Fern Michaels - Tuesday’s Child

“Yes, look what he did. I know he confessed to killing his wife, but there’s something about it that just doesn’t ring true to me. I’m very glad for Sophie Lee’s sake, but for some reason it just isn’t adding up for me. For the life of me I cannot figure out what it is. Do you have any ideas about it?”

Kala shrugged as she got to her feet. “I’ll have the office call you later today after they arrange for the press conference. I promise to be humble tomorrow.”

Spenser laughed. “Enjoy your meeting with Sophie.”

“I will. Thanks for the tea. You can keep that diary. We have a ton of them. All but the last one. Give it some thought, Spenser. You were there that day. Try to remember if you saw it, didn’t think it was important, whatever.”

“Kala, I can’t afford to lose any more sleep over this. When I can’t figure something out, I can’t sleep. I was hoping tonight for a good night’s sleep.”

“If I can’t sleep, why should you?” Kala quipped.

THEY WERE EXCITED, BABBLING TO EACH OTHER, AS THEY watched the sleek charter plane’s wheels hit the runway. The late-afternoon sun coated the plane and the surrounding air in a golden sheen that looked like a glistening nimbus. That did not go unnoticed by any of the six people waiting expectantly for Sophie Lee’s arrival.

The plan was for all of them to return to the Aulani offices, where two bottles of Dom Pérignon were chilling for a small celebration. And then, Kala had said, “us old people will go about our business and let the young people get reacquainted.” Meaning, of course, Sophie, Patty, and Nick. Patty had argued with Nick for hours, saying Sophie needed to stay with her. Nick could see the logic of it, and, of course, he was invited along, but still he didn’t like it. He wanted Sophie to himself. He wanted so much, but he knew that Sophie couldn’t be overwhelmed right then.

“Slow and steady” had been Ben’s fatherly advice, and he knew it was good advice. Following it would be the hard part. His good hip ached. He ignored the ache and concentrated on the plane, which had just come to a standstill. Even though he wore sunglasses, the glare of the sun was blinding. Would he even be able to see Sophie clearly when she first appeared in the cabin doorway? He could hardly wait to drink in the sight of her.

Jay sidled up to Kala, his cell in hand. He read from a short text he’d just received. “Press conference is scheduled for ten o’clock at the courthouse. Spenser confirmed. We’re good to go, Kala.”

Kala nodded. Her big problem was what color flower to wear in her hair. Red or white? A wicked thought raced through her mind. She wondered if she could convince Spenser to wear a white hibiscus in his lapel, and she’d wear one in her hair. A united front. The bullshit is over. We’re a team who in the end just wants justice to be served. No one’s ego had to be stroked. Done. Over. Her heart kicked up an extra beat.

“The door is opening,” Patty squealed.

“You look too serious, sweetheart,” Ben whispered in Kala’s ear. “Lighten up. By the way, when we go home, we are going to go through those mail sacks. An old friend of mine called me this morning to tell me he sent me something he wanted an opinion on and wanted to know why I hadn’t responded. I explained about the mail, being away, then coming back to this circus. I promised to read through it this evening and get back to him ASAP.”

“Works for me. I don’t have anything planned for this evening. And you’re right, I can’t back out my convertible because Patty dumped the sacks behind it. That means we have a plan. Are you going to grill some tuna for us? I’ll make the salad, and I’ll even clean the grill.”

“Now that’s an offer I can’t refuse. There’s our girl, Kala!”

And there she was. Sophie wore a white waffle-weave sundress that showed off her glorious tan. Kala blinked at her fashionable haircut, the highlights in it, but she was stunned to see a cluster of white hibiscus tucked behind her right ear. She frowned and didn’t know why. Around her neck, Sophie wore a scarlet lei that looked professionally made. The frown stayed on Kala’s face. Even from where she was standing she could make out the gold locket around Sophie’s neck. She wondered why the young woman wasn’t moving. It looked to her like Sophie was posing, so that the moment was frozen in time. And then she saw the big dog heading down the steps. Sula! She’d forgotten about Sula.

Kala looked down at the shopping bag at Patty’s feet. Jon’s ashes.

The sun dimmed as a puffy white cloud sailed underneath. All of them sucked in their breath as Sophie picked up her feet and ran toward them, Sula sprinting ahead.

Sophie stopped short at the gate, Sula at her side. She looked at everyone and started to cry before she walked through to her loved ones.

Nick wanted to hold out his arms and wished with all his might that Sophie would rush into them. She did, but not right away.

Patty, tears rolling down her face, could only say, “God, I missed you, Sophie.”

Jay and Linda smiled as they, too, wondered about the white flowers tucked into Sophie’s hair.

Sophie stepped to the side of the little group and homed in on Kala. Her smile rivaled the sun that was shining again. Kala watched as Sophie advanced and withdrew the scarlet lei and draped it around her neck. “I made it myself on the way here. I picked the flowers fresh and kept them cooled in the refrigerator on the plane. I made it just before we landed.” She hugged Kala so tight, Kala thought her ribs were cracked.

“Welcome home, Sophie,” Kala whispered.

Sophie went down the line, kissing, hugging, and crying until she came to Nick. She stepped into his outstretched arms and kissed him on the cheek. “There are no words to tell you how much I missed you, Nick,” she murmured against his cheek.

The three young people moved forward, leaving Jay, Linda, Kala, and Ben. A string of marshmallow clouds slid past the sun, allowing Kala to see the strange expression on Jay’s face.

“Time to celebrate, people! Our girl is home, and this whole sorry mess is finally over. Why are you all looking like that?” Ben asked.

“Like what?” Kala asked testily.

“Like you suddenly lost your best friend. You all just got your best friend back. We should be happy, and there should be a spring in your steps. You’re lagging,” Ben responded.

“Yeah, why is that?” Linda asked.

“I think it’s your imagination, Ben,” Kala said. “Sophie looks beautiful, doesn’t she, Linda?”

“She sure does. On my best day, I could never look that good,” Linda said, but there was no envy in her voice.

“Honey, you are every bit as beautiful as Sophie every day of your life.”

“That was certainly the right answer. Even if it isn’t true.” Linda giggled.

“That girl has come into her own. She’s set for life. She doesn’t have a worry in the world right now. What’s that old ditty, Kala?” Not waiting for a response, Ben came up with the answer. “Ah, yes, the world is her oyster. Meaning, of course, there is a priceless pearl in said oyster. Did I get that right, Kala?”

Kala smiled. “Close enough, dear. Look at them! Have you ever seen a happier trio in your life? Such a remarkable friendship. Such deep loyalty. And they’re orphans,” Kala said. She didn’t expect a comment, and there was none forthcoming.

The driving arrangements completed, everyone got in their cars to head to the Aulani offices for the celebration of Sophie’s return.

An hour later, the first champagne cork flew across the room. They all toasted Sophie’s return. They drained their glasses as Linda popped the second bottle. “This one is to sip before we call it a day,” she said happily.