Karmic Debt: A Novel

By K. T. Archer

Lizzy Wallace Boudreaux has a debt to pay for killing Ross Hamiltoneven though the crime was deemed self-defense. She accepts she cant take part in a murder without invoking some bad karma, which is why she isnt surprised when fate turns in the form of her accountant, Zachary Bradshaw, who steals her money and goes on the run.

For help, Lizzy seeks friend and former FBI agent, Victoria Fontana. Despite Victorias best efforts, Zachary evades them, so Lizzy takes a job to supplement her income until the culprit can be caught. She soon notices her new boss is covering up Medicare fraud, and although she needs the job, she knows turning a blind eye only means more bad karma.

Then, a spot of good news: Victoria has located Zachary in South Americabut its too late. His arrogance made him the target of a corrupt criminal group who demands the money he stole. To save his own life, he names Lizzy as his connection to the cash, and now shes a target. To save Lizzy, Victoria will jeopardize homeland security, but if all goes to plan, good karma will finally take charge.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: May 26, 2015
• ISBN: 9781491764480

K. T. Archer

K. T. Archer is the author of The Silver Spoon, Kismet, and Retribution. Life events, good and bad, are her inspiration. She and her husband live with their numerous pets in Montgomery, Alabama. Visit her online at www.ktarcher.com.

Book preview

PROLOGUE

"T his is your captain, said the accented voice through the overhead speakers. Please return to your seats and fasten your seat belts. We are beginning our descent and will be landing in ten minutes."

Lizzy joked, That’s right. Y’all sit down now.

Victoria smiled.

Dale said, Lizzy, just take some deep breaths. Her husband could see through her words and knew she was nervous.

The Learjet was small enough that the captain could have turned around to see they were already in their seats or spoken directly to them. Six plush bucket seats were aligned in two rows, creating an aisle in the middle. The first two seats, closest to the front of the plane, faced the cabin. Each seat had a bird’s-eye view from its individual window.

During the seven-hour flight, Lizzy had allowed herself to relax some, but now her anxiety was returning. She peered out to see the landscape of Uruguay. It wasn’t at all what she’d expected. Huge pastures were dotted with cattle herded by someone on horseback. Trees lined the banks of a river. The light of the setting sun ricocheted off the ripples in the water made by a boat plodding up the delta. The twinkling effect was mesmerizing.

It was hard to believe they were about to land near Montevideo, Uruguay’s capital. From this altitude, what she’d just seen could have been a picturesque scene alongside the Alabama River. She saw the private landing strip a good distance from an enormous house. Trees created a boundary around the many acres of property. Victoria had warned before they left the United States that these people were not trustworthy, but at the moment it didn’t seem to be that scary of a place.

That’s it? That’s the place? Lizzy asked.

Victoria was in front of her, with her back to the cockpit. As she glanced out the window, the light shining in gave her brown skin a glow. Her round almond-colored eyes surveyed the landscape. She nodded, smoothing her short dark hair above her right ear. Lizzy had come to know this new move as a tell that Victoria was nervous herself. Victoria was familiar with the compound because she’d worked with Mateo, the man in charge of the group they were meeting. They shared not a friendship but rather a mutual distrust for each other.

Victoria was ex-FBI and ex–Special Forces. It had been two years since she dropped into Lizzy’s life. If it hadn’t been for her, Lizzy would have been just another victim of Marcus Gibson and Ross Hamilton. Lizzy still had nightmares from that horrific experience. They both had lost something that day. For Lizzy, it was a bit of her sanity. For Victoria, it was a career. But they were both fighters and had bounced back. With the plane about to touch down, Lizzy wondered whether they’d bounce back this time too. Nothing scared Victoria, but this thing in Uruguay, it scared her.

The jet jolted in its descent, causing Lizzy’s stomach to roll, and her mind snapped back to their current situation. Flying topped the list of her least favorite things to do. She reached across the aisle, and Dale took her hand in his. Their eyes met. Any other day, she could get lost in his soulful blue eyes; she could find solace in his muscular arms while running her fingers through his blond hair. But not today. Today was going to be another addition to the category or for worse from their almost-decade-long wedding vows.

