Part 34 (1/2)

”It'll give her something to read while she awaits her trial.” Baker wiped his fingers on his napkin. ”I've had a chance to go through all those letters we found in the s...o...b..x in Pam Fredericks's car. She was related to M. J. Collins, all right. The woman was Pam's aunt--her mother's sister.”

Tricia sighed. ”That made Eugenia and Pammy first cousins. Imagine that--she tried to blackmail her own cousin.”

A burst of laughter came from the crowd around the buffet table, reminding Tricia that this was supposed to be a happy occasion. ”Do we have to talk about Pammy anymore?”

”I still want to know why you did what you did--taking care of her in death,” Baker pressed.

Tricia gave another long sigh. ”Because . . .”

She didn't need to say anything. Officially, he needed no explanation.

Still . . .

She looked into his mesmerizing green eyes. ”It was the right thing to do.”

The hint of a smile touched his lips. ”Yes, it was.”

”Did you ever get that letter addressed to her at General Delivery?”

He nodded. ”It was from her brother. It said, in no uncertain terms, that she was not to contact him or any other member of the family again. Apparently she'd taken not only the diary and the letters we found in the trunk of her car, but she'd cleaned out her mother's jewelry box and taken other valuables the last time she'd visited.”

”Oh, my. Poor Pammy.”

”I'd say poor Pammy's family.”

The sound of a champagne cork popping was a welcome distraction. Bob Kelly held the bottle of fizz aloft. ”Time for the toast!”

Angelica worked the room, tray in hand, offering gla.s.ses that were already filled. She paused in front of Tricia and Baker, gave her sister a knowing wink, and then moved off to serve the rest of the guests.

Bob filled flutes for Mr. Everett and Grace before clearing his throat. He held his gla.s.s before him. ”Friends, I'm sure everyone here will join me in wis.h.i.+ng William and Grace a long and joy-filled life together. May they always be as happy as they are at this moment.”

”Hear, hear,” came the chant as everyone raised his or her gla.s.s in salute.

When everyone had taken a sip, Mr. Everett offered his gla.s.s. ”To my beautiful bride.”

Again, those a.s.sembled raised their gla.s.ses and cheered.

Mr. Everett raised his gla.s.s once again. ”And now, I'd like to say thank you to the person who made this all possible. To my employer and my friend, Ms. Tricia Miles. Thank you, Ms. Miles. You've not only made an old man feel useful again, but if it weren't for you, Grace and I would never have”--he paused, and seemed unsure of his next words--”hooked up.”

Everyone laughed and then cheered.

Grant Baker turned to Tricia and lifted his gla.s.s. ”Here's hoping we can”--he paused, and did not say ”hook up”--”start out by being friends, and see where that leads.”

Tricia raised her gla.s.s. ”I'll drink to that.” Out the corner of her eye, she saw Russ frown, but then he raised his gla.s.s, never breaking eye contact. ”To us,” he mouthed.

Tricia sipped her champagne and smiled. The next few days, maybe weeks, maybe months--might be very interesting indeed.

She drank to that.

ANGELICA'S RECIPES.

BOB'S FAVORITE MEATLOAF.

11/2 pounds lean ground beef

2/3 cup seasoned breadcrumbs

1 egg, beaten