Crown Jewel (15 page)

“Not if I can help it,” Ricky said as he ripped the paper off the steaks he'd just bought. He filled a pot with water and did just what Gracie told him to do. Then he ran to the linen closet in the downstairs bathroom. He returned with monogrammed, sky-blue towels that looked to be as big as tablecloths. He had a bunch of matching washcloths under his arm.

“We can't bathe them, they're too little. But we can clean them up and make sure they're warm. I'll put the towels in the clothes dryer for a few minutes so they'll be nice and warm. Be careful now, we'll do it here on the floor so they can see we aren't hurting their offspring. Put them down slowly, Gracie. Wet these cloths with warm water.”

“The vet is on the way!” Tyler said happily. “Five dogs! That's just what this place needs. I never had a dog.”

When the pups were cleaned up and wrapped into snug little bundles, Gracie looked at her dirty clothing. For the first time since her arrival, she was aware that she was in her underwear wearing one high-heeled shoe. She was glad she was wearing decent underwear even if it was a cheap store brand.

The mother dog padded over to the little mounds, sniffed and stuck her nose inside the blue towel. She lay down next to the pups, her eyes alert and watchful. The male dog sat on his haunches watching everyone.

“I'm surprised you were able to get them in the truck. But it's obvious they trust you.”

“I can keep them, can't I? I won't let them ruin your guesthouse. I promise.”

“Of course you can keep them,” Ricky said.

Max blew into the kitchen like a wild gust of wind. “I got everything!” he said triumphantly. He did his best not to look at Gracie's underwear. Gracie snatched the bag out of his hand. “Now what?”

“We're waiting for the vet,” Ricky said. “I'm cooking what was supposed to be our dinner for the dogs. Once the vet checks the dogs and the pups, you and Tyler are going to give them a bath. Gracie and I are going to feed the pups. Believe it or not, I do know how to do that.”

“Vet's here!” Tyler said, pressing the button that would open the gates.

He was young, probably somewhere in his midthirties. His name was Adam Sutter. If there was one thing Adam loved above all else, it was a human's devotion to an animal. They all talked at once. If he was surprised that Gracie Lick was in her underwear, he didn't show it. His job was the dogs.

Forty minutes later he pronounced all five dogs on the road to recovery. “You got to those pups just in time. If they can't suck, you'll have to use an eyedropper. I have some in my bag. It's round-the-clock feeding.”

“We can handle it,” Ricky said.

“You bet,” Tyler said.

“Just tell me what to do,” Max said.

“I'd like to see this family in a week. I make house calls.”

“Gracie, you know your schedule, you set it up. I'll be leaving in a few days, and Max and Tyler are heading out tomorrow.”

Gracie stood up. That's when they all noticed her underwear. Adam Sutter smiled approvingly. “How about if I call you when we all calm down around here. Tomorrow sometime,” Gracie said sweetly.

“You could give me your phone number. I'd like to call to check on the dogs.”

“I just moved here and don't know what it is. I
will
call you, though.”

“I can stay on,” Max said, not liking the way the vet was looking at Gracie.

Gracie correctly interpreted the look. She looked up at the vet, and said, “I'm a reporter, Dr. Sutter. Maybe when things calm down, we could discuss my doing a feature article on you for all the pet owners in the area.”

“I'd like that a lot. Just call me. I'm available most evenings.” He was eyeing her, openly now, and it was clear he was liking what he was seeing. Gracie smiled. Adam smiled.

Max scowled.

Adam waved good-bye when Ricky handed him some bills.

Gracie waved, her bosom heaving with gusto.

Max's middle finger shot in the air. Behind Adam's back, of course. Gracie didn't miss it, though. She just looked smug.

“Ah…Gracie, I'm sorry about your clothes. I can lend you some shorts and a tee shirt. They'll be big, but they will
cover
you,” Ricky said. “Max, take Gracie upstairs and find her some clothes.”

Tyler grimaced. “They're going to end up killing each other, you know that, don't you?”

“My money is on Gracie Lick,” Ricky said. “Who are you betting on, Tyler?”

“Gracie. I'm no fool. She's got him wrapped. He just doesn't know it yet.” He slapped his thigh and doubled over laughing. In spite of himself, Ricky laughed, too.

They listened, grinning from ear to ear as Gracie's and Max's voices carried down the back stairway.

“What, are you blind, Gracie?” Max said heatedly. The guy's a T&A man. I should know, I'm a guy.”