It’s going to be fine. Slow, deep breaths, her husband said.

They were about to touch down on foreign soil, for a trip that had nothing to do with pleasure. This was karmic business. Lizzy’s missing, embezzling accountant had surfaced here. He was in a whole heap of trouble with the government of this country. A voice came over the plane’s radio, drawing Lizzy’s attention to the cockpit.

From her vantage point, she could see the copilot. He was doing his due diligence, manning the control panel and the levers. The plane was losing speed and altitude. The tops of trees were beginning to fill the windows in her peripheral vision. Dale gave her hand a gentle squeeze. She looked back down at her lap, trying to calm her nerves and keep the images of a fiery crash at bay.

The plane jolted again as the landing gear touched down the first time. The pilot said something in Spanish in what sounded like an assertive tone. Lizzy looked up and encountered a questionable sight. The copilot was getting out of his seat while the aircraft was still in motion, and even though she hadn’t flown much, this didn’t seem normal. She looked at Dale, who also had noticed, apparently. He’d leaned forward in his seat.

Lizzy said, That doesn’t seem right, does it?

Before either could do or say anything else, and before Victoria got the chance to see for herself, the wheels made contact again with the ground, and the man pushed on the door of a hidden compartment near Victoria’s head. In one swift, fluid motion, he pulled a gun out, stepped into the cabin, and placed the muzzle against Victoria’s temple.

He said, Make one move, and I kill her.

Lizzy gasped. Her eyes locked on her friend’s, but she could see Victoria’s right hand creeping its way to the latch on the seat belt that clinched her to the seat. Lizzy fought the urge to look at her moving hand because the copilot was concentrating on Lizzy and Dale. Lizzy wanted to be sure he didn’t look down and see what Victoria was doing. Meanwhile, the plane had coasted to a stop.

Hold on a minute, said Lizzy. There’s no need for this.

Victoria was just about to unlock the belt when the man did indeed take a glance at her. His voice, thickly laden with a Spanish accent, was flat and deliberate. Agent Fontana, I will not hesitate to paint the wall with your brains. Please place your hands on your knees. He pushed the muzzle of the gun harder against her temple, causing her head to tilt.

She did as instructed, although Lizzy could see the fury growing. Victoria’s nostrils flared like those of a raging bull with each deep breath she took. The jaw muscles under her milk-chocolate skin flexed rhythmically. The almond color of her eyes disappeared as her pupils expanded.

The pilot made his way out of the cockpit. He unlatched the exit door and unfolded the stairs from within the floor compartment. Time seemed to slow as the events in the cabin exploded. A muscular, dark-skinned man wearing military fatigues rushed in and moved straight for Lizzy. In one swift move, he broke her grip from Dale’s hand, twisting her arm. She screamed from the pain in her shoulder as he moved behind her. The man continued on his mission to unfasten and remove her from the seat. Dale was yelling at him while unfastening himself to help her. Her assailant had released her arm and snaked his arm around her neck, pulling her over the top of the seat toward the back of the plane. Dale had just gotten to his feet when another man delivered a blow to the back of Dale’s head with the butt of his assault rifle. He crumpled to the floor as Lizzy reached for him, fighting against the death grip of the beast behind her, who held her so tightly that it was difficult to breathe. Attempts to kick and scratch herself free were futile.

Her assailant’s chest vibrated from the depth of his voice. Mrs. Boudreaux, their safety depends on you. Stop fighting. She wiggled underneath his grip again. Unbelievably, he tightened his hold on her, completely cutting off any intake of air. He demanded, Stop fighting!

She conceded. His choke hold loosened some, and she was able to draw in a breath. Her eyes darted around the cabin, which was now overrun with men in military fatigues. One placed zip-tie handcuffs around Dale’s wrists as he lay motionless, facedown on the floor. But the majority of the soldiers were around the area where Victoria had been sitting. Her training in the FBI and Special Forces of the military made her lethal, and they’d unleashed the warrior. Grunts, groans, and growls rumbled within the pile of bodies. She wasn’t going down without a fight. Lizzy feared Victoria’s resistance would get her killed.

