Madison Westin 02-Deception in Paradise (2 page)

Fab waved as she got in her car and peeled out of the driveway.

CHAPTER 2

“Where’s the fire?” Mother asked.

Mother looked good for her sixty years. She wore her short blond hair in a way that framed her face, and could pull the perfect outfit out of her closet in a minute. Mother was trim and tan, dressed in white capri pants and a red sweater set. She looked younger than all her friends. I tried clothes on and changed them until I had a pile on my bed before making a decision.

“I need to explain.”

“Really, Madison. Do you plan on making me stand outside?”

“Come in. I’m happy to see you.” I hugged her. “You look great.”

Mother walked into the kitchen and pulled a bottle of water from the refrigerator. “I know that look. You’ve done something and you don’t want me to find out. I thought we weren’t keeping secrets.”

“Just remember, this isn’t my fault.” Whininess must’ve been contagious because I sounded like Dickie.

Mother walked into the living room. “Hello, Mr. Vanderbilt.” She looked at me. “Did someone pass away?”

“Call me Dickie, Mrs. Westin. I prefer Richard, but no one seems to be able to remember.”

Mother pointed at Dickie and then glared at me. “Why is he handcuffed to your chair?”

“I’m going to let Dickie tell you.”

“I want to hear it from you,” she demanded. “Uncuff him. You can’t do this.”

“I didn’t. Fab did. I walked in from my self-defense class, and he was taped and tied up.”

“Fab?”

I told Mother everything Fab had told me… well, almost everything. I hit the highlights, making it sound like the complete story.

“What was he arrested for?”

I pointed to Dickie. “You tell her.”

“Sex in public,” he whispered. Fear written all over his face; the little color he had turned his skin the same color as non-fat milk.

Mother made a snorting noise that I knew was choked-back laughter. She looked at me and raised her eyebrows.

“If convicted, he’ll have to register as a sex offender,” I said.

Dickie started to cry.

“You’re a respected businessman,” Mother scolded him. “Why would you do that?”

“You don’t understand.” He wiped his nose with his long skinny fingers, and then rubbed them on his shirt.

I tossed him the Kleenex box and made a mental note to disinfect anything he touched.

“Raul had broken up with me. I got drunk at Benzo’s party. You know Benzo. Someone gets arrested at every one of his parties, but I didn’t think it would be me. I was sitting out by his pool, feeling sorry for myself, and before I knew it, my pants were down around my ankles, and honestly, I didn’t know the neighbor was watching.” He started to cry again.

I stared at my feet and bit my lip. I would not laugh. This was worse than anything my brother Brad or I ever confessed to.

“She called the police,” he continued. “I never thought I could get arrested for… well… honestly, I never thought about it.”

Mother was a champion in a crisis; she never blinked. “Do you have a lawyer?”

“Tucker Davis.”

“You need a better lawyer,” I told him. I’d had unpleasant dealings with Tucker in the past and barely survived.

“He’s the only lawyer I know. Raul can’t find out about any of this, or there won’t be any chance that he’ll take me back.”

“Explain that you were drunk and distraught over the break-up,” Mother suggested.

“Would you accept that lame excuse, Mother?”

“Madison, you’re not helping.” She turned back to Dickie. “Do you mind me asking why you broke up?”

“I’m a sex addict. Raul thinks I haven’t taken therapy seriously, and that’s why I cheat.”

I stared at him. “
A what
?”

“Shh, Madison. It’s none of our business.”

Now she decides it’s none of our business. Did she forget she’s the one who asked the question
?

“Last week, Raul forgot something at the office. When he walked in, he caught us drunk and bouncing on the desk.”

“That’s a relationship killer. Trust me. I know,” I said.

“Did Dickhead cheat on you?” Mother asked.

Dickhead was a nickname my family gave my ex-husband. Mother never knew half of the insanity of the train wreck that was my marriage. Since moving to Florida, I had moved on, and it felt great.

“Mother, that was a long time ago.” I looked at Dickie. “You need to get your sorry act together if you want Raul back.”

“I’m sorry, Madison,” Dickie said. “I love Raul, and I’m trying to convince him I’ll do whatever it takes.”

“I’m not the one you need to convince.”

“Honey, you should have told me. I would’ve been there for you.” Mother hugged me.