“I bet you think I don't know what that means. Well, I do, smart-ass. Just because you're a tits-and-ass man doesn't mean he is. I found him utterly charming. He saved those dogs. What did you do? You went to the
drugstore
. That doesn't count in my book. Anyone can go to the drugstore. You're an
oaf.
Now, if you're done staring at my tits and my ass, I'd like to get dressed.”

“Don't flatter yourself, Gracie. I've seen better tits on a sixty-year-old lady. As for your ass, it looks to me like it's
drooping.”

Gracie balled up her fist and let it fly. Max toppled backward with the force of the blow.

Down below, Tyler looked at his father. “Okay, she either kissed him, or she bopped him good. I think she bopped him.”

Ricky grinned as he hauled out the blender. He fished the meat and vegetables out of the pot and dumped them into the blender. His hand secure on the top, he pulsed the contents until he was satisfied with the consistency. He filled two large plates. He looked down at the dogs, who were waiting patiently. “You get it as soon as it cools.”

When Max came back downstairs, there was no doubt about what Gracie had done.

“Wow! I am impressed, Max! I bet by tonight that shiner is going to glow in the dark. I can't believe that itty-bitty little girl hit you. You never told me you were a T&A man, Max.” Tyler was talking softly so that his voice wouldn't carry up to the second floor, where he knew Gracie Lick stood listening.

“Shut up, Tyler. I was brought up to respect girls and women, and that means you don't hit them even when they slug you. Let's just forget this. Tell me what you want me to do.”

Ricky set the plates down on the floor. Both dogs watched him until he gave the signal they could eat. Starved, as he knew they were, they didn't gobble. They licked their plates clean and waited. “More?” He filled their dishes half-full this time. Again, they licked the plates clean.

“They shouldn't give you any trouble with the bath. The tubs in the laundry room are oversize, so you can do both of them. Warm water, not hot. Dry them thoroughly, then wrap them in the towels and let them sleep by the pups. We'll carry the pups into the laundry room, so they can keep their eyes on them. That's important to new mother dogs.” Authority rang in Ricky's voice. His sons stared at him, accepting his word as gospel.

Gracie Lick entered the kitchen dressed in shorts that hung below her knees and a yellow tee shirt with the words
STAR POWER
emblazoned on the front and looked at the three men. “Where's my photographer?”

“Out by the pool, where he's been since you got here. I heard a splash a little while ago,” Max volunteered. “I hope you aren't paying him by the hour.” Gracie ignored his comments as she trotted into the laundry room to check on the pups.

“It's time to feed these guys. I can do it in here, while you guys bathe the mother and father. I don't want these dogs traumatized, so let's try to make this a lovely experience for them. In other words, screw up with these dogs, and I'll kick your respective asses all the way to the gate.”

Ricky watched his sons scurrying about for towels and shampoo. He turned away so he wouldn't laugh out loud. He had things to do. He said so to Gracie.

“That's okay. I can talk to them while I'm feeding the pups. Jonas knows what I want in the way of pictures. I appreciate your letting me keep these dogs, Mr. Lam.” Honesty rang in her voice when she said, “I would have found a way to keep them if you had said no. I hate people who abuse animals.”

“I knew that.”

“On your way out, Mr. Lam, will you ask Jonas to come in with his camera. I'd like a few shots of your sons bathing the dogs. Human interest opposed to a shot of them hanging out in some bar or sitting on a Harley. Everyone identifies with dogs.”

“Do you think, Gracie, you could go a little easier on Max? I think he really likes you, but you might be intimidating him. You know, just a little.”

Gracie reared back in horror. “Are you suggesting I skew the interview, Mr. Lam? You've got the wrong person if you think that.”

“No, no, that's not what I meant. I meant on a personal level. That boy-girl thing.”

“There is no boy-girl thing. Max is a…
clod.”

“Is a clod one step up or down from an oaf?” Ricky asked, knowing instinctively that his gut decision to hire Gracie to do the story had been right.

“I heard that,” Max said. His eyes flashing angrily, his jaw grim as he glared at Gracie.

“Eavesdroppers never hear anything good about themselves. How does it feel, Mr. Velvet Tongue? Don't bother telling me because I don't want to know. Wash those dogs, they smell from being in that ditch. Be sure to put conditioner on them after you shampoo them.”

“Conditioner?”
Tyler queried.

“Yes, it makes the hair soft so it doesn't tangle.”

Ricky looked at his sons. He shrugged.

Gracie filled the three eyedroppers and placed them on a paper towel. She started to feed one of the pups, the mother dog at her side. “See, I'm just helping you out until you're well enough to nurse them. Go ahead, sniff it, taste it if you want.” She smiled when the dog did just what she told her to do.