Lizzy tugged against the grip of her captor, who struck her in the side of her head with something hard. Her adrenaline was too fierce for her to feel any pain. Lizzy screamed, Make them stop! Make them stop!

The whole pile in front of her rolled to the opposite side of the plane. The cramped quarters and number of people inside the plane made the scene look like a mosh pit. Victoria’s bloody face came into view. Her lips curled back, exposing her teeth, and Lizzy watched as the heel of Victoria’s hand planted firmly into the throat of one of the soldiers. He grasped his throat, sucking for air that would never come. Several hands reached for her, stifling her momentum, and they were finally able to pin her to the floor.

Lizzy watched in horror as they zip-tied Victoria’s hands behind her back. Each man took a turn getting a final blow in now that she was unable to fight back.

Suddenly, a voice thundered through the cabin. Enough!

The soldiers all looked to the door of the plane, where the man stood. He stepped inside, scanning the scene and then focusing on Victoria.

You, Victoria said with disgust between her pants from the pain.

Yes, Agent Fontana. It seems our paths were destined to cross again. He smiled as if this brought him great pleasure. This man’s voice was richly accented as well, but his accent sounded more Middle Eastern, not Hispanic like the copilot’s.

Looking at him, Lizzy thought he seemed out of place. In another situation he would have looked like a businessman on casual Friday at the office. He wore a collared plaid pullover shirt with the top button undone, tucked into dark-blue slacks held in place by a brown leather belt, and a large gold watch on his left wrist. The black hair of a five-o’clock shadow was just slightly visible against the olive skin of his face, and his jet-black hair was slicked back into a small ponytail at the nape of his neck. Tall and lean but muscular, he didn’t bear the signs of a man who’d get his hands dirty. He wore a diamond-encrusted ring on the ring finger of his right hand. He was more GQ than combat-ready.

Nigel, said Victoria, we’re on a different playing field now. I’m no longer with the agency, so those rules don’t apply to me.

Coyly, he asked, But does that make us any less adversaries? Without giving her the opportunity to answer, he instructed the soldiers to get her into a seat and remove the dead man from the plane.

A soldier yelled, Get her in a seat? She needs to be put to death for what she’s done!

Nigel wasn’t used to such obstinate behavior. His own soldiers had learned the hard way that when he gave an order, it wasn’t up for debate or negotiation. But these were not his men. They were on loan from Mateo, so he’d have to handle this differently. He’d give the man another chance.

Sympathetically, he said to the soldiers, I’m sorry you lost one of your comrades, but he died with honor. He moved out of the doorway of the plane and took a seat where Victoria had been seated. He watched as two of the soldiers removed the body.

The defiant soldier glared at Nigel as he left the plane. Nigel thought, Mateo, this is why you are still doing hand-to-hand combat instead of leading your people. Everyone needed to get through this transaction; otherwise, he would have had his only colleague accompanying him drop the man where he stood.

Victoria had been shoved into the seat Lizzy had occupied during the flight, and Dale had been placed in the one behind her. He was showing vague signs of movement. Lizzy had been so still that her captor had loosened his grip. Instinctively, she pulled free from his hold and rushed forward to check on Dale and Victoria. Are y’all—

The large man snatched her back by her hair, and she felt some of it ripping from the roots. The adrenaline coursed swiftly through her, and she turned toward him to fight back. The man’s fist was drawn, ready to hit her, but it was a punch he would never land. Lizzy’s ears rang from the sound of the gunfire inside the small space. The man in front of her paused. Blood dribbled from the hole in the middle of his forehead, and then his burly, lifeless body fell to the floor. She froze.

A few seconds passed, and above the ringing in her ears, she heard, Mrs. Boudreaux.

Lizzy looked over her shoulder to see the soldier who’d shot his comrade holstering his pistol. He had what looked like burn scars on his chin and neck. The man hovered near Nigel, and she realized he was Nigel’s watchdog. He wasn’t the one who had said her name, though. No, it had been the one Victoria called Nigel.

Again, he said, Mrs. Boudreaux, I intend for no harm to come to you, but you have something I need.

