I kept checking my phone as the makeup artist and hair dresser worked their wonders, turning me into the maid of honor that I was always meant to be.
Aunt DeeDee popped in and out, zipping us up and pouring us more drinks, and Savilla and Jemma kept the conversation lively, making me glad that I hadn’t let my sister in on this mystery at least. One of us needed to be oblivious enough to not be freaking out. I only hoped that mine and Lacy’s nerves would be attributed to the large guest list rather than to fear of whoever had killed Todd.
I still hadn’t heard a peep from Deputy Wright as I stood in the Salon in full makeup and an updo, ready to make my way down to the ballroom with the restof the party.
Lacy’s mother was helping her get into her dress, now fully repaired, and two photographers were milling about, snapping candids and buzzing in and out of view.
“You know you don’t have to do this,” Lacy’s mother had told her. “It’s been… quite a weekend. We can reschedule, perhaps try a destination wedding next summer.”
Lacy hadn’t told her parents about the stolen art or our side investigations, but they knew a man was dead and that was enough.
“I want to marry Anton,” Lacy had answered, which was true.
I stood next to Savilla, who stood next to Jemma, in front of a long mirror, waiting to see Lacy in her full glory.
“Maybe it will be your turn soon?” Savilla said, interrupting my thoughts.
“For…?” I asked, genuinely unsure what she meant.For thieving? For murdering?
“For nuptials!” Savilla finished. “For maritated bliss!”
Although I guessed she meant “marital” and “consummated”, the word sounded more like some kind of marination, a prospect that wasn’t nearly as inviting. But I wasn’t going to argue with her this afternoon.
“What about you?” I said to Savilla. “You really seemed to enjoy holding Ollie for hours during the bachelorette party.”
“I have no romantic prospectives, but I’d love to be a doting auntie,” Savilla answered, raising her eyebrows.
“Ooooh… me too,” Aunt DeeDee said, coming into the room and immediately getting in on the conversation. “Can’t you just see a little Dakota–Charlie combo running around these halls?”
I could not see it, but I didn’t want to burst their bubble. “Maybe someday, but first we need to make sure he’s out of jail. Visiting him at the penitentiary for two hours each Saturday might put a damper on our future plans.”
Jemma laughed. She’d been mostly unfazed and unafraid by the events of the weekend, which was how she operated most of the time. I still remembered wandering through the tunnel underthe estate during the pageant, with her attempting to keep me from freaking out.
“I never want kids,” Jemma said, as she wrinkled her nose in distaste. “They poop and sleep. Then, they walk and poop and sleep. Then, they complain and walk and poop and sleep. Kids aren’t like wine. They don’t improve with age.”
Savilla swatted playfully at her, and she put an arm over each of our shoulders, looking at our reflections in the glass. Momma would’ve been proud to see us like this, even if it was in the middle of a criminal investigation.
“Bridal party, ready?” called a member of staff who was applying to be the Rose Palace’s full-time wedding coordinator. Savilla had told her that directing this ceremony could be part of her trial run.
“Ready.”
I turned as Lacy stepped forward in her full regalia for the first time, swaths of fabric fitted around her perfect figure, tulle and satin shrouding her as if she were a gift to be unwrapped.
“You look like a dream,” Savilla said with a sigh.
“Perfection,” Aunt DeeDee declared.
“You look like the prettiest meringue ever,” I said, making Lacy and the others laugh. I took her hand in mine and squeezed. “Really, though, you are so beautiful.”
“Ditto,” Lacy said, and I knew that she meant it in all the ways. “I’m sorry Charlie’s not here.”
“Me too, but it’s okay. Like you said, today’s just a blip on the rest of our lives.”
“A blip,” Lacy agreed, stroking the back of my hand with her thumb.
“Time to line up,” the coordinator shouted, just as Deputy Wright burst into the room, startling all of us.
“We have it!” Jill called loudly enough for the other side of the house to hear. She was waving something in her hands, and Charlie was right behind her, looking just like I’d seen him a few hours earlier, but now free from behind thosebars.
