Janet Evanovich - Full Scoop

Mel looked at Lydia, her expression confused.

"Why don't you tell Mel the good news, Lydia?" Carl Lee said.

Lydia gave a shaky sigh as she pulled the Barbie bedspread to the girl's shoulders and patted her gently. "Honey—" She paused and blinked back tears. "This man is your father."

Mel swung her gaze in Carl Lee's direction. "That's a lie!"

He laughed as he nudged Lydia out the door.

* * * * *

Maggie sat on the edge of the tub, massaging her stomach muscles. There had been nothing inside of her to throw up, but it hadn't stopped the violent heaving. Fear shook her. It swallowed her. She covered her face with her hands. She didn't bother to look up when someone tapped on the door.

Zack stepped inside the room and wet a washcloth. He put down the toilet lid, sat down, and reached for Maggie's hand. She pulled away.

"Listen to me, Maggie," he said softly. "Stanton is bluffing." She looked up. Her eyes were filled with pain. Zack tried to choke back his emotion. "Maggie, I would gladly take on your pain if I could. I would do anything if I could just take—" He paused. "I can't hide in this house anymore. I'm going after Stanton." He stood.

Maggie bolted from the tub. "Oh, hell no, you're not! Carl Lee will kill you the minute you step out this front door," she said, "and then he'll kill everybody in his path, including my daughter. You're all I've got, Zack, my only hope of ending this nightmare and saving Mel's life. Carl Lee can't know you're here."

He turned away and raked his hands through his hair.

"I am begging you," she said. She jumped when the phone rang in the kitchen, and she blindly pushed her way past Zack and ran. She answered on the second ring.

"Okay, Maggie," Carl Lee said. "I think we can make a deal. But first I have a little job for you."

* * * * *

Zack cleared the top of the trunk, moving the laptop and everything else to Maggie's sofa. She emptied it of books and magazines and old newspapers. While the others looked on, Maggie and Zack ran their hands along the old satin lining. "I don't see or feel anything," Zack said.

Maggie hurried from the room. She returned with scissors, chisel, and hammer. "If it's there, I'll find it." The group watched quietly as Maggie cut the lining and ripped it out. When she saw nothing to indicate a false bottom, she slammed the chisel into the wood and pounded with the hammer. Together she and Zack freed the boards and answered the fourteen-year-old question as to where Carl Lee had hidden the robbery money.

* * * * *

"I don't like this one damn bit," Queenie said as Zack helped Maggie adjust the Kevlar vest in her bedroom. "What if he decides to shoot her in the head? Then what?"

"Let's try to think positively," Maggie said, knowing Zack was a breath away from scrapping her plan. She shrugged on her blouse and buttoned it. He and Maggie made their way into the kitchen, Queenie following close behind. Jamie and Max leaned against the kitchen counter. Jamie was clearly upset.

Zack's cell phone rang. He yanked it from his pocket impatiently. "Yeah, what?" he said. His eyes registered surprise. "Um, Miss Zahn, you've caught me at a really bad time," he said as Maggie sighed and gave a major eye roll. "May I call you back?"

"Okay," Zack said to Maggie a few minutes later. "Remember what I told you. I'll be watching every move through the scope. Everybody is on standby."

Maggie nodded. "You're positive the street and sidewalks are clear?"

"Yes. Once it's done, that place will be surrounded. Ambulances too," he added. "And don't forget, you'll need to—"

"I know what to do, Zack," she said.

His gaze lingered a few seconds before he started for the stairs. Maggie swallowed and dialed Lydia's number as Queenie and Jamie walked into Mel's bedroom and closed the door. Only Max remained.

Carl Lee answered. "Did you find the money?" he asked. "Is it in good shape?"

"Yes, the plastic bags protected it."

"Where is your friend's car? Lydia has already moved hers from the garage. She's waiting so she can close the garage door once it's inside."

"After I speak with Mel."

"Watch what you say, Maggie."

Maggie took a deep breath.

"Mom?"

Tears spurted from Maggie's eyes. She struggled to find her voice. "Oh, honey," she said. "I've missed you so much. Are you okay?"

"Uh-huh. I think Ben is sick. Lydia is very upset."

"I'm sorry to hear that, Mel." Maggie swiped at a tear. "Do you know what to do?"

"Yes, but why are you coming over here?"

"I'm giving Mr. Stanton his money. But you are to walk across the street and go straight inside the house. Queenie and Jamie will be waiting for you."

"Are you going to be okay, Mom?" Mel sounded afraid.

"As long as you do as you're told."

"Okay, but I have something very important I want to ask you later."

Carl Lee took the phone. "I'm waiting on the car."

Maggie turned to Max who walked out the door. "It will be inside the garage in two minutes," she said. "I'll be carrying a black suitcase with me. I will cross the street as Mel crosses." She paused. "I want to be able to give her a hug."

He hung up.

Maggie waited until Max returned through the back door. "Be careful, Maggie."

Maggie waited on her front porch. Across the street, Lydia and Ben's door opened and Mel appeared on the threshold. Maggie's heart soared at the sight of her daughter. On the outside she appeared unharmed. Maggie would do what was necessary to help her with any wounds on the inside, and she took great comfort knowing how strong and determined Mel was. Finally, she nodded at the girl, and they began to walk across the opposite lawns. They met in the center of the street and hugged. Tears streamed down Maggie's cheeks. "You know you're grounded again, right?" Maggie said with a grin.

"Duh. Is Carl Lee Stanton my father?"

"Yes. I'm sorry you had to find it out this way."

"Well, I hate him. If he goes back to prison I don't have to visit him, do I? I mean, a judge can't order it, right?"

"No." Maggie kissed her forehead. "Go to the house, honey. Arm the alarm system. Do not come back out until I get there." She saw the question in Mel's eyes. "You have to trust me."

"Don't forget about Ben."

Maggie stood straight and walked toward the Greens' house. The door was open and empty. She stopped at the bottom of the steps. And stared into the barrel of a gun.

"Let me see what's in the suitcase," Carl Lee said.

Maggie set the suitcase on the ground, flipped the locks, and opened the lid. The money was stacked neatly inside.

"Toss one of the stacks to me," he said.

She did as she was told. It landed inches from the door. "Sorry. Do you want me to try again?"

"Close the suitcase and come forward slowly."

* * * * *

From Maggie's upstairs guest room, Zack held the rifle steady and looked through the scope, his target fixed on the front door across the street. The window was open, a breeze fluttered the curtain, but Zack was careful to keep the barrel out of sight. "Come out, you mean bastard."

* * * * *

Maggie walked up the steps slowly. She paused at the edge of the porch. She could see Carl Lee's hand on the gun. "Don't point that thing at me."

"Come forward, Maggie."

She sniffed. "I hate guns. Stop pointing it at me."

He pulled the hammer back.

"Okay, I'm coming," she said quickly. She stopped several feet in front of the door. "Could you stop pointing it at my head now? I'm not coming any closer with that gun at my head." She sniffed again.

"Shut up and follow the plan!"

She started to cry. "I'm scared!" She stepped a foot closer. "Stop pointing that gun at my face. What if it goes off accidentally?"

"I'm going to count to three, Maggie," Carl Lee yelled, "and you'd better have your ass inside this door or you won't have a face left."