“I love you right back, Jellybean.”
At that instant, Evie’s chest filled and her eyes stung. Sometimes her thoughts could get so far ahead of reality, that she’d even imagined the day that the three of them made a little family here on Bayberry Island. Of course that would require a world without Richard Wahlman—or women’s prison.
“Can I go over and tell Evie how pretty she is?”
“Yep!”
As Christina bounced down the hall, Clancy moved closer. He let his fingertip brush across her Evie’s collarbone and over the tops of her breasts. “Damn.”
“You like?”
“Uh, I’m sure there’s something wrong with lusting for a woman wearing your sister’s dress, but I swear to God I’ve never seen her in it and if I have, she didn’t look like this.”
Evie gave a twirl much like the one Christina had just executed, and the wide white skirt sailed around her thighs. The sundress was a kind of retro style, with straps going up and tying around the back of her neck. Mona had given her a pair of antique pearl clip-on earrings that had belonged to Frasier’s mother, and Annie, who also wore a size nine shoe, came up with a cute pair of tie-on espadrilles.
Clancy’s eyes were huge. “You look like a French vanilla ice cream drizzled with sex sauce.”
Evie laughed. “You’re pretty sweet yourself.” She grabbed him around the waist and pulled him in for a kiss. If Christina happened to see, they would just have to deal with it.
“Oh, man. Okay.” Clancy gave himself a quick tap on the cheek. “Evie. I have news. I just got a text.”
Her face fell.
“No. Good news. Incredible news.” He gave her a reassuring kiss, then wrapped his arms low on her hips. “Remember my buddy who was helping Hal?”
“Of course!”
“Well, he arranged a meeting this afternoon between House ethics investigators, the Justice Department, and Wahlman’s wife and chief of staff. They’re taking him down.”
“What?”
“It’s ugly. The chief of staff claims there have been repeated instances of sexual misconduct, and the wife tipped them off about possible misuse of campaign contributions. But”—he glanced behind him to make sure they were alone and lowered his voice—“the important thing for you to know is it looks like Wahlman bribed a court clerk in order to win custody of Christina.”
Evie slapped a hand over her mouth.
“My buddy says Wahlman promised the clerk a better-paying job in exchange for helping him cheat the system.”
Evie felt herself began to tremble with relief and joy. “You mean . . . ?”
“It’s almost over. So tonight, we’re just going to relax and enjoy the Mermaid Ball, because tomorrow the shit is going to hit the fan for Wahlman. Ash has already called a good friend of his in Boston—a criminal defense attorney—who’s going to help us out. He’ll be here tomorrow to walk you through everything. It’s going to be okay, Evie.”
She squealed with joy and hugged him as hard as she possibly could. It was over! She didn’t have to run anymore! Clancy lifted her off the floor.
* * *
“You’re awfully quiet.”
Teresa Apodaca pulled her gaze from the window to stare at Richard with annoyance. She replied to him via her microphone. “We’re on a Federal Bureau of Investigations helicopter, Congressman, on our way to rescue a child abduction victim. It’s not especially conducive to small talk.”