Setting the Stage
***Willow Pond***
Jonathan and Jennifer were sitting at the table eating breakfast. Jonathan was expecting a phone call.
"Darling, we have 5 business dinners and dinner parties this week."
"Really?"
"Yes. The McLean's, the Spinner's, the Lowell's, the Prescott's, and the Bridges".
"Well, at least we won't have to do the dishes all week".
She kissed him. "Yep, that's right".
She took their plates to the sink, and Jonathan took his phone call in the den.
He came back and found her in the kitchen, finishing up the last of the dishes.
"Sorry darling, I have to go to the office. My afternoon meeting is now in an hour".
"Ok, I will see you tonight. We have the McLean's tonight."
She kissed him.
"I love you".
"Love you too, darling. See you tonight. I'll be home early".
"Great, I love it when you come home early".
He kissed her goodbye and headed to the office.
Max went to the grocery store, and Jennifer went shopping for an outfit to wear to the party.
***Los Angeles***
She found this really cute store where everything looked expensive but it wasn't. She bought a couple jewelry sets- earrings, bracelet, necklace, and pendant, and she also bought a couple evening gowns. One evening gown was a halter ruffle v-neck, and she looked amazing in it. The other gown was a spaghetti strap halter with a criss-cross back, in hot pink. She purchased these things and then left.
She hit another boutique a few shops down, and found another couple of jewelry sets, and a few more outfits, plus a couple of handbags.
She purchased these, and then headed home.
***Willow Pond***
She came in the house and took the packages upstairs. She took a long hot bubble bath, and tried to relax some before the party.
She was just getting out when Jonathan got home.
She decided on the black halter ruffle dress, and some strappy black sandals.
She got out her jewelry, and decided to wear the fakes that she had bought that day. Sort of a social experiment, to see if anyone can tell.
She slipped her engagement ring off, and the fake diamond ring on.
She put on the rest of the jewelry, and then found her shoes in the closet.
Jonathan was getting his tux on.
"Darling, can you do my bow tie?"
"Sure".
She tied his tie for him and then he hugged her.
"You look absolutely mesmerizing in that dress".
"Thanks, you're pretty hot yourself".
She kissed him, and then finished getting ready.
It only took her a few minutes to do her hair and makeup.
After she sprayed on some of his favorite perfume, she was ready.
She switched purses to a new one she bought that day, and then they headed out.
She was excited about spending the evening with Jonathan. She hoped there would be dancing.
***McLean's***
Jonathan and Jennifer walked in and got a cocktail. There had to be about 45-60 people there. Outside on the patio, there was a dance floor set up, and a band was playing. Inside, there was a buffet table with tons of food.
"Darling, is this a business dinner, or just a party?"
"It's a business dinner. Jake McLean is going to announce who he's partnering with tonight."
They were the only ones on the dance floor, but she didn't care.
"Do you think it's going to be you?"
"I hope so, but there are at least 3 other companies in the running".
They danced for several songs and drank their cocktails. Jennifer was drinking champagne.
"Have you been taking dance lessons behind my back?"
She shook her head no and barely suppressed a giggle.
"You are so cute when you get a little champagne in you".
They were hungry, so they headed inside and got in line to get a plate.
There was so much food to choose from-toasted ravioli, cracked crab, pasta salad, caprese salad skewers, grilled chicken skewers, couscous, you name it, it was there.
Jennifer got a double vodka martini, straight up with a twist no olives from the bartender and she and Jonathan found their table.
The announcements had started while they were still in line.
They had just sat down when someone else stood up.
"Hold it everybody! Nobody move! This is a robbery".
Two guys, with dark sunglasses and nice suits on had guns and pillowcases in their hands.
"Purses, wallets, and jewelry in the pillowcases. Do as we say and nobody gets hurt".
3 of the guests were also in on it, and they were keeping watch and making sure nobody moved.
Jake McLean called to his wife to call the cops.
"It's no use, Mr. McLean, we cut the phone lines when we got here. Now everyone, count to 450, before you move."
The robbers took off.