His words were so collected. She had to look once more to be sure there was a man lying dead on the floor. The blood from his head wound was pooling on the carpet. His motionless eyes were locked on the ceiling of the plane. Her hands were trembling. She covered her mouth and closed her eyes to hold in the sobs longing to escape. Fear churned in her gut. They were now hostages of some ruthless people.

Mrs. Boudreaux, please. Do not be afraid. We have some business to attend to, and I believe you understand your safety is of utmost importance to me.

Turning away from the dead man, in a timid tone Lizzy said, That can’t be possible because I don’t even know you. I think there has been some kind of mistake.

No, there’s no mistake. He motioned for her to take the seat across the aisle from Victoria. She was all too eager to do so, because her head was spinning.

The soldier at his side moved forward and grabbed the dead man’s ankles to remove him from the plane. Lizzy watched, transfixed by the crimson path the dead man’s blood left on the carpet, which was littered with tiny pieces of gray matter and bone fragments, like bread crumbs. Closer to the cockpit, the soldier rolled the corpse on its side to get it out of the plane. The dead man’s head made a thumping sound on the steps when it was pushed from the plane. She felt nauseous.

Victoria said adamantly, I know what it is you want. She’ll never give it to you.

It registered in her head that she needed to come back to the conversation. Victoria was letting her know what to do.

He replied, Agent … I’m sorry … Victoria, do you think she’ll feel the same as you when she realizes your lives depend on it? It’s not like anyone is going to be crashing in to save the day. You all flew out of your country undetected. What other choice does she have?

Lizzy turned to look at Dale. He still seemed a little foggy from the blow to his head. She watched him carefully, ready to intervene if he began to reveal the secret the three of them shared.

Now, here’s what we’re going to do. Mrs. Boudreaux, I’m going to send your friend and husband away for safekeeping. When I get what I want, you get what you want.

Thinking of what he’d done to the man who seemed to work for him, she shook her head. Lizzy pulled her gaze from Dale and turned her attention to Nigel. I’m not letting you take them God-knows-where. They stay with me.

This is not your democracy of the United States. It isn’t up for a vote or negotiations. They will be safe, though, as long as you do as you’re told. The scarred soldier returned and stood next to Nigel. Lizzy could see the strap across his chest that gave way to the assault rifle behind him.

Victoria spat, She won’t do it.

Then maybe I can influence her decision. He threw up a couple of fingers and waved them at Dale. The soldier pulled at the barrel of the gun, brought it around in front of him, and took aim.

Lizzy’s heart pounded in her chest. She jumped from her seat between Dale and the gunman, throwing her hands out in front of her. No! No! No! Closing her eyes, she prepared for the bullet to hit her, but someone pushed her, knocking her into the wall.

Nigel yelled, Halt!

Lizzy opened her eyes and saw that the gunman had removed his finger from the trigger, and Victoria was standing where she had been, glaring down at Nigel. He’d stopped the gunman from killing Victoria. Lizzy’s mind was scrambling with questions. Victoria was keeping her from giving him what he wanted, but Nigel wouldn’t kill Victoria—but he would kill people working for him. What the hell was going on, and who were these people anyway? Surely, Victoria hadn’t known she was bringing them into this ambush. Mateo and Nigel must have reworked the deal. But why was this important to Nigel? Lizzy regained her composure and stood next to Victoria. Whatever was going on, they were on the same side, and Lizzy had to trust her.

As you can see, she’s a little crazy, Victoria said, turning to look at Lizzy. She has no fear. Staring into Lizzy’s eyes, Victoria blinked slowly.

When Ross Hamilton had vowed to kill Lizzy, Victoria had said, Fear will get you killed. Her message was coming through loud and clear. She didn’t want Lizzy’s fear to show, but she was deathly afraid of this man and his soldiers.

Lizzy took a deep breath and swallowed hard. As calmly as she could, she said to Nigel, You hurt either one of them, and I wish you luck with whatever it is you need.