Max, a bottle of conditioner in his hand, thought Gracie's smile the most beautiful smile he'd ever seen. He was about to say something nice when Gracie jerked her head in the direction of the sink. She raised one bare foot to make her point.

Max turned on the water in the laundry tub.

“Oh, you sweet little thing, you took three whole droppers.” She watched as the mother dog dropped to her haunches, her gaze on the pups. She appeared satisfied that nothing was going awry.

“What kind of dogs are these?” Tyler asked.

“I think they have some Lab, maybe some shepherd in them. Does it make a difference?” Gracie asked.

“Are you always this obnoxious?” Max demanded as he soaped the male dog's head. “What the—”

“Smile for the camera!” Gracie said, picking up the second pup. She brought it to her cheek. He felt soft and warm. She wiggled the eyedropper into his mouth and watched while he struggled to take his nourishment. “Rinse those dogs well. Did you bring down a blow-dryer?”

“Blow-dryer?”
Max said incredulously.

“They're big dogs. How do you expect them to dry themselves? Do you want them getting sick? Blow-dryers dry hair. The dogs have hair. I rest my case.”

“Listen, you…
wannabe journalist,
these are your dogs. My brother and I are helping you. We-are-helping-you! Get it! We-do-not-have-to-do-this. Get it! We-are-being-kind-and-generous-with-our-time. Get it!”

“Kiss my ass, you movie star's son. Ex-movie star. Don't talk to me.”

“Why would I want to do a stupid thing like that?” Max blustered.

Gracie laid the second pup down and filled the three droppers for the last pup. “Because you're stupid, that's why. I told you not to talk to me.”

“He's flirting with you, Gracie. The oaf thinks this is how you go about it,” Tyler said as he lifted the male dog out of the tub. “Isn't that right, Max?” It was clear from Tyler's tone that he knew all about the finer art of flirting.

Gracie Lick's face turned a rich shade of pink. She concentrated on the pup in her arms.

Max didn't deny his brother's statement. Instead, he pulled the plug in the sink and waited for the water to gurgle down the drain. He started to fill the tub back up, checking the water to make sure it wasn't too hot or too cold.

In the war of words, it was Max Lam 1, Gracie Lick 210, maybe 910.

Ricky Lam walked into his study, where the file drawers from his brother's office now sat on the floor, beckoning him. His stomach worked itself into a knot just thinking about going through them.

Maybe he should call Roxy. He smiled at the thought. He didn't stop to think about it or the time difference. He dialed the number of her rented condo. He wondered what she was doing. He asked when her voice came on the line.

“I'm baking bread. I bought one of those bread-making machines yesterday. I love the way the house smells when bread is baking. I have stew simmering, and I baked a peach pie. I don't like eating alone, though.”

“Do you put lots of soft butter on the bread? Philly and I used to fight over who got the end. Mom called it the heel. She'd cut off each end of the loaf so we wouldn't fight, even though it was hard to slice the rest of the loaf without the ends. She used to make strawberry jelly from those little sweet berries. If I close my eyes, I can picture it and remember the taste. Do you make jelly?”

“No. I buy mine.”

“Store-bought is good, too.” He didn't mean to ask the question, but the words rolled off his lips. “Do you miss me?” It took her so long to answer, he was about to prompt her. The knot in his stomach started to tighten.

“Yes, I do miss you. What are you doing?”

He told her. “I swear to God, I don't know what to do about Max and Gracie. I must be getting old if I can't relate to that mating dance they're doing. It's a new world out there.”

“Yes, it is. They'll work it out. Five dogs, huh? You sure lead an interesting life, Ricky Lam.”

“Roxy, I haven't looked in the files yet. What do you
think
is in them?”

“Ricky, I haven't a clue. I don't know, maybe secret offshore accounts. Maybe he was an internet freak of some kind. I guess that isn't it because Philly didn't have a computer, at least that I know of. On the other hand, maybe he was just a person who didn't interact well with others and was a loner. What I do know is he was as screwed up as you and I were at one time. You took responsibility early on. I'm just now getting there. When I allow myself to look back at my life, I cringe at some of the things I did. I'm not sure I even want to know about Philly. Does that answer your question?”

“No, not really. You wouldn't happen to know Philly's password for his private voice mail, would you?”

“No.”

“Where did he go? What did he do? Did he spend his time sitting in those empty offices playing with the paper clips? What?”

“I don't know, Ricky. He dressed for business every day, though. Suit, tie, white shirt. Sometimes he would loosen the tie, but he never took it off. He never took off the jacket either. Did you go through his things in his bedroom? I never did. When he died, I just closed the door. I would have locked it if I'd had a key, but I didn't. When are you coming back?”