I held up my hand. “Stop, Mother. Good luck, Dickie. If Raul forgives you, he’s truly an incredible man.” I felt bad for a man I hadn’t met. That was a lot of forgiveness to ask of a person.

“This seems bad right now,” Mother told Dickie. “But with a good lawyer, I’m sure the charges can be plea bargained. The sex offender thing seems excessive.”

“The district attorney is running for office next year. He’s taking a hard stance on crime,” Dickie said.

“What does Tucker say about your case?” I asked.

“He didn’t seem very optimistic.”

“You should think about getting someone else,” I said.

“I don’t know anyone else. Tucker scares me,” Dickie admitted. “Can you recommend anyone?”

“I’ll call Cruz Campion,” I offered. “He’s a top criminal lawyer. If anybody can help you, it would be him.” I couldn’t resist the opportunity to stick it to Tucker Davis.

“What about Tucker?” Dickie asked with a look of fear.

“Trust me, you’re better off without Tucker,” I said. “Just because he’s well known around here doesn’t mean anyone would retain his services. Most of his clients are hardcore criminals.”

“If you think Mr. Campion’s a better lawyer, then I would appreciate you calling him,” Dickie said. “Raul and I have worked hard to build our business, and if I ruin it, he’d never forgive me. I finally get that I have to stop being so stupid.”

I picked up my cell phone. Cruz told me once that having a good criminal lawyer on speed dial would come in handy; I thought he was arrogant, but it turned out to be a good tip. “This is Madison Westin. If Mr. Campion’s not busy, may I speak with him?” I waited on hold only a minute or two.

“What can I do for you, Madison Westin?”

“I have a new client for you. Dickie Vanderbilt, the owner of Tropical Slumber Funeral Home, is in desperate need of a good lawyer. You told me yourself you’re the best.”

“Yes, I am.” He laughed. “Gossip was rampant at the courthouse this morning when he was a no show.”

“He’s here at my house now. Fab’s coming back to turn him into the jail. His current lawyer is Tucker Davis, but I convinced him you’re the superstar.”

“Put him on the phone.”

I handed Dickie the phone. “Here, Cruz wants to talk to you.”

I walked into the kitchen, opened a drawer, and helped myself to two aspirin. “Would you like some?” I asked my mother.

“I find Jack cures even my worst headache.” She reached in the cupboard for her favorite whiskey. “Madison, did you think about telling Fab, ‘No’?”

I shrugged. “Mother, when do I say no?”

Dickie yelled from the living room, “Mr. Campion wants to talk to you, Madison.”

“What’s the update?” I asked Cruz.

“I’d like him to stay overnight with you,” Cruz said. “In the morning, I’ll meet him at the courthouse, and he can turn himself in.”

“Did Dickie explain why he’s at my house?”

“Tell Fab there’s a slight change in plans. Tell her to do it for old time’s sake, and I’d consider it a personal favor.”

“Don’t worry. He’ll be there.”

“I’ll fax Tucker and let him know he’s out and I’m in.” Cruz laughed. “I wish I could be there to see the look on his face when he reads the memo.”

Dickie sleeping in my house was my punishment for one-upsmanship of Tucker, but probably the only way to appease Fab. “I’ll see you in the morning,” I told Cruz. “Okay, Dickie, you can stay tonight. Just know that if you even think of leaving, Fab or I will shoot you.”

“I won’t be a problem,” Dickie promised. “What about Miss Merceau? Do you think she’ll agree?”

“I’ll take care of Fab,” I said with more confidence than I felt.

“You’ll take care of Fab how?” she asked, walking in through the French doors from the back patio.

“Did you knock?”

Fab shook her head. “Well?”

“There’s been a change of plans. Cruz represents Dickie now. He wants him to stay here overnight and turn himself in in the morning.”

“Are you out of your mind?” Fab huffed. “What about Brick?”

“Cruz told me to tell you to do it for old time’s sake. I want to hear about that later.”

She gave me a slight smile. “I’ll have to call Brick.” Fab took her cell phone out of her pocket and went out to the patio.

“Tonight or tomorrow, he’s turning himself in,” I called after her. I turned to Dickie. “Seriously, you can’t run. There are too many people sticking their necks out for you.”

“Don’t worry. He’s not going anywhere,” Mother said. “I’m spending the night, and you better not even look at the door.” She stared Dickie down until he looked away. “I know how to use a gun, too.”