The corner of his mouth rose in a smirk. Mrs. Boudreaux, you do have spunk. I like that about you. They stared at each other for a moment. Okay, I give you my word that no harm will come to them, so we can conduct our business. She had a feeling his word wasn’t worth much, but he was in control. Now please let my men escort them from the plane.

Lizzy hadn’t noticed that Dale had come back to them completely, but just then, she heard his voice. You son of a bitch. She turned to see him getting up from his seat and trying to get his hands free from the restraints.

Mr. Boudreaux, we do not wish to fight you anymore, Nigel said. There is some business your wife and I need to conduct.

Dale spat, You bastard. You’d better not hurt her. Because he’d been so out of it, Dale had missed the killing of the man intent on hurting her.

Nigel said, I assure you—that is the last thing I want. Her safety is of the utmost importance at this time. We share a common bond. Now please go with my men peacefully.

Victoria said, Dale, leave the plane.

He looked at her for a moment as if she’d lost her mind. Victoria, what the hell? We’re just going to leave her here? I don’t think so. Once again, the cabin of the plane started filling with soldiers.

Dale, please just go with them, Lizzy said. I don’t know what’s going on, but he’s not going to hurt me. At least she hoped he wasn’t going to hurt her.

Listen to these women, Mr. Boudreaux. It is in your best interest. Nigel motioned toward the door.

Dale stepped up next to his wife. Lizzy, this isn’t right.

I know. She touched his face gently.

I love you.

She replied, I love you too.

He placed a soft kiss on her lips before he was pulled away. Reluctantly, he allowed the men to escort him from the plane, looking back at her once more as he was pulled through the door. He’d just moved out of sight when two more soldiers entered to get Victoria.

Victoria turned to face Lizzy and whispered, I never would have brought you if I’d known.

Lizzy nodded.

Stay strong, Elizabeth. She deliberately enunciated each syllable of Lizzy’s full name, slowly sending a chill up her spine.

Because Ross Hamilton had insisted on always calling her by her full name, never Lizzy, everyone in their inner circle knew what it would do to her to be addressed like that. The association took her immediately to a place where someone wanted to do her bodily harm or, even worse, kill her. Victoria was setting her on high alert for a reason.

I trust you, Lizzy replied.

Victoria moved in the direction of the soldiers. Until we meet again, Nigel.

Now Lizzy was left with Nigel and his goons. She moved to the opposite side of the plane, trying to see Dale and Victoria through the window, but was stunned to instead see a line of men with assault rifles drawn.

A Humvee and Jeep pulled up between the plane and the line of men, hiding the militants from her view. She glanced at Nigel, who had closed the distance between them. He’d been watching her take in her surroundings.

In a condescending tone he said, Mrs. Boudreaux, no harm would have been inflicted if we had had your cooperation. I truly didn’t mean it to be this way.

She didn’t respond. Instead she looked out the window again and watched as Dale and Victoria were blindfolded and placed in the back of a Jeep. The vehicles drove away. The militants stood down, placing their rifles over their shoulders or around their backs. Obviously, Lizzy wasn’t as big of a threat. With her husband and friend out of sight, Nigel could have her attention now.

Where are you taking them? Lizzy asked.

Somewhere they will not be harmed but where they will wait for our business to be completed.

What business do we have, exactly? I came here for one snake, and it seems I’ve ended up in a pit of them.

There will be plenty of time, but for now we must get you off this plane and get this mess cleaned up. He motioned to a man she hadn’t seen enter. The man had an open satchel in his hand, which he now placed in one of the adjacent seats. He withdrew a vial and syringe from the bag and turned toward her.

She gasped. What is that? What are you doing? Quickly, someone grabbed her and pushed her down into a seat. She wiggled, trying to get free, but the man’s strength was too much.

Calmly, Nigel replied, It’s just a sedative. Something to relax you.

No! she screamed as the man with the syringe moved closer. Someone else forced her elbow up, extending her arm. A makeshift tourniquet was tied above her elbow. She was too scared not to show it. The tears streamed down her cheeks as she looked at Nigel. Please don’t do this. I said I’d cooperate. Please!

Shh, shh, shh. You’re going to be okay. He spoke as if he were calming a child.

