Page 87 of The Secrets We Treasure

Laci began blinking as she cinched her lips in a smile that looked like it might crack her face. “This is a private gathering.”

“Don’t mind Laci. She’s just dumbfounded.” Treasure jabbered like she was one of the women with their colorful dresses and hair curled just so. “You see, Laci sent her hired man to kill me last night, but things didn’t quite turn out like she expected.” Murmurs rippled through the room as Treasure talked over them. “In fact, they completely backfired.” She looked at Laci, whose expression had gone rigid. “Leo’s in jail, by the way. He was very forthcoming. He told me all about how you hired him to spike Waylon’s insulin and push Aimee Hamlin Nash off a cliff where she fell to her death.”

The women looked at Laci in shock.

“Get out of my house,” Laci seethed.

Treasure tipped her head. “That’s just the thing. I don’t think it’ll be your house much longer. It’ll go to the rightful owners—Samuel and Megan Bradshaw.” A dainty smile draped her lips. “Oh, and in case you’re wondering how Greer and I are doing, we’re terrific. Couldn’t be better.” She put a finger to her chin. “In fact, Greer should be here any minute. And he’s brought plenty of friends in blue.”

Laci jumped to her feet like she was going to run. Before she could take the first step. Ian and his officers rushed in. “Laci Bradshaw,” Ian began, as he threaded through the women and handcuffed Laci, “you are under arrest and have the right to remain silent …”

Greer rushed up to Treasure and gave her a large grin. “You were great. See, I knew you could act.”

“Thanks. I suppose one thing I’ve had plenty of experience with is catty women.” She made a point of looking at Laci, who was eyeing them with a surly enmity. Melancholy overtook Treasure. Learning the depth of Laci’s treachery was as painful as having a loved one die. Maybe even more so in some ways. At least when she lost Ben, Treasure could find solace in the fact that he was a God-fearing man who’d lived a good life. Laci was blackhearted through and through.

Treasure watched as Ian led Laci out. She wouldn’t even look at Treasure and Greer as she passed. Treasure glanced at the novel one of the ladies was holding. “A murder mystery?”

The woman nodded hesitantly.

“Appropriate,” Treasure said dryly. “Does it have a happy ending?”

“I—I’m not sure. I haven’t finished reading it,” the woman answered.

“It does,” another lady piped in.

Treasure pursed her lips. “Good. That’s how it should be.” She turned to Greer. “It’s nice to know we’re finally getting our happy ending.”

A crooked grin tugged at his lips as his arm encircled her waist. “Who says it’s the end? It’s just the beginning.”

“Yes, it is,” she said heartily.

He gave her a speculative look. “Stop number one is done. You ready for stop number two?”

“I am.” She frowned. “More than anything, I’m ready to be done with all the drama.”

His eyes sparkled with anticipation. “Let’s not dally here too long. You and I have a date with the beach. We’ve got some rays to soak up before we fly out in the morning.”

They were going to Philly. Treasure wanted to get home to Tray ASAP. She was looking forward to Greer meeting Tray, Helen, and Kevin. They were starting a new chapter of their lives. She was more than ready to leave the old behind. A smile curved her lips. “Let’s get the hard stuff done, so we can get to the good stuff.”

* * *

It was a little before one p.m. when Treasure and Greer strode into the foyer of The Oliver Hotel. She’d called Ethan earlier this morning and told him that she was shifting their meeting to this afternoon. He wasn’t happy about it, but she left him no choice.

“It looks different than I remember,” she murmured, nostalgia overtaking her.

“Probably because of the renovations.”

“That’s right.” They were meeting in the restaurant of the hotel, located in the back, facing the beach. It was odd to think that her father had built this hotel and that Banks Chasing was her half-brother. Would she feel a connection to Banks when she saw him? Would she ever see him? Only if she made a point of doing so. She had no intention of contacting Banks anytime soon, that was for sure.

Greer picked up on her thoughts. “You’ll get through this. One step at a time.”

After they’d come together in the rainstorm the night before, Greer and Treasure had gone back into the house with the bag of money. They talked at length about everything that Treasure had learned. Also, they talked about what to do with the money. Treasure explained that she had planned to give it back to Francie, but Greer balked, saying that he had a better idea. He wanted to give the money to Barbara and Cherry so they wouldn’t have to continue working. Of course, Barbara and Cherry both refused it, stating emphatically they had all they needed and enjoyed going to work. In the end, Greer decided to hang on to it for a while until they could come up with a good use for it. After all, it wasn’t as if Treasure and Greer needed the money. As far as Treasure was concerned, the money was tainted, and she didn’t intend to use a penny of it. But whatever Greer ultimately decided was fine with her.

The young hostess gave them a warm smile as they stepped up to the stand. “For two?” the girl asked.

Greer looked past her. “We’re meeting some people. There they are.”

The girl nodded. “Enjoy your lunch.”

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