Free Kiss and Tell by Fern Michaels

lips, her eyes sparkling.
    Charles sighed. Someday he was going to win, but he was smart enough to know that this was not the day. “Leg of lamb, mint jelly, Irish potatoes, my special lettuce bacon hot salad, yeast rolls, and chocolate thunder four-layer cake.”
    â€œI think that will work, don’t you, Annie?” Myra said over the rim of her cup.
    â€œIt’s better than weenies, that’s for sure,” Annie replied, giggling.
    Suddenly the dogs slammed up against the kitchen door. Myra got up and opened it as the dogs, covered in snow, raced into the kitchen. They shook themselves all at the same time. The three humans ran to the laundry room for towels and mops as the dogs slipped and slid over the tile floor, barking and, as Charles said, having a hell of a time.
    â€œMy house is so quiet compared to this place,” Annie said as she tried her best to dry off one of the pups, who clearly did not want to be dried off. One sharp bark from Lady was all it took for the pup to back up and submit to Annie’s vigorous towel rub.
    â€œScoot, now,” Myra said to the rambunctious dogs. “Go by the fire and warm up.”
    Charles checked on the progress of dinner, then poured himself some hot chocolate and topped off Myra’s and Annie’s cups. “Now, talk to me.”
    The two best friends talked. Nonstop for a full thirty minutes until Charles held up his hands, and asked, “Why didn’t they just go to the SEC and file a complaint?”
    â€œWe asked ourselves that, too, Charles. Unbreakable ties to an old childhood friend. Guilt, we think, was the primary reason. They want him caught, but they don’t want to be physically a part of it. Contacting us was their way out. They were just children when they knew Billy. We are all—meaning Maggie and the boys—having trouble believing that all these years they didn’t know that Billy Bailey was Manny Macklin. I’m not calling them liars, but I am having a hard time with that part of it.”
    â€œThey explained it away, though,” Annie said.
    â€œIt is entirely possible,” Charles said, agreeing with Annie. Myra just frowned as she fussed with the pearls around her neck.
    â€œWhat’s the game plan?” Charles asked, when the women went silent.
    â€œTo get as much information as possible on Emanuel Macklin. Maggie called Abner, and he’s already on the financial end of it. I’d like to get some information on his first wife and what happened to her, but Annie and I can do that. Can you do Billy or Manny whatever he’s called these days, this afternoon, Charles?” Charles nodded as he got up from the table.
    â€œMacklin is on his third trophy wife. That means he has tripped down the aisle four separate times. All we really know is that he has a son and a daughter—by the first wife, I think. No one told me that, I just remember reading it somewhere. Both work for their father,” Annie said. “Myra and I can see what we can come up with in regard to the four wives. And the kids, while you do what you have to do. Is dinner good, or do we need to watch and stir or anything?”
    Charles clapped at his forehead. “God forbid. Do NOT touch a thing while I’m down in the War Room. Is that understood? Dinner will take care of itself.”
    â€œIn that case, Annie and I shall retire to the family room and work by ourselves as we watch over the dogs, which is more to our liking anyway. Sometimes, Charles, you are just too cruel,” Myra said, winking at Annie, who grinned from ear to ear.
    â€œAnd you both are so full of it, your eyes are turning brown. I will be back up here at five thirty, so do not get into any trouble. Unless, of course, you two want to go out and clear the driveway with the snowblower.”
    â€œI-don’t-think-so!” Annie said, marching into the family room. The dogs cracked open their eyes and went right back