Once the van carrying Corbett was off the property, it was Steinwood’s turn to do the walk of shame as the sisters looked on and to be transferred to the tender mercies of Pearl’s people. He would be relocated to a different place than Corbett. There was no chance that the two would ever again meet. The official word was that they had escaped during a transfer and were now on the FBI’s and Interpol’s most wanted lists.

The entire departure took about an hour. The Sisterhood wanted to have enough “checkout” time for their guests. Neither man had ever known what was happening to the other, and at no time had either of them asked. Selfish bastards.

As the last car disappeared through the gate, the sisters high-fived, fist pumped, hooted, and hopped around.

“Woo-hoo!”

“Yeehaw!”

“Hootie toot-toot!”

They backslapped one another and doubled over in fits of laughter; the pups howled and wagged their tails in unison.

Annie wrapped her arm around Myra’s neck. “We have an exceptional crew working with us and for us. Seems like we just keep getting better and better.”

Epilogue

Epilogue

Myra , Charles, Annie, and Fergus were lounging about in the atrium. Charles was sorting through papers. What conversation there was, was about what was on the dinner menu. The dinner was to celebrate another mission accomplished.

The original choice was between having a clambake or a roast. They eventually voted for the roast—the same as the first dinner they had shared with Charlotte. Maggie had already put her order in for “extra everything.” It didn’t matter to her as long as the food was plentiful.

The sisters started to arrive about an hour before dinner was to be served. Yoko brought a magnificent centerpiece of red peonies for the table and several other luscious arrangements for the rest of the house. Kathryn helped her carry them in. Once everyone was there, they began their methodical dance of setting the table. Myra suggested the same crystal and china, the Hermès Mosaique and the Waterford.

Myra stood in the doorway and stared at the beautiful table setting. She sighed. Charles came up from behind. “What is it, dear?”

Myra fidgeted with her pearls. “I wish Charlotte were here.”

“I know. But remember, it’s also the adrenaline rush of the mission, then the slide down to the humdrum of everyday life.”

“Oh, Charles, life with you would never, could never, be humdrum. But I suppose you’re right. This is what it must be like for entertainers. You’re on a high in anticipation of the show, and then you do the show, and then the show is over.”

“Listen, old girl, the show will never, ever be over.” Charles put his hands on her waist and kissed the back of her neck.

Myra reached for his hand and brushed it with her lips. “Oh, now, don’t you be naughty! We have guests!”