Weekend Warriors (Sisterhood #1)(30)

Nikki sat down at the table, her hands cupping the mug full of fresh coffee. “I have to tell you something. You know me better than anyone else in the world. You’re the mother I never had. You took me in when I was a little girl and raised me like your own daughter. Do you see a flaw in me? You know, did you ever…think maybe I had a screw loose?”

“Good heavens, no. Why are you asking me such a thing?”

“Because…because…do you believe in spirits, dead people coming back and…helping, talking to you.”

“Oh, I see, this farm is finally getting to you, is that it? Dear, there are all kinds of spirits in this old place. They’re floating all around. I’ve learned to pay them no mind. They’re just restless and they did live here. If anything, they’ve given mea sense of security because I know they’re watching out for me. But to answer your other question, no they do not talk to me and no I haven’t really seen them. I feel their presence sometimes. It’s not a bad thing, dear.”

Nikki bit down on her lip. She’d almost confided in Myra about her little talks with Barbara. She was glad now she’d kept quiet. She sipped from the cup she was holding. She nodded. “Is everything on schedule, Myra?”

“As Charles says, we are on target. Kathryn and Yoko will be ready to leave for San Francisco as soon as Charles gets his cycle confirmations. Julia is…where she needs to be. She’ll be doing surgery on her two patients at seven o’clock. She’ll stay there for three days and then fly back here where they will do what needs to be done at which point she will then fly back to check on her patients, remove the sutures and then fly on to Los Angeles. Isabelle is now working out of the old summer pantry. She’s ready to leave on vacation the minute we give her the go-ahead. Alexis is in town replenishing her…supplies. She’ll fly out of Washington the minute everything is settled.”

“Shouldn’t I be doing something? I’m pretty much at loose ends, Myra. I turned my caseload over to my partners a few weeks ago. I’m not teaching now. I need something to do.”

“Charles would dearly love it if you would help him. He’s dying to show off all he’s done to someone who can appreciate his expertise. I would never admit this to Charles or anyone else, but that War Room absolutely terrifies me. All those computers, all that knowledge stored on those little squares. The different programs, the lights, the bells and whistles.” She shook her head, her arms flapping every which way.

“Does everyone have a laptop?”

Myra nodded. “Top of the line, according to Charles. He managed somehow to get what he calls a secure line. It’s a line that no one can bug. That means listen in on, dear. I believe they have them in all the big government buildings. It’s in case the girls have to call in. From a pay phone, of course. Although Charles did give them some kind of new cell phones. He held a class yesterday for two hours teaching them how to use it. It was all Greek to me.”

“After I shower, I’ll volunteer my services. Are you wishing your case was first, Myra?”

“I have to be realistic, dear. The man’s embassy returned him to China. There are billions of people in China. We could never touch him over there.”

“That’s what you think. Myra, the man comes from an influential family. If Charles hasn’t already done it, he can get on the information highway and pull him up, in I’d say no less than thirty minutes. I always wanted to see China,” Nikki smiled.

“Are you saying we won’t have to wait for him to return here at some point in time?”

“That’s what I’m saying, Myra.”

“They never let you out of those Chinese prisons,” Myra said.

“First you have to be caught and be in a prison,” Nikki said smugly. “That won’t happen. Yoko speaks Chinese. Fluently. Kathryn speaks Chinese and seven other languages. She told me she and her husband used to listen to the Berlitz tapes while on the road. She could brush up and be as fluent as Yoko when your time comes. She’s also a brown belt. So is Yoko. Alexis can make us all look oriental. The possibilities are endless. Now, you have something to think about and plan while we’re on the road or involved in a case.” She gave her a quick hug. “I’m going to take my shower now.”

Myra beamed, her eyes sparkling. “Nikki, Jack is so unworthy of you.”

“Tell that to my heart, Myra. From lovers to adversaries.” She shrugged.

“You always tell me everything happens for a reason, Nikki.”

Nikki carried her cup to the sink. “Myra, is there any way, any way at all, that Jack Emery can find Marie Lewellen and her family?”

“Absolutely none, dear. He will have to get his notoriety from some other case.”

“And they are going to earn a living…how?”

“Marie is going to make quilts. She does lovely work. Handmade quilts are outrageously expensive, as you know. Mr. Lewellen is going to make Shaker furniture and sell it on the Internet. He is so detail-oriented. He does magnificent work.”

Nikki burst out laughing. “And you’re going to buy it all up, is that it?”

“Only in the beginning until they get established. I’ll donate them all to the church bazaar at Christmastime,” Myra smiled.

“I love you, Myra Rutledge,” Nikki called over her shoulder as she made her way upstairs.