She continued trying to jerk free, but the grip around her arm kept it as still as if it were not even attached to her. The adrenaline coursing through her masked the prick of the needle as it penetrated the skin, but the swirl of blood in the clear liquid revealed he’d hit the vein. The tourniquet was untied. As the plunger pushed the offending liquid into her body, she could feel it. The warm sensation pulsated up her arm, followed by a tingle.

Why are you doing this? She tried to fight against the effects of the medicine that were coming fast and hard. What do you want?

Nigel was inches from her face. Or was he? Don’t worry, Mrs. Boudreaux, he said. We’re all going to get what we want soon. Your accountant will be waiting after you sleep this off.

The slightest movement left a trail of particles in its wake, as if people and objects were disintegrating right before her eyes. She fought to keep her eyes open.

As Lizzy fell down the tunnel, she heard an echoing voice. You you rest rest now now, Mrs. Mrs. Boudreaux Boudreaux. She opened her eyes wide. It was the man who’d given her the medicine. His face was the size of a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon, distorted and horrifying, shape-shifting into a blurry mess.

She’d waited months to be here, but in this moment she would have given anything to turn back the hands of time. She was losing the battle as her eyelids became too heavy; she was under the control of the vile liquid slithering through her body. Her head swayed, its weight too much for her to hold up. The heart beating in her chest reverberated in her ears. Her head fell back, and the vortex spun out of control, with the light decreasing to a pinpoint—then total darkness and silence.

CHAPTER 1

F ive months earlier, the caller ID revealed a number Lizzy had grown very familiar with: the personal cell of the mayor of the city of Montgomery.

Well, good morning, Mr. Mayor, Lizzy said.

Good morning to you, Lizzy. He chuckled. You and the troops are going to need a vacation once we’ve successfully pulled off the mission.

The mayor, a retired colonel, had drafted her and her staff as his platoon when he began planning a surprise party for his thirtieth wedding anniversary. He and his wife, Isabella, had used Lizzy’s restaurant, the Silver Spoon, as a backdrop for various events. This was going to be the most important event yet for the both of them. He was inviting some big-name government and military officials. If it went off without a hitch, this was certain to be a huge marketing and revenue boost for Lizzy. She could secure contracts to cater some of the guests’ events.

Lizzy pulled open the top drawer of her desk and retrieved his file. She joked, Does that mean we’re invited on the second honeymoon? You know, most of us have never been to Bora Bora before. Placing the folder on the desk, she turned to the most recent page and prepared to make notes.

He replied, Sure. Why not? The more the merrier.

Seriously, what can I help you with this morning, Mr. Langford?

Well, he said, drawing out the word, I’ve been thinking about that ice sculpture with the shrimp from one of our earlier conversations. Do you remember?

Yes, sir. The open clamshell design with the shrimp inside for a self-serve station. She grimaced because they’d had that conversation several weeks prior when there was time to get it ordered.

I’ve changed my mind and believe we should have that, he said. You can make that happen, right?

This close to the event, it was hard to know for certain whether Joe, the sculptor, would be available, but when you’re given an order in the military, you do as you’re told, Lizzy figured. Confidently, she said, Sure! I think it will make a beautiful centerpiece, not to mention a conversational piece as your guests arrive. She tilted the receiver away from her mouth to let out a long sigh.

Ms. Lizzy, you’re such a good trooper. I half-expected you to tell me it wasn’t possible.

Part of her wished she had. This was going to be next to impossible to get done. She could hear Joe reprimanding her and then refusing. What was the backup plan going to be? Her and the staff with chainsaws and chisels? No, Joe was just going to have to do it.

The mayor continued, Like I’m always telling Isabella, winning life is like winning a battle—you’ve got to get the right man, or woman in this case, for the task. The rest will take care of itself. I’m glad I’ve got you, Liz.

Thank you, sir. I’m just thrilled you’ve allowed me to help you.

I know you’re a busy woman and won’t keep you any longer. Thank you for all you’re doing.

You’re welcome.

She returned the receiver to the cradle. For a moment she sat wondering whether there were any favors Joe owed her that she could cash in on. She came up with nothing but placed the call anyway.

