll call in other media outlets that I trust.”
“Good idea because Madeline will only invite those who will do as she demands,” Michelle said. “I’ll write about the President and his wife’s corruption on my blog.”
“Great idea,” I said and looked at Vivian. “I need your high-tech devices.”
“Whatever you need.”
“I prefer you not put yourself in that situation,” said Kiera. “But I understand why you need to do this.” Her outgoing character had dimmed from all the grief in the air.
I didn’t have the energy to ask how the other boys were doing. We were all dealing with grief in our way.
The girls told me they had gathered a list of companies associated with Harris Pharmaceuticals and Harris Foods, LLC.
“Give it to the boys,” my mom said. “They’ll know what to do.”
Hurting these people was my way of getting justice. As for recovering, that would take years—probably a lifetime.
I turned to my mom. “I need you to get me some blueberries.”
“Blueberries?” Natalie asked.
“It’s Madeline’s favorite.”
“The Lunch Lady Club will take care of that,” M? said.
Who knew the Lunch Lady Club would have a hand in taking down members of The Trogyn?
“Can I see the painting?” Audri asked. She looked like a walking zombie. I didn’t dare look at myself in the mirror.
I took everyone to my studio.
“That’s a huge painting,” said Michelle.
“We’ll be there with you to help with all the details.” Vivian touched my arm.
“The First Lady is hosting an event to raise money for Brigham and Women’s Hospital.”
“That’s where she got her plastic surgeries done,” M? said.
“How do you know?” I asked.
She smirked. “I know a few things.”
When everyone left, my mom stayed behind. “Do you need anything else besides blueberries?”
“No, thanks.”
“How about Atropa belladonna , the berry from the nightshade family?”
How could she know what I was thinking? I was going to find them in the woods later.
“You have some?”
“No, but I know who grows them.”
“I’ll take some then. Thank you.” That would save me time.
She patted my hand. “I’m glad you’re using your botany knowledge for this.”