CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“This case just got a whole lot more interesting,” said Tanner.
“Great. Interesting is what we love,” smirked Rush. “How did it get more interesting?”
“Alden Johns mother. We already know she’s been married four times but it appears her first three died under suspicious circumstances. All were well off or very well off. All were relatively young, under seventy-five. The current husband is eighty-two but seems to be in excellent health.”
“Seems to be?” asked Rush.
“He recently went to his physician for a physical citing feelings of excessive tiredness, headaches, nausea, that sort of thing. According to medical records the doctor found unusual amounts of controlled substances in his blood. Lawrence adamantly refuses to take so much as an aspirin, so the doctor knew something was wrong.”
“Sounds like we should pay a visit to Lawrence,” said Gator. The others nodded as Tanner continued.
“Our friend Gloria is a member of the Gulf Shores Country & Yacht Club. Very old school, very exclusive. The average age of the members is fifty-one. Not a young man’s club.”
“What does that have to do with all of this?” asked Ham.
“There are eleven women that we’ve found so far, who have a track record of husbands similar to Gloria. Hyacinth Wallace has five dead husbands. She’s on number six. Sue Ellen Sherman is on number seven.”
The men all stared at Tanner, their beautifully deep frown lines beginning to carve canyons in their foreheads.
“There are more but you get the idea. All of these women meet daily. Not weekly, not just for lunch, but daily. Tamara Bolling was fired by the club for suggesting that the women were exchanging pills during one of their daily ‘teas’. She filed a lawsuit against the club which they settled out of court.”
“This is becoming more and more fascinating by the minute,” frowned Cowboy. “Do we think the old ladies are taking drugs?”
“That’s my guess. Maybe the son is stealing the drugs for the women but got caught up and started taking them himself,” said Tanner.
“So, we have a doctor who steals and sells drugs to his mother and her country club sweethearts but also takes them for himself,” said Ham.
“Sounds like it to me. We know where the mother is located and the others, but we still haven’t been able to find Alden,” said AJ.
“Well, if we know where the mother is located, I’m going to guess that we’ll find her son close by,” said Gator. “Mitchell? You ready to get on the road and leave your bride?”
“I think I can manage a day trip, or even overnight,” he smirked.
“Good. You take Dan and Leif. See if you can get close to the old man and talk to him. Rett and Mike? Get inside that country club and see what you can find out about those women,” said Ham.
“I need you to make sure my wife doesn’t leave this property,” said Mitch.
“Brother, you know I will,” smirked Brooks. “Besides, I have it on good authority that she and my lovely bride are currently visiting Gray.”
“Gray? Why? Are they sick? What’s wrong?” he said jumping to his feet. Then it hit him. The ghosts had been right. The others chuckled shaking their heads.
“I love you, Mitch. As my brother we are a lot alike. But you do miss subtle cues. It might be only over a week but we know that doesn’t matter here, especially with the Jordan family. Gray is an obstetrician, remember?”
“An obstetrician, yes I remember,” he smiled. “I didn’t believe it could happen that quickly.”
“Mitchell!” came the yell down the hallway.
“Brooks!” came the next yell.
“Wanna bet?” smirked Ham.
“In here,” they both said grinning at each other.
The two women turned the corner, each staring at their husband, or maybe glaring is the better word. Then just as suddenly, the look softened and they smiled.
“You’re pregnant,” grinned Brooks. Lennon nodded, smiling at him.
“I hope you’re not disappointed but it’s just twins.”
“Twins,” he smiled hugging her.
“Congratulations,” said the room full of men. They all turned to look at Marnie and she had tears in her eyes.
“Marnie? Baby, what’s wrong?” asked Mitch.
“Triplets, Mitch. I’m going to be as big as a house. You’re going to hate me. You’re going to leave me and I’ll have to raise these babies alone,” she cried.
“If he does, I’ll fucking beat the shit out of him,” said Cowboy. “But he wouldn’t.”
“No, I wouldn’t,” smiled Mitch walking toward his bride. “I would never. You’re going to get bigger, as you’re well aware, doctor. You’re going to be big, round, and beautiful. You’re going to carry our babies to a healthy weight and when they’re born, you’ll look just as beautiful as you do today.
“I will never leave you. Never. I will never stop loving you. You’re my whole world, Marnie. You and these three,” he said rubbing her belly.
“Five new babies,” smiled Ham. “That’s gonna make some folks around here really happy.”
“This will make my husband happy,” said Marnie. He tilted his head, wondering what she meant. “Gray asked me to stay off my feet for a few weeks until we’re far enough along that she feels okay about me carrying all three.”
“That does make me happy,” he smiled. “I have to go check something out about Alden but I’ll make sure Mom and the others are with you.”
“She can stay with us,” said Brooks. “I’ll guard her with my life, brother.”
Marnie smiled at her husband and nodded, kissing his cheek.
“I’ll be fine,” she said smiling up at him. “Lennon and I have a lot to plan for. We don’t know the sex of the babies yet but we’ll need to make a list of everything we need. Obviously five cribs, five times the diapers, five times the bottles, five times everything.”
“Five,” said Christopher, Wes, and Angel in the doorway.
“Yea, Dad,” smirked Brooks. “Lennon is pregnant with twins and Marnie is pregnant with triplets. Five.” Angel laughed, hugging the girls.
“I knew it. You boys go do your thing. We’ll be here to handle the easy stuff.”