His voice was raspy when he answered. Hello.

Hey, Joe. It’s Lizzy Boudreaux from Spoon. I’m sorry. Did I wake you? She checked her watch; it was almost nine thirty.

Yeah, but it’s okay.

She smiled, believing his sleepiness might work in her favor. Quickly, she told him of the event and what had just been asked of her. That’s not going to be a problem, is it?

Sure. When?

She avoided the question. There’s going to be some prominent people here from around the state. I know it’ll be great exposure for everyone.

When is it?

March 29, and I have the perfect place to showcase your work. She was confident he’d already signed on to the project.

Impossible. That’s the weekend of the gala in Birmingham. He paused. And also only three weeks away. We’ve worked together before, and you know I require at least six weeks’ notice. The rasp dissipated from his voice.

In a sappy, sweet tone, Lizzy said, Joe, this is really important.

I understand, but I’m already committed to being in Birmingham that weekend.

And I know how you like to stay with your sculptures, she continued, but I also know you have some extraordinary talent working with you. Couldn’t Loriann stay at the gala and you come to Spoon? Think about the mayor’s guest list—senators, congressmen, officers from Maxwell Air Force base, and of course, their beautiful wives.

No need to think about it. The biggest event of the year will be the governor’s daughter’s wedding in November. I’m going to be on hand for him at the gala in case his precious baby girl might be looking to add something extra special to her wedding.

As he continued to talk, Lizzy opened the bottom drawer of her desk and pulled out the card box that held the RSVPs.

I’ve heard it’s a winter-themed affair, he said, and what would be more perfect than an ice sculpture or two? The last thing I want to do is say no to you, but I have to this time. I’m sorry, Lizzy.

Unknowingly, he had offered her the greatest tool for negotiation. She’d found what she was looking for and laid it on top of the mayor’s file. Not so fast. You might want to reconsider.

Lizzy, if there was a way I could, I would.

Let me be sure I’m hearing you correctly. You’re telling me no because the governor is going to be in attendance at the gala, and you hope to convince him his daughter needs your finest art in ice at her wedding. Is that right?

Something like that.

Then stop chasing the wallet and come chase the decision makers.

He asked, What are you talking about?

The First Lady of Alabama and her daughter are attending the vow renewal. You may not know this, but Isabella Langford and the governor’s wife were sorority sisters in college and are good friends to this day. I’m looking at the RSVP card that has the governor’s name crossed out and his daughter’s in its place. So where exactly do you think your presence would be more beneficial to your agenda and subsequent bottom line? With him or with the ladies?

Damn woman, he said and then went silent on the other end of the line. Lizzy smiled because she knew he was weighing the situation. Finally, he said, What’s the mayor looking for? You know I’d want to do something to wow everyone, especially the governor’s daughter and wife.

Well, we discussed a simple opened clamshell, but if we can keep the cost down, I’ll let you give it some flair. She was under budget on the project but didn’t want to get carried away with the mayor’s money. The size of the clamshell she had in mind would run about $1,200. I need it to hold ten pounds of seafood at each load.

His tone had perked up some. I’ll do it for the price of the shell if you’ll let me ditch the clamshell and handle the rest.

She laughed. Joe, don’t come into my restaurant with a twelve-foot sculpture of King Neptune. It’s a vow renewal.

You think the trident would be too much? he joked.

Work around the clamshell idea. I guess I don’t need to worry about the table for it?

No, I’ll bring the setup. I’ve got to work fast to get this going, but how about I fax over a sketch for you in an hour or two?

That’ll be fine. We’ll be closed to the public that night. Servers will be in the foyer to greet guests with trays of wine and champagne, so I was thinking we’d place it right inside the first dining room since we’ll have the guests sit there after the ceremony for dinner. Guests are requested to begin arriving at four o’clock. The mayor’s bringing Mrs. Langford at five thirty.

Perfect. I’ll get the apprentices working on freezing some blocks and will be in touch. Without a good-bye he disconnected.

Lizzy’s office connected to the kitchen next to the back entrance. She could see all the work stations from the doorway. She scanned