Page 5 of The 24th Hour

“Trouble always finds you, Linds.”

I hugged her and said, “Look who’s talking.”

Cindy smiled at her feet, then said, “We can still kinda make this work. Let’s bag the gifts. Box up the cake. Pay up. And then you tell me everything.”

“Girl Reporter,” I said, giving her a squeeze. “You’re incorrigible.”

PRESENT DAY

MONDAY

CHAPTER 1

THEDAYDREAMERWAS ninety feet of streamlined fiberglass, teak, and chrome. I’d never been on a yacht like this, but today was the day. Bob Barnett, Cindy’s agent and lawyer, had treated her to a three-hour excursion on the bay because her just-published book, coauthored with a twisted serial killer, had topped theNew York TimesBest Seller list.

We grouped around Cindy on the main deck as she read Barnett’s card out loud.

“Writing Burke’s book was an act of admirable courage and determination, Cindy. You’re a winner and your book is a new true crime classic. Promise me that you’ll relax and have fun today. Try, okay? Love, Bob.”

Cindy called out, “Thank you, Bob. Wherever you are.”

I seconded that emotion.

A ship’s officer showed us through the lounge and passageways to the aft deck, where a cushioned bench rounded the stern and lounge chairs were set up under the shade of the overhanging deck.

As the yacht cast off, Cindy took a lounge chair at the center. Claire and Yuki settled into the chairs flanking hers and I stretched out on one of the long side benches across from them. We were all beaming. It was a picture-worthy moment.

I took a selfie with my friends waving their hands behind me. Phones were passed around for portraits of a memorable day and the breeze blew away the worries of the last week. Yuki lifted her glass, saying, “To a life of happy days.”

“Hear, hear.”

Claire reached her hand over to Cindy’s chair, saying, “So we’re soon to become the Women’s Married Club.”

“Who told you?” Cindy joked.

Claire laughed. “Let’s see that blinding green bling on your finger again.”

Cindy stuck out her hand theatrically and Claire said, “Wow oh wow.”

Yuki said, “Let me see,” and Cindy showed her, too.

“It’s too gorgeous, Cindy. It’s stunning.”

“He bought it for me. I don’t even want to know what it cost him,” Cindy said, first time I’d ever seen her looking shy.

“Really suits you, Cin,” I said. I’d first seen the ring years ago. When Rich asked me what I thought of the square cut emerald I’d said, “It’s perfect!” The next day, he’d proposed to Cindy at Grace Cathedral. She’d said yes but then later changed her mind.

It had killed Richie, but he’d hung in for love.

Now, Cindy was wearing the ring again. She was getting married.

And she was marrying the perfect man.

CHAPTER 2

CLAIRE PROPPED HERSELF up on the chaise and asked Cindy, “So, tell us again, but this time fill in some details. The juicier the better. What did Richie say?”

“Aw, I don’t think I can tell you that.”

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