She sounded like she cared. “Day after tomorrow. I'll call you before I leave. Is your bread done?”

“Five more minutes. I'll make some for you when you get back.”

The knot in Ricky's stomach loosened up. “I'm going to hold you to that.” Her warm chuckle stayed with him long after he had hung up the phone.

Why was it that misfits always seemed to find one another? Did they wear an invisible sign only noticeable to other misfits? Did they smell different? Did they act different? He shrugged, realizing he would probably never know the answer.

He was on his knees now, ready to paw through his brother's life. He looked up when a shadow crossed the doorway.

“Want some help?” Tyler asked. “I figured if I left the two of them alone, they might come to some kind of agreement with each other.”

“Sure,” Ricky said.

Tyler sat down on the floor and pulled one of the file drawers closer.

An hour later, Ricky looked up. “This is just brokerage statements, insurance policies, tax returns, deeds, bank statements, canceled checks, and receipts. What's in your drawer?”

Tyler looked over at his father. “You've been brutally honest about your old life. Why didn't you tell Max and me that you guys were adopted?”

“We weren't adopted. Where did you get an idea like that?”

“From this file. It says your brother was adopted. If your brother was adopted, there's a good chance you were too since he was older than you. See for yourself.”

Ricky reached for the file. He could feel his fast-beating heart slamming around inside his chest. He read through the file twice before he closed it. “I guess this explains what Philly did behind closed doors. All he needed was a phone and a tape recorder to communicate with the outside world. He must have taped his conversations but I don't know why. I never knew, never suspected Philly was adopted. I always wondered why there were no pictures of my mother when she was pregnant with Philly. I have dozens of her patting her stomach before I was born. There was one in front of the hospital, with Mom holding me and my father handing out cigars. I wonder how he found out that he was adopted. That must have been a terrible blow to Philly. If he knew growing up, he sure never told me. I never knew! What else is in that drawer?”

“All kinds of good stuff. Do you want me to leave so you can go through this alone? I don't mind.”

“No, stay. I don't have any secrets. What kind of good stuff?”

“His marriage license. Roxy's name isn't on it. It's someone named Lee Ann Oliver. Here's one with Roxy's name on it. I guess his first wife died.”

“Philly was never married before he married Roxy. If he was married, I sure as hell didn't know about it. Let me see that license.”

“He had three kids, too. These aren't the originals, but they are copies of three birth certificates. He's listed as the father. The mother is listed as Lee Ann Oliver. There are no divorce papers or death certificates. Three girls. Melanie is twenty-four, Sara is twenty-two, and Emily is twenty. That means…you have three nieces, and Max and I have three cousins. They aren't really blood relatives, though. Does that count? Strange that there aren't any pictures here.”

“There must be some kind of mistake,” Ricky said, staring at the certificates in his hands. “Why did he keep it all so secret?”

“You said you never really
knew
your brother, that you weren't close. I guess he was a very private person. Are you going to be able to let it go at that?”

“No!” The word exploded from Ricky's mouth like a gunshot. “I need to know everything there is to know about my brother. I don't care if he was adopted or not. He was my brother.” He continued to stare at the certificates in his hands as he tried to understand and accept what he was seeing.

“Do you think Philip felt the same way about you?” Tyler asked hesitantly.

“No. But it doesn't matter. What else is in that drawer?”

Tyler pawed through stacks of correspondence held together with oversize paper clips. “He was obviously trying to get the adoption records unsealed and wasn't having much luck. From everything you said about him, it's strange that he wouldn't have offered a sizable bribe to get the information he wanted. Money usually works in cases like that. Unless…”

“Unless what?”

“Unless one or the other of his parents was someone really influential. In which case the records might have been destroyed. Do you think your parents knew who his biological parents were? Do you have any aunts or uncles they might have talked to? Maybe even neighbors or close friends?”

“I have a ninety-seven-year-old uncle who lives in a nursing home, but he doesn't even know what his own name is. He won't be any help. Philly and I both sent money over the years for his care. I'm sure Philly's lawyer is still doing it because I haven't heard otherwise. As for my parents' neighbors, one family still lives in the old neighborhood. I could call them or go and talk to them. I imagine Philly already did that. It would probably be an exercise in futility to go to Placentia, where we grew up.”

