CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
“Gloria, how close are we to our goal?” asked Hyacinth.
“Nearly there, ladies,” she smiled raising her mimosa glass. They all smiled as well, clinking their cocktails at the harborside restaurant in beautiful Charleston.
“According to our account,” said Delilah, “we’re at nearly one-billion.”
The women all cheered, drawing stares from those around them. They didn’t care. They were wearing clothing that cost ten times what anyone in this resort town was wearing. The Hermés bags alone were worth somewhere in the neighborhood of a half-million dollars.
These women were experts at many things. Seduction. Theft. Pity. Desire. And of course, murder.
Gloria slid small envelopes across the table to each of the women. They all grinned, happily dropping the powder into their water. They were feeding on the need. More desperate with each passing day. They knew that if they continued, their money would be gone soon.
Each woman had expertly found ways to take money from their joint accounts without their husband’s knowledge. Hyacinth had even bribed her husband’s accountant and he allowed her access to the company books. With that one transgression, she was given the keys to the castle and definitely used them.
“Have we found our own place yet?” asked Millicent.
“We’re currently looking at several small islands off the coast of the Philippines. We’re negotiating price and of course the building of our individual mansions. Two are ideal for building resorts and golf courses, where we can draw in as many future husbands as we like,” grinned Gloria.
The women all laughed, nodding their heads.
“Now, for today, I’ve arranged a special treat,” smiled Gloria.
“We’re each going to get a massage, with a happy ending of course.
We’re going to get our toxin treatments for those nasty lines that are appearing.
We’ll be getting facial filler, laser, and some small tightening around those problem areas. ”
“How lovely,” grinned Delilah. “I’ve been needing a little work and for some reason Wilton wouldn’t allow me to get it. I didn’t want to spend my money to make him happy. He was being unreasonable.”
“I agree, darling,” said Millicent. “Well, shall we order ladies?”
“Yes,” laughed Gloria. “One of everything.”
With a table full of food, the women were indulging in a lunch that they normally would never eat. Typical for them was raw vegetables, salads, green juices and fruit.
Instead, in a place like Charleston, there were soft-shell crabs, lobster tails, shrimp, oysters, grits, and so much more. But when a small group of men entered the patio area of the restaurant, their faces blanched.
“What the fuck?” muttered Gloria. “Lawrence? Lawrence, why are y’all here? This is a girls trip only.”
“Hello to you too, Gloria,” he frowned. Mathers, Wallace, and Wright were standing behind him. “Don’t worry ladies, you can continue your little trip when we leave. That is if you can afford it.”
“Lawrence what on earth are you talking about?” she stammered. “This is part of our allowance.”
“Yes. It seems you’ve all been very good with your allowances. Making smart investments, with our money, and of course your prevalent drug fascination.”
The women were all turning an unhealthy shade of gray. Hyacinth reached for Gloria’s hand.
“Gloria. What is happening?”
“I don’t know,” she said through clenched teeth. “Just shut up and let me do the talking.”
“We’re not as stupid as you all had hoped. Your little game is done. We will be the last of your husbands. Each one of us has changed our wills. Permanently. No part of our estate will go to any of you. None. Zero dollars. Zero property. Your deceptions are beyond cruel. You had intent to kill.”
“Lawrence!”
“Shut up!” he yelled. Mitch gripped his arm and stepped forward.
“Who are you?” asked Gloria.
“Me? I’m the man that married Marnie St. John, the woman your son is trying to kill.” She started to open her mouth and Mitch took another step forward, his fist clenched. “Don’t open your fucking mouth or you’re going to lose those capped teeth.”
She blanched, shaking slightly as she looked toward her husband for support.
“Where is your son?” he asked.
“I-I don’t know. That’s the truth. I saw him a few weeks ago in Gulf Shores but I don’t know where he is now.”
“You’d better hope you’re not lying,” said Mitch. “I’ll make sure your death is not a pleasant one.”
“Lawrence, Lawrence, you can’t possibly believe any of us would attempt to harm you,” she said clasping her necklace of pearls.
“We’re not as stupid as you believed,” said Mathers. “Your minions at the club have confessed and are currently being booked into jail. The houses are being searched for further evidence, although we’ve found enough drugs to indicate that you all had a healthy business happening.”
“Your passports are revoked,” said Brooks. “There will be no options for you to leave the country and when we’re done with you, there will be no options for you in a soft prison somewhere. You’ll be with the big girls. Just you and a bunch of girls anxious to hide.”
“Gloria, Gloria, do something!” said Sue Ellen.
“Do what? What is it you think I can do?” she squealed. “We’re in this together, Sue Ellen. Remember?”
“Yes, remember, Sue Ellen,” said Wright. “My sweet southern bride. So kind and caring when I haven’t been feeling well, all the while giving me drugs that will slowly kill me. Or would have had these men not stepped forward.”
The women stared at one another, then back toward their husbands and the other men.
“So, what now? You’re going to arrest us?” asked Gloria.
“Arrest you?,” smirked Mitch. “No. We’re not cops.
We’re much worse. We’re going to let you return to your hotel and attempt to check-out.
Except, you won’t be able to do that. Your credit cards have all been reported lost or stolen.
Your bank accounts have been frozen. Your cars have been towed at the airport back home. You have nothing. Absolutely nothing.”
“Y-you can’t do this,” said Delilah. “Wilton. Darling, please. It wasn’t me. Gloria was pushing all of us.”
“Yes, this was all Gloria!” yelled Hyacinth.
“You bitches!” growled Gloria. “You turn on me now when you all were benefiting as much or more from this than me? You all wanted this. All of you! You’ve been following me around for twenty years with one plan in mind. Don’t you dare turn this on me.”
“Last chance, Gloria. Where is your son?” asked Mitch.
“I don’t know and I wouldn’t tell you even if I did,” she said firmly.
“Best of luck to you ladies. The police will have warrants for your arrests within the hour. Time starts now,” said Brooks.
The women scattered from the table, racing off the deck of the restaurant. Mitch just smiled.
“They’ll arrest them here?” asked Lawrence.
“Nah,” smirked Brooks. “I just wanted to watch them run. They won’t get their things out of the hotel because they can’t pay their bill unless they skip out on it.
Which they will. One more charge to add to it.
I’m sure they possess a good bit of cash between them, so they can get plane tickets home, or bus tickets. ”
“They’ll never take a bus,” laughed Wilton.
“Probably not, but they’ll be desperate. Even their joint account has been frozen by our team,” said Mitch. “We’ve got trackers on their phones and we’ll know who they reach out to for help.”
“I have an idea,” said Lawrence. “An idea that might help you to get Alden.” Brooks and Mitch nodded at the men.
“I’m all ears.”
“Hey! Hey, where did they go?” asked the waiter. “I have a bill here for their meal and it’s huge! I can’t pay this.”
“I’ve got it,” said Mitch. “The price was worth the show.”