Epilogue

            “Hello, Jennifer?”

            “Peter! Hi, lover! How are you?”

            “Better every day. I actually went in to work for a few hours today.”

            “How wonderful! But don’t rush it, you know? I don’t want you having a relapse.”

            “No chance. Listen, the reason I called is that I picked up a copy of your magazine today and read the article. Jenn, it’s terrific. You did a great job.”

            “Thank you, Peter. It turned out okay, I think. Would you believe that I already got a cal about being on a radio talk show to discuss it?”

            “Sure. This is a big story. Garson’s downfall will have a major effect on the whole business of charity collections for years, and you’ll be treated as an expert because you helped bring him down.”

            “Peter, that’s scary.”

            “Maybe, but it’s a fact. You’re a famous woman now. So, what else is new?”

            “Out here, not much. Did Wayne ever bring you those signed confessions?”

            “Yes, just before I moved out of Dad’s place. Practically threw them at me. Did he ever apologize to you?”

            “As a matter of fact, he did, in a phone call. Graceless, but he got it done. Has there been any progress in proving the case against Chou’s killers?”

            “Some. The cleaning lady identified the sweatshirt as Chou’s because of a spar varnish stain on it. There were hairs of the same type as Chou’s on the sweatshirt and in the car trunk. There were mud clumps still in the car tires, and the lab is working on identifying where that came from, in hopes finding where the body might have been dumped. We figure that eventually one of the men will turn on the other to make a deal to save his own skin. Kermit and Blake have a bet on who it will be.

            “Let me guess. Kermit bet on Reger. But they haven’t been formally charged with his murder yet?”

            “No. Just with your attempted murder. As soon as they’re charged with Chou’s, I’m sure you’ll be called to come in for the preliminary hearing. Now, any chance that you can get some days off before that?”

            “It’s possible. I told Marty that I’m stressed out from everything that’s happened in the past few weeks, and he’s been pretty sympathetic. I have some vacation days left anyway.”

            “Good. My foster mother suggested that I use the family’s lake house to rest up for a few days. Would you like to join me and spend some time there? It’s a beautiful place in the spring.”

            “Sounds wonderful.” Her voice was full of laughter. “I don’t know how restful it would be for you, though. Are you sure you’re healed enough?”

            “That’s what I’d like to find out. How soon can you get here?”

            “Let me talk to Marty and get back to you.”

            “That’s a deal.”

            “Wo ai ni, Peter.”

            “Wo ai ni, Jenn.”