Deadly Deals by Fern Michaels

weekends there. Mr. Snowden’s people visited her office here and her apartment and found nothing in either place to help us. I would like her to realize her security has been penetrated at the same time Baron Bell realizes it. That’s when the rats start to scurry. Then Maggie follows up with her headline, whatever it turns out to be. At that point, it’s all in your hands, ladies.”
    â€œDo we know who has the Evanses’ baby?” Annie asked.
    â€œNot at this moment in time, but we should know sometime within the next few days. We know where the twins are at the moment. By the way, the twins’ names are Robert and Rita. The Evanses named their baby Benjamin. They called him Benjy. If it looks like the Dawsons’ surrogate is going to flee, Mr. Snowden will deter her in some manner.”
    â€œI suggest we adjourn for the evening,” Annie said as she offered up an elaborate yawn. Myra looked at her suspiciously, but Annie was oblivious to her friend’s stare. “’Night, you two. I’m so happy for both of you. I can hardly wait for the wedding.”
    â€œWill you help me, Annie?” Myra whispered. “I want it all to be perfect.”
    â€œAbsolutely,” Annie said as she pulled on her boots. “We’re all so happy for you. The girls were worrying about what color you want them to wear.”
    â€œIce blue,” Myra answered. “What color do you want to wear, Annie?”
    â€œWell, I love purple, but that might clash with the girls. Whatever works for you, dear. I’ll see you in the morning.”
    Myra followed her friend to the door. “You might as well tell me right now what it is that has you in such a tizzy. You know I’ll find out sooner or later, and if it turns out to be later, then I just might get pissy. And we don’t want that, do we?”
    â€œFish is going to be calling me soon. I…uh…I called him and we had a very nice dialogue and we’re going to do it again.”
    â€œAhhh.”
    â€œNever mind ahhh. Try ooh la la,” Annie called over her shoulder before she started to slog through the snow. It occurred to her when she was halfway to her building that she could have walked on the shoveled path instead of wading through the midthigh snow.
    â€œAwawk,” she mumbled as she brought herself out of her daydreams.

Chapter 4
    I t was barely light out when Charles set the last breakfast dish on the sideboard. The girls lined up and filled their plates. Out of the corner of their eyes, they watched Charles don his stout boots and fur-lined parka.
    â€œI heard Charles’s cell chirp, so that must mean our guest is at the foot of the mountain. That means he has to send the cable car down manually. Around four o’clock I saw him going out with the oil can,” Kathryn whispered to Nikki.
    â€œWhy are you whispering?” Nikki asked.
    Kathryn laughed. “I don’t know.” She loaded her plate with bacon and waffles.
    â€œDo you think Mr. Tyson and Charles will confer before he springs him on us? It worries me that more and more people know our current address,” Isabelle grumbled. Today she was eating sparingly and thinking about how she would look in her old bikini should she find herself on a beach in the Cayman Islands. Maybe she should order a new one and get some sun so that she didn’t look like a snowbird when she hit the beach. She chided herself for such thinking, but she couldn’t help but smile.
    â€œYou might as well tell us,” Alexis said. “We’ve all been trying to figure out why you and Annie have been wearing these secret smiles. Share!”
    Isabelle grinned, then looked at Annie, who nodded. She shared.
    The girls clapped their hands in approval.
    â€œAnnie? It’s your turn,” Myra said.
    Annie shared, her face flushed. “I talked a good game but…it’s been like forever since I…you