The Medical Examiner Read online

  The meal was going to be excellent.

  Cindy had roasted the turkey, basting it properly, leaving enough time for the meat to cool before her guests arrived. Richie made his yams and set up the table in the dining room, adding in the extensions they’d never used before.

  They had finally gotten the table ready for everyone when the doorbell rang.

  Claire and Edmund arrived first, carrying covered dishes. After Rich hung up their coats, they went into the kitchen to help Cindy and warm up their hot side. Claire had an exquisite talent with a carving knife, and as she dissected the turkey, she explained each and every one of her cuts. It sent Cindy into fits of laughter.

  Yuki and Brady showed up with wine and the promised garlands, and Brady hoisted Yuki up so that she could tack the garlands to the ceiling and string them across the tops of bookcases. He spun her around a couple of times, and she scissored her legs as if she were a ballerina. Everyone enjoyed the spectacle.

  When the doorbell rang again, Cindy opened the door.

  Lindsay, Joe, and Julie came through the doorway. Lindsay held up three boxes and said, “I hope triple-chocolate cake is okay. We have a couple of pies for everyone, too. It’s all store-bought though. I’m still in vacation mode.”

  “Cake and pie,” Cindy gushed, and she took the treats from her friend. “That’s fantastic.”

  A shout went up when the Molinari family entered the living room. “Yay! The gang’s all here.”

  Everyone hugged Lindsay, Joe, and Julie. Even though it had only been a week, it somehow felt like more time had passed.

  Brady opened wine bottles and poured glasses for the adults, while Cindy got a cup of milk for Julie. She asked the toddler if she was she glad to be home and smiled when Julie nodded emphatically.

  Rich assembled eight assorted chairs in the living room and passed around the nuts and a cheese platter. While everyone munched on their snacks, they caught up and told stories and jokes.

  After appetizers, everyone moved into the dining room. Once they were all settled around the table, with Julie sitting next to Joe on a kitchen stool, Edmund thanked God for their good health and wonderful friendships.

  After the amens, Brady suggested they all go around the table and say what they’re thankful for, as if it were actually Thanksgiving. Everyone thought it was a great idea. He went first and said, “I’m thankful to be married to Yuki and for knowin’ all a y’all. I swear to God.”

  Joe popped into the kitchen and came back with the turkey. He set it on the table. “It’s trite but true,” he said, “that I am glad for this big turkey.”

  Edmund said, “Cindy, I am thankful you got Claire to make her chestnut stuffing because we haven’t had it in about five years.”

  Claire laughed and said, “That’s not true.” Then she followed up her protestations by saying, “I’m thankful for you, too, Edmund, and for ‘all a y’all,’” which got a long round of laughter from the group.

  When the laughing finally subsided, Claire added, “And I’m really happy that my folks sent me to medical school. Look where it got me. Bon appétit, everyone.”

  It was a short reach across the table for all to clink glasses, which they did.

  Lindsay said, “I’m thankful to Cindy for taking care of Martha while I was away and for putting together this wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. It was such a good idea to celebrate with a turkey. But I’m also wondering what I’ve missed. Did anything happen? At all?”

  Conklin said, “Nah. Nothing.”

  “Not much,” said Cindy. But then she leaned in closer to Lindsay and added, “We were just on the juiciest case ever.”

  “Are you kidding me?” said Lindsay.

  “Well,” said Cindy, “It was in the top ten, anyway.”

  And Claire said, “It was definitely a murder case for the ages.”

  EPILOGUE

  Claire was the first to open Joan’s handwritten invitation for holiday drinks with her new friends, saying it was a “surprise” venue that was for “girls only.”

  Claire called Cindy, Lindsay, and Yuki, and they were all in.

  A driver picked them each up from their offices and drove them out to the Pier 39 Marina at Fisherman’s Wharf. The car was a Bentley, and Cindy immediately located the champagne in an ice bucket in the backseat of the car, which made the ride merry and bright.

  After a short while, the driver delivered the Women’s Murder Club to a slip of land, where Joan and Marjorie were waiting for them. Joan was bundled up in charcoal cashmere and had her mother’s large diamond pendant around her neck.

  The night was cool, but it wasn’t cold, and the sky was clear, providing a beautiful backdrop for the marina. There were at least three hundred double-fingered boat slips docked along the pier, and the women took in incredible views of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge.

  Joan embraced each of her guests, including Lindsay, whom she’d never met. “I’ve heard so much about you,” she said, giving her shoulders an extra squeeze.

  “I’ve heard a bit about you, too,” Lindsay said.

  They laughed and hugged again.

  A gorgeous motor yacht pulled up in front of them. It was a seventy-two-foot cabin cruiser with a long, open bridge and old-fashioned brass lights hung along the teakwood trim. The captain’s name was Gina Marie, and she looked impeccable in her white uniform and red lipstick. She gave each of them a wide smile as she welcomed them aboard.

  Lindsay and Cindy cast off the lines, and Gina Marie started up the engine. Then the guests went down to the lounge, where Marjorie served champagne and hors d’oeuvres. She sat next to Joan when everyone was served and joined the festivities. But the question still lingered: what was the occasion?

  Once the yacht was skimming the bay at a comfortable ten knots, Joan stood up with her glass in her hand.

  Claire thought Joan looked lighter and happier than she’d seen her three months before. She’d healed well. Her hair was longer and blonder. The scarf around her neck flew like a pendant over her shoulder. Her many diamonds sparkled like stars.

  “I have an important announcement to make,” she said.

  Everyone looked up at Joan.

  “I’ve asked Robert to move out of the house. And I’ve filed for divorce, which I think I’ll be able to get without any problems.”

  Claire said, “Wow.”

  Cindy echoed the “wow,” adding, “Way to go, Joan.”

  Joan laughed and then lifted her glass. “So I want to make a toast to all of you. Here’s to friendship.”

  It was difficult to maintain their balance on the moving yacht, but everyone stood up to hug each other.

  For the rest of the ride, no one answered a phone. Dinner was delicious and memorable. Joan entertained the women with stories from her fabulous life. She’d rubbed shoulders with many celebrities over the years, and even clued the ladies in to a secret romance that she had with a very elusive actor.

  There was clapping and laughter and champagne toasts to round out a great celebratory girls’ night.

  The first, it felt, of many to come.

  About the Authors

  James Patterson has written more bestsellers and created more enduring fictional characters than any other novelist writing today. He lives in Florida with his family.

  Maxine Paetro has collaborated with James Patterson on the bestselling Women’s Murder Club and Private series. She lives with her husband in New York State.

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  James Patterson, The Medical Examiner

  (Series: Women's Murder Club # 16.50)