Page 151 of Say Yes to the Death

- Assemble Code Purple Task Force

- Kidnap Wendy

“You did what?” Luke shouted.

Rosie popped her head up from a new dog bed in Luke’s living room—undoubtedly another apology purchase from him.

“Yeah, I know,” Claire said sheepishly. She took a sip of hot cocoa and leaned back in the breakfast nook. “But everything was fine. Only one person ended up unconscious, and it wasn’t any of us, so I call that a win.

“That was so stupid and dangerous.” He looked ready to flip the table. “Did we not just have a conversation about honesty?”

“Yes, we did, and I’m sorry. That’s why I’m telling you now. Listen, we can debate later about how stupid it was,” she said. “But right now, we need to come up with a plan. Wendy is in imminent danger. We need to kidnap her before they can.”

“You know if you kidnap her, she’s going to sue you even harder,” Kyle said over a steaming cup of tea.

Nicole and Mindy nodded and yawned. It was almost midnight.

“If it’s between Wendy getting murdered and getting sued again, I pick the latter. So, we need a two-fold plan. We need to kidnap Wendy, and then we need to lay a trap. Who’s got ideas?”

She glared at Kyle when he popped his hand into the air. “And for the record, any suggestions of calling the police and letting them handle it will not be entertained. They don’t believe me about ESA, so they surely won’t send someone to watch out for Wendy. I refuse to have her death on my hands.”

Kyle put his hand down.

Claire whirled on Mindy. “And where the hell is Gavin?”

Mindy shrugged. “He couldn’t make it. He has an exam tomorrow.”

“He’s forfeited his option to be on the Code Purple Task Force, then. Good to know we can’t count on him in an emergency.” Claire scribbled in her notebook and closed the cover. “Someone just lost their spot in the bunker.”

“Is there really a bunker?” Sawyer whispered to Kyle.

“Don’t worry about it,” the other four said in unison.

“I have an idea for the second half of the plan,” Luke said suddenly.

Apparently, he was on board now.

“Go on.”

“Throw an event in her honor. That will draw them out.”

Claire glared at him. “You want me to throw another event to honor the psychopath who threw a fire extinguisher at me during mediation? Besides, we have less than twenty-four hours. Where am I going to get a venue? And a reason to honor her?”

Sawyer cleared his throat. “Surely one of the couples you’ve planned proposals for could help out. A lot of people owe you.”

“That could work,” Mindy piped up. “What about Sally? She works for West Haven Magazine. They have a monthly column about women in business. We could ask the magazine to throw together a small reception celebrating local female entrepreneurs and get her to invite Wendy for a speaking role.”

“Okay…maybe.” Claire stood up to pace. Could they really pull something this elaborate off in less than a day?

“But a venue?” She turned back to the table.

“What about the historical society? Remember Mei said they owed you a favor after that proposal we did at the Walker house quadrupled their donations and foot traffic,” Nicole suggested.

Claire looked out the window into the dark night and sighed. It was too chaotic, too messy, but it was the only plan they had. “It’s worth a shot. Okay, triage time. I’ll call Sally. Mindy, you leave an emergency voicemail for Mei at the historical society. Luke, Sawyer, and Kyle are on security detail. Nicole, we need you to photograph the event and take pictures of anyone who looks suspicious. We need to know who these demented frat boys are.”

Luke stood up and disappeared down the hallway.

“If it’s a reception, won’t we need light refreshments? Maybe some booze?” Mindy said. “It has to look legit.”

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