“Goodness gracious. Sure sounds like it!” Charlotte was feeling giddy.

“From what Alexis and I could discover from their college records, Dr. Marcus was the better student at Ross. He excelled in chemistry. Dr. Corbett barely passed his courses, but he took online courses in business and marketing. Steinwood comes from old money, so we suspect he had the seed money for the operation,” Nikki said.

Annie jumped in. “Excellent. Let’s put these pieces together. The men met in medical school. Only one of them was a great student. Steinwood was a trust-fund baby, so he didn’t care all that much. Corbett was a wannabe socialite. He probably came up with the scheme, especially after seeing how the rich vacation in Barbados. And how many of them are dowagers looking for the fountain of youth? Marcus was a whiz but needed more experience in pharmacology. And where are most of the drugs produced? Mexico.”

Alexis continued what Nikki had started. “We contacted several obvious places of employment, under the guise of checking references. Corbett worked in the marketing department, Marcus in the labs, and Steinwood . . . Well, he had the worst record of all of them, getting fired from three different jobs at three different pharmaceutical companies. I guess he decided to hang out in Cabo San Lucas rather than work.”

“This was a meticulous plan,” Charles said pointedly. “And long range.”

“Let’s not forget the most important parts, devious and callous,” Myra added, her blood boiling.

The sisters murmured in agreement.

Charles continued sharing the most current information Avery’s group had gathered. “Eileen is attending an event tonight—”

“An event?” Myra interrupted with disdain. “We need her to do her job!”

“Easy, old girl.” Charles put a hand on his wife’s trembling shoulder. “The event is at the Plimsoll Building, which is where Dr. Marcus lives. There’s a rooftop conservatory on the thirteenth floor. His flat is on the tenth. Eileen will gain access to the building and will make her way to his place.”

Myra took in a deep breath. “But how will she know if the apartment is empty?”

“Ring the doorbell, dear.”

Hoots of laughter filled the room.

“Oh, Charles, I wish you wouldn’t patronize me.” Myra gave him a stern look. “But I suppose I’m very sensitive about this entire matter because it’s Charlotte.” She smiled at her friend.

“I don’t mean to be so much trouble!” Charlotte was teetering on the edge of tears.

“There, there. You are not trouble. I’m much more comfortable with details. That’s all.” Myra took another deep breath and managed to calm herself.