But were going to find out.
Roxie clicked her cell phone shut and took a step toward the sidewalk, pulling Lilith along with her. Ive had enough for one night. Ill see you all at the park in the morning, she said.
Do you think Josie will show? Ginger asked.
Bea looked up toward the now empty balcony and nodded emphatically. Oh, yeah. Shell show. Shell want us to think everything is status quo, which ought to be more fun than a barrel of monkeys.
CHAPTER 10
The gardener looked shocked to see his employer standing in the doorway, which was understandable. If Bennetts memory served him correctly, and it usually did, the last time he had spoken to Esteban Jaramillo in person was in 1998, when the Newport Garden Club wanted to include the Cummings estate on the annual garden tour. The topic at that meeting had been pruning and mulching, as Bennett recalled. Thats not what he was here for today, however.
Estebans dark eyes went huge. He removed his baseball cap and wiped his forehead. Good morning, Mr. Cummings, he said, moving away from a workbench and taking a few tentative steps toward the doorway.
Bennett extended his hand to his employee and tried to smile casually.
Is there something wrong with the grounds, Mr. Cummings? Esteban swiped his palm on his dirty jeans before he accepted his bosss outstretched hand.
Bennett sensed how nervous hed made the man and felt guilty. No, no.
Nothings wrong, Esteban. Everythings wonderful. He glanced around the meticulously organized building euphemistically called the potting shed.
In reality, the two-story structure was twice the size of a typical family home and featured a green house, two studio apartments, and a six-bay garage that held everything from backhoes and dump trucks to riding mowers, tillers, and stump grinders.
I… Esteban swallowed hard. We… Carmelita and me… we were so sorry to hear about Miss Margot.
Bennett straightened and nodded. He rarely pondered what his house staff thought of him and his family, but hed always assumed they observed them with disdain and fear in equal measure. The rich were always a puzzle to those who worked for them.
Thank you. Bennett cleared his throat. The truth was, he felt as awkward as Esteban. And your family? How is your family?
Oh! Estebans eyes lit up. Excellent, Mr. Cummings. Thank you. Rodrigo, our oldest, is in his second year at the Rhode Island School of Design.
Hes getting straight As.
How fabulous, Bennett said, not knowing who the hell Rodrigo was but feeling vaguely proud that his gardeners son had made it into the one of the countrys premier art schools. And his field of study?
Estebans eyes went wider. The man was obviously growing suspicious of the conversation, since Bennett had never given a rats ass about him, his wife, or his kids during the more than two decades hed been under his employ.
Computer animation, Esteban said, shifting his weight awkwardly, then shrugging. You knowcartoons.
Of course. Wonderful. Bennett cleared his throat again. Well, Esteban, do you have a moment? I have a proposition for you. It may sound rather strange, but I was hoping we could come to an agreement.
Estebans eyes narrowed. He shoved his ball cap into the front pocket of his jeans and motioned for Bennett to have a seat at the long wooden table in the main room of the shed. Bennett imagined this was where the crew ate their tortillas and whatnot for lunch.
His head groundskeeper took a seat across from him, and Bennett noticed that the change of venue had created a sense of equanimity between the two men, which amused him.
Esteban, I appreciate all your years of service.
The gardener fell back against the chair. Youre firing me.
No! No! Bennett laughed awkwardly. Of course not.
Esteban put his palms flat on the surface of the table, his face losing much of its earlier friendliness. What, then, can I do for you, Mr.
Cummings?
Bennett took a deep breath. In all his years of business he had never underestimated an adversary, and that approach had served him well. He had a feeling that this little arrangement with Esteban Jaramillo the gardener would require nothing less.
I want your car, Esteban.
For a second, the mans face was blank. Then it lit up with amusement and he laughed. The /Buick/?
Yes.
But He stopped laughing. I hadnt really thought about selling the Buick, Mr. Cummings. Me and Carmelita are still using it because we gave our Jeep to Rodrigo, you know, to take to school.
Bennett waved the details away. You wont be without transportation. He reached into the inner pocket of his sports jacket and pulled out the folded papers. This is the title to my 2009 Escalade. Its already in your name.
Estebans mouth turned to stone. He blinked. His shoulders went rigid. Why?
Bennett pushed the title toward his gardener. Im giving you the Escalade in appreciation of your fine work over the years.
Twenty-six years, Mr. Cummings, Esteban said.
Exactly.
And then what?
You put your Buick in Bay Number 6 and forget about it. You never even notice if its no longer there.
Esteban said nothing. He made no move toward the title. His eyes stayed focused on his employers face. The Escalade plus ten thousand dollars in cash, his groundskeeper said, his voice as flat as the tabletop. Trini, our daughter, is going to college next year. She got accepted to Prince ton. The money would come in handy.
Bennett had to laughit seemed everybody was a hustler at one level or another, even out here in his own potting shed. Ill have the cash to you in three hours. Now, Id like the keys to the Buick, if you please.
Esteban got up from the straight-backed chair and walked to the pegboard near the door. He snagged a key ring dangling from the top left hook, then came back and tossed it onto the table. You have to jiggle the shift when you put it in reverse, he said.
Bennett nodded.
AndIm not going to lie to you, Mr. Cummingsit needs a new alternator.
Doesnt matter.
Esteban looked down on his boss, smirking. The gardener picked up the paperwork, scanned it, then held out his palm. Bennett dug into his pants pocket for the Escalade keys. He handed over the gaudy platinum key fob, enjoying the huge smile that spread across Estebans face at the sight of it.
Two hours for the cash, right? Esteban asked.
Actually, I said three hours.
Make it two.
Bennett chuckled. A man named Milton will be here in two hours. Hes my attorney.
Will you already be gone?
Bennett stood, meeting his gardeners steady gaze. I am not feeling well, Esteban. The flu, I believe. Ill be recuperating for a couple of weeks and wont be seeing anyone. He turned and headed out the door.
Get well soon, then, Mr. Cummings. Esteban waited till he got a few yards away and added, And have a safe trip.
Oh, I guess I just fell asleep reading, Josie said aloud, pulling into the first parking spot she found near Dolores Park. No. She didnt like the way that excuse soundedtoo flippant.
Drinks were /last/ night? Oh, my God! I thought it was /next/ week we were getting together! No, she hated how snooty that one sounded, like she had so many obligations that she couldnt keep track. Besides, no one with an iPhone could get away with that, not when alarms were going off every fifteen minutes to remind you to call your mother, or stop off at the grocery after work, or to start your period every fourth Sunday.
Josie cleared her throat and gave this one a try: I am so sorry. I should have called you guys. I think I got food poisoning from a bad batch of eggplant.