Dickie stood and took a step back, bumping into the wall. “All of you are crazy.”

Fab returned from the patio. “Brick said you owe him, Madison. I’m staying overnight, so that’s three women and three guns,” she said to Dickie. “These two would just think about shooting you; I’ll do it and think about it later. Tomorrow, you’ll be in court if I have to tie you up and drag you.”

“Can I lie down?” Dickie asked. “I feel nauseous.”

“Upstairs, first door on the right. I hope you feel better.”

“I’ll be sleeping on the couch in case you get any ideas,” Fab yelled.

CHAPTER 3

Mother lay next to me against a mountain of pillows on my king size bed, staring out the window. My bedroom window gave a great view of the swimming pool and colorful pots of tropical flowers.

“Did you get any sleep?” she asked.

“I tossed and turned mostly. I waited for Dickie to make a run for it and shots to ring out.”

“She wouldn’t have killed him.” Mother patted my leg. “This isn’t one of those cases where you can drag him in dead.”

“Thanks for making me laugh.” She was the kind of mother you wanted in your foxhole.

“Don’t get me wrong. While lying here, I thought, ‘I’m glad I’m not Fab’s mother.’ I could see where one of her would be equal to four, maybe five, children. When you and Brad got into trouble, it was for stupid stuff, like throwing Mr. Simm’s rock garden in the street.”

I gave her my best innocent look. “As I recall, neither one of us copped to that.”

“I’m not sure when you two decided I was the town idiot. Honestly, I chose to ignore that the two of you lied. I was embarrassed. We would’ve had to move. I couldn’t have looked at him every day after that.”

“Is that why you made us pick up all the rocks?”

“I was happy it turned out to be a hot day, and it took you a few hours to clean up the mess, and proud when you stayed and helped him rearrange the ugly things.”

“Trust me, we never thought about touching Mr. Simm’s rocks again. Besides, after the rock caper, he crept around always looking out his windows, so we started going the long way around the block to avoid going by his house.” We laughed.

“What are your plans for today?” Mother asked.

“I’m going to meet Fab and Dickie at the courthouse and introduce Dickie to Cruz. Cruz was much more confident about the resolution of the case than Tucker.”

“I don’t want you mixing it up with Tucker,” Mother said. “Leave that sleeping dog alone, lest you wake him and he mauls you.”

“Good point. After that, I’m going to The Cottages to check on my regulars. I need to make sure nothing happened I don’t know about.”

“I’m going home. Poker girls are coming to my house tonight. You’re always welcome, just bring money.” Mother winked. “If you need anything, Coral Gables isn’t the end of the earth.”

“I’m happy you stayed.” I kissed her cheek.

I was surprised and relieved when I went downstairs to find Fab and Dickie had already left, leaving a note on the counter.

* * *

First thing in the morning wasn’t the ideal time to find metered parking at the courthouse. The parking lot was my only option, and I got one of the two spaces left on the roof. I raced up the stairs to Superior Court, happy to see that the line for the metal detector was short. I hurried to the elevator and took it to the third floor. When I stepped off, Cruz and Dickie sat on a bench, outside of the courtroom. I breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Fab appeared out of nowhere. “That was nice of you, calling Cruz for him.”

“I did it to screw Tucker. Just because his plan to screw me out of The Cottages for his ugly-ass shopping mall failed doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten.” I changed the subject. “Were you and Cruz involved?”

“Back when.”

I’d have to pry the information out of her. She wasn’t one to volunteer. I turned to look at Cruz, admiring the view. He wore slick like a badge of honor. His expensive suit didn’t do him the same justice as the well-worn pair of jeans I’d once seen him wear. “Is he as good looking with his clothes off as on?”

“Better.”

I forced myself to stop staring. “Nice.”

“It’s always hot with the high intensity ones.” Fab looked Cruz up and down. “It’s all fun and games when we’re banging out the animal sex. Then, when we’re out of bed, fully dressed, it’s blah, blah, blah about how I’m a handful.”

“And Marco?” Marco was Fab’s latest boyfriend, but I hadn’t met him yet.

“We haven’t tried on a real relationship yet. We live together, but undercover work doesn’t leave a lot of at-home time. So far, we haven’t had the ‘honey, you need to lose the crazy’ talk.”

“When do I get to meet him?” The subject of Marco had always been off limits.