“Ricky, why don't you turn the whole thing over to Gracie? She'll know where to look and how to go about it. People respond well to pretty, wholesome girls like Gracie. She can be charming and a bully at the same time. Pay her for her time. I'll bet she'll jump at the chance to help you. I'll go downstairs and help Max with the dogs, and I'll send her up.”

Ricky nodded.

Tyler hesitated in the doorway. “Maybe asking Gracie to help isn't such a good idea after all. Maybe you should hire an experienced investigator, especially if you want this kept private. Gracie is, after all, a tabloid reporter.”

“You're young, Tyler, so maybe you won't understand this. I trust Gracie. She knows all about life and how hard it is. I saw her with those dogs. That girl has heart, and she has a soul. If she gives her word that she'll keep this confidential, that's good enough for me. I'd stake my very life on her professional ethics. That girl will not leak anything to the media. When you're kind and decent to people they respond in a like manner. That's another way of saying I trust Gracie. So if it's all the same to you, send her up.”

The files of correspondence were inches thick. It must have been important for Philly to find out who his parents were. He tried to put himself in his brother's place. If the situation were reversed, he knew he would leave no stone unturned in his search for his biological parents, which was exactly what Philly had been doing.

Gracie entered the study. “Mr. Lam, Tyler said you wanted to see me. Is something wrong? Please don't tell me you changed your mind about us living here, or the dogs.”

“No, no, it's nothing like that. I want to hire you to do something for me. Do you have any spare time?”

“Right now, I do. When September comes around, I won't. What is it you want me to do?”

Gracie sat down, Indian fashion, and listened to Ricky explain the contents of the file drawers and what he wanted her to find out. “I'll give you a generous expense account. I'll want accurate record keeping. I'll give you a set amount to…pay for your information. When and if those payouts hit five or six figures, you clear it with me first. Can you do it? And I expect you to sign a confidentiality agreement.”

“That goes with the territory, Mr. Lam. Look, I'm not Woodward and Bernstein. All I can do is try. I do have sources, and I know people who have other sources. Don't get your hopes up is what I'm saying. Is there a deadline on this?”

“No, but I'd like to get to the bottom of this as soon as possible. I have to get back to South Carolina no later than the day after tomorrow. Max and Tyler are leaving tomorrow. If you pull this off, you get a full month at either resort. You want it in writing?”

“No. Your word is good enough for me.”

“How are the dogs?”

“They're all sleeping. It will be time to feed the pups again in a few minutes. I think Jonas got some really good pictures. I brought my laptop with me, so I can work on the story this evening. Will it be all right if I stay over at the guesthouse? Tyler said he'd give Jonas a ride back to town. I'll take the dogs with me, so they don't keep you awake tonight. My sister and brother will be up this evening to bring me my files and some clothes. I hope it's okay if they stay.”

“That's fine. How's it going with Max?”

“We're being civil to one another.”

“Civility is good. It's a start.”

“A start for what?” Gracie asked, her eyes narrowing.

Ricky shrugged. “Less angst, less stress. Max is really a nice guy. Women find him incredibly attractive. According to Tyler, they fall all over him.” He wondered if what he was saying was true. He shrugged again.

“Well then, I guess I'll leave you to your files.”

“After I finish going through them, I can have the boys take them over to the guesthouse for you. Go through them thoroughly. I want you to call me every day with a progress report. You pull this off for me, and I will be forever in your debt.”

“That's really not…”

Ricky didn't think it was possible for the girl standing in front of him to be embarrassed, but she was. She flushed and wouldn't meet his gaze. This was a girl who wasn't used to people saying nice things to her or, for that matter, doing nice things for her. She had so many defense mechanisms in place, it was going to be hard for Max to break through them.

“I have one more drawer of files to go through, then they'll be yours. I really appreciate this, Gracie.”

“I'll do my very best for you, Mr. Lam. I'll investigate this matter fully.”

Ricky was about to tell her to call him Ricky, but he realized he would always be Mr. Lam to Gracie. He wondered where this insight was coming from all of a sudden.

Ricky eyed the last file drawer before he got up to pop a Coca-Cola from the minirefrigerator in his office. He carried it back to his desk. He hadn't had a cigarette that morning, so he could smoke one now. Talk about stress. How in hell was he going to tell Roxy her husband was a bigamist? Who was Lee Ann Oliver? According to the certificate in the file drawer, she was his wife. And according to the birth certificates of her and Philly's daughters, she lived in Tanglewood. He closed his eyes as he tried to picture the people at the church and cemetery the day Philly was buried. He would have remembered a woman with three daughters. He mentally did a head count. He could account for everyone graveside. Only three pews in the church had been full, and there hadn't been anyone standing or sitting in the back.