I had had this a long time ago,â Kathryn said, so quietly the others had to strain to hear what she was saying.
âBut then you wouldnât be sitting here with all of us,â Nikki said. âI like it. I mean, I really like it.â
Isabelle stared down at the badge she was holding. âI feel like Kathryn does. I wish I had had this back . . . But now is just as good a time as any to be awarded this. I, for one, am proud to accept it.â
âAs will Nellie,â Charles added. Not for the world would he ever admit that he was jealous to the bone that he had not been awarded one of the prestigious shields. He hoped the girls couldnât see how his eyes were burning.
Lizzie got up and walked around the table. She bent down to kiss Charles on the cheek. âI bet right this moment you are thinking that you donât count, Sir Charles,â she said, drawing one last shield from her pocket. She held it out to him like it was the Holy Grail.
Charles blinked.
âThe president said to tell you that she is very aware of your . . . ah . . . involvement and wants you to have this as a special show of her appreciation. She is also very aware of your special relationships across the pond, as well as your knighthood. So, will you accept this shield, Sir Charles?â
âI will.â Charlesâs smile rivaled the sun, the moon, and the stars.
âWe should have a toast!â Annie said. âCharles, do we have any champagne?â
âOf course. Iâll get it.â
âGinger ale for me. Iâm driving.â The others agreed with Kathryn.
âGinger ale it is, ladies.â
âI think this calls for my grandmotherâs special crystal,â Myra said, getting up to head for the china closet where she kept her heirloom crystal.
Isabelle said, âI have a question, Lizzie. What happened to the previous owners of these shields?â
The girls stopped chattering, their faces startled at Isabelleâs question.
âPrevious administration. President Connorâs predecessor retired them when he left office. I was told by the president that her predecessor handed them over to Director Yantzy at the FBI for safekeeping. At her request, he turned them back over to her right after she returned from her visit to Las Vegas.â
The Sisters nodded, satisfied with Lizzieâs explanation. The chatter resumed as Myra and Annie set out the glasses and waited for Charles to bring in the champagne and some ice and ginger ale.
Lizzie watched Maggie out of the corner of her eye as she let her fingers caress the shield she was holding. She thought her dear friend looked . . . defeated.
Maggie looked up at Lizzie and correctly interpreted what she was seeing in Lizzieâs eyes. âNo harm, no foul. Good thing I didnât take it to the next level. Relax, Lizzie. My guy is just a . . . memory.â
âIâm sorry, Maggie.â
âDonât be. Iâm okay with it.â
âYou sure?â
Maggie looked her in the eye and said, âIâm sure, Lizzie. I would never in any way compromise all of you. Weâre family.â She turned away so Lizzie and the others couldnât see the tears in her eyes.
Ice tinkled in the exquisite crystal. Charles poured the ginger ale. âIt bubbles, almost like the real thing,â he said happily.
The Sisters raised their glasses and, as usual, waited for Myra to make the toast.
Myra looked around the table from one to the other, a smile on her face. âLetâs toast the unknown until such time as we want to make the unknown known.â
âVery well put, old girl,â Charles said.
âNow what?â Alexis asked.
âNow we wait until our names are called. Itâs rather reminiscent of being back in grade school. I think I like the feeling.â Annie chortled. âIt will give us all time to let our imaginations go to work.â
The good-byes were long and
S. Ravynheart, S.A. Archer
Stephen G. Michaud, Roy Hazelwood