14

EPILOGUE

Two weeks after the murder. It was Saturday, again. The inventory was done, the rooms were all cleaned and it was party time. The DA had accepted the confession and decided that it was self defense. John O’Rourke had gone home, relieved but wiser.

Paul and Carla had driven down for the weekend, as had Henry and his wife Pat. Joe would come by as soon as he could. Corrine felt happier than she had since this whole mess had started.

She had conferred with Mrs. Wexler and Chef Anton. They had decided to hire some help, one to live there and help Mrs. Wexler and two to come during the day. They then decided to have the weekend party, and made all kinds of plans.

The weather was cooperating, cool but clear. But when the men saw the game room on Friday, they disappeared. Paul and Henry were in there now.

“If I had known about that room before, I would have found all kinds of excuses not to come,” said Carla. “We’ll never get the men out of there.”

“I don’t mind,” Pat replied. “Henry works hard, all hours and needs a break. This is just what the doctor ordered.” She smiled. “Besides, that pool table isn’t the only thing in there. There are things in there we can use as well, isn’t there?”

“Probably, but we need fresh air and exercise, too.”

“Come on, Carla,” said Corrine with a smile. “Let them have their fun for a while. We’ll drag them out, kicking and screaming later. We can have some girl talk until Joe gets here. He’s already seen the game room and it didn’t affect him like that. We can get him to help us.”

By the time Joe arrived, Corrine, Carla and Pat had gotten to know each other pretty well and the men had a few games under their belts. They were willing to come out and mingle. The rest of Saturday and most of Sunday, they celebrated. When Paul and Carla left for Dover, they had Corrine’s completed work with them and her promise to return to the office the following week.

The lawyer promised to keep in touch. He’d filed the will and it was just a matter of time. In the meantime, he was going through the holdings for her to decide what she would keep and what she wanted to dispose of. He’d be in touch as soon as he had it completed.

Finally, it was just Corrine and Joe. The staff was in the kitchen cleaning up, or in their rooms. “‘Rinne, it looks like it’s finally over. You’ve got the estate and a bright future. But now that you’re gonna be rich, is there still room for me in your life?”

“Joe, you’ve become the most important part of my life. I don’t want to lose you. You don’t want out now, do you?” She looked up at him with a worried expression on her face.

He reached out and hugged her. “Never. But the foyer is no place for us to be doing this. Let’s go into the living room.”

“No. I’ve got a better idea. There’s a room you haven’t seen and I want to show it to you now.” She took his hand and pulled him upstairs, then down the hall. She opened the door to the sanctuary, as she privately called it, and turned the lights on.

“‘Rinne!”

“Come on in, Joe,” said Corrine. “This is the perfect place for us to sit and talk, or whatever.”

“Whatever you say.” Joe allowed himself to be led to the loveseat. They sat down and he pulled her into her arms and kissed her. She sighed and snuggled closer to him.

This is where I belong, she thought. And I think this is finally, the end.