InSight

before you die and save yourself the humiliation in the process.” He moved away. “We’ll wait for the police outside.”
    Conti kept a gun on her as they back-walked off the veranda in case she decided to aim it at them. She thought about it briefly, but she’d always taken care of her own business. Then they were gone. She stared at her gun, an efficient piece. A .38. Enough to do the job. She got up and walked to the railing. The waterway, wide and dark blue, now rippled from the breeze that had picked up. This was the world she’d known for almost forty years. A cool gust dislodged a strand of perfectly groomed hair. She fingered it back behind her ear. The sun didn’t seem as warm now, and she walked inside to get her suit jacket. She freshened her lipstick, then returned to sit at the table.
    No, no cage. She signed her own death warrant by confessing her brilliance to Abby. It may have been the stupidest thing she’d ever done. But like everything she’d ever accomplished, she would have complete control. This time, over her demise.
    She’d prefer pills to avoid the mess, but she didn’t have time. They’d get here in time to pump her stomach. She drew a long breath and picked up the gun. Not in the head. She wouldn’t be photographed with her brains splattered all over the veranda. Opening the suit jacket, she touched her heart to find the beat. It was amazingly slow. Tick-tock, like the beat of a clock, the time running down. Her index finger hooked around the trigger as a smile curled her lips. Hopefully, it would be on her face when they found her.

Chapter Forty-Six
    The Reunion

    W hen Luke invited everyone over to Abby’s with plans to grill out, Jeff said Eric would take the night off and prepare a special dinner in celebration of Abby’s survival. Eric had arrived a couple of hours earlier to begin cooking.
    After Meyer and Lucy showed up, they all gathered in the living room.
    “You look great, Meyer,” Luke said.
    “All due to this wonderful woman here. Lucy kept me going. Wouldn’t give me a moment’s rest.”
    Happiness shone on Lucy’s face. “He’s a miracle. That’s what the doctors said. A miracle, aren’t you, darling?”
    “You’re the miracle,” Meyer said, wrapping his arm around her shoulder and pulling her close. “I was lucky. Only a little numbness in my left hand and a slight limp. Hardly anything at all.”
    “Oh, and guess what?” Lucy said.
    “We give up,” Abby and Luke said in unison.
    Lucy disentangled herself from Meyer’s hold and crouched down in front of Abby. She placed her daughter’s fingers on her ring finger.
    “Is that what I think it is?” Abby asked.
    “Meyer has asked me to marry him. I’m so excited I could do cartwheels.”
    Abby threw her arms around her mother and hugged her. Luke couldn’t see what Abby said, but both were smiling.
    Meyer beamed. “I’m the luckiest man in the world.”
    “Okay, guys,” Jeff said. “Enough of this mushy stuff. You straight people should keep all that in private.”
    “Hear, hear,” Eric agreed. “Now let’s eat before the food gets cold, but first a toast to the almost newlyweds.” Eric examined the label on Meyer’s bottle of wine. “ Mmm , it’s a good one. Thanks, Meyer. A perfect complement to my perfect dinner.”
    “And a happy occasion,” Luke said. Everyone clicked glasses, tipping them to the beaming couple. Lucy’s held iced tea.
    * * * * *
    After dinner, while Eric, Lucy, and Meyer talked about food, wine, and plans for the upcoming wedding, Jeff, Luke, and Abby, followed by Daisy, slipped outside to the patio. Luke flipped on the outside light.
    “I didn’t want to dampen Lucy’s news by bringing up all the bad things that have happened,” Abby said. “She still hasn’t gotten over my first near-death experience. This last one was almost more than she could handle.”
    Luke watched her find a chair, resisting the impulse to help. He had learned that Abby did fine without him hovering, and unless she either asked or he saw imminent danger, that’s the way it’d stay.
    “So now that it’s the three of us, what’s happening?” she asked.
    “The police rounded them all up,” Luke said. “Mrs. Gentry’s son-in-law, the accountants, chemists, Serrano’s Boston operation—everyone involved in their nasty scheme. Dr. Kozov turned up after the raid. She’s fine and willing to talk. Immigration is reviewing the files of the scientists, and those in