Jonathan turned to Jennifer.
"You ok? Did you put everything in the pillowcase?"
"Just my travel wallet with my driver's license, and the jewelry I had on tonight was fake."
She was whispering in his ear so the other ladies wouldn't know.
"Perfect timing to wear that".
"What about you?"
"I had my travel wallet, except it only had $400 in cash, and a gorgeous picture of you in it".
"A picture of me?"
"Yes, I always have a picture of you with me anywhere I go".
"How sweet". She kissed him.
Someone had ran to the neighbors house to call the police.
They could hear the sirens coming.
After about 3 hours of waiting for the police to take their statement, Jonathan and Jennifer were cleared to leave.
Jake and Olivia McLean came over to them as they were leaving.
"Jonathan, Jennifer, we are so sorry! Our homeowner's insurance company will be reimbursing everyone. We'll be in touch".
"Don't worry about it, it's not your fault."
"Jake, what was that announcement you were going to make?"
"I was going to announce that I am partnering with FieldCorp. I'm sorry, Jonathan. Your offer was tremendous and incredibly fair, but he made me an offer I just can't refuse".
"I understand. Business is business".
They shook hands and then headed out.
He helped her into the car, and then walked around to the other side.
As they drove off, Jennifer looked at him.
"In all the commotion, I forgot to eat".
"Me too. What do you say to picking something up and taking it home?"
"Darling, we have no money on us"
"Yes we do". He opened the glove compartment and there was his real wallet.
"Oh honey, what a great idea."
They headed through In-n-out burger's drive thru, and got a combo for each of them, plus one for Max and some fries for Freeway, and then headed home.
***Willow Pond***
They came inside and Jennifer immediately kicked her shoes off. They headed to the couch, and started eating.
"Max, we're home. We brought you something".
"Freeway, here boy".
Jonathan whistled for him, and they heard him come running. Max came toddling out behind him.
"We brought burgers and fries. Have some with us".
"Was the food at the dinner party that lousy?"
"We wouldn't know. We didn't get to eat it. As soon as we sat down to eat, there was a robbery, and in all the commotion, we didn't eat".
"Who would rob a dinner party? That's just crazy".
Jonathan was sitting against the end of the couch at an angle, and Jennifer leaned up against him. She picked up her fries and fed them to him.
"All I wanted to do tonight was dance with you, and instead, that was the least chaotic thing that happened".
"Well hopefully, the rest of the dinner parties won't be like this one."
After they finished eating, they headed upstairs.
Jennifer was in the bathroom taking her gown off.
"There's one thing I don't understand. You and I were the only people on the dance floor. Nobody else even came outside".
He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"That's because nobody can hold a candle to us when we dance, darling".
"Oh, Jonathan".
She turned and kissed him.
After they had their pajamas on, they climbed into bed.
Jonathan looked at her.
"Are you sure you're alright?"
She nodded.
"Yes, I'm fine".
He wrapped his arms around her.
"If anything ever happened to you…"
"I know. And if anything ever happened to you"
He didn't say a word, he just kissed her forehead and turned out the light.
***The next morning***
Jonathan and Jennifer woke up at the normal time. They got ready and headed downstairs to breakfast. Max had made them pancakes.
"Darling, what time is the dinner party tonight?"
"It's at 6, at the Lowell's. Do you want to wear a tux or a suit?"
"Suit, I guess".
"I will have it ready for you".
She kissed him.
"Lunch today, darling?"
"Sure, if I can. I'll call you".
He kissed her goodbye. "I love you, darling".
"Love you too".
Jennifer worked on her article a bit, and Jonathan called and told her they had reservations at 1 at the Bistro. It was a really cute farm-to-table restaurant.
"See you then".
She went upstairs and put on one of his favorite dresses, and retouched her makeup.
After she was done, she kissed Freeway goodbye and headed out.
***The Bistro***
Jennifer pulled up and parked, and then headed inside. Jonathan was already at the table.
"Hi darling".
He kissed her.
"Hello".
They sat down and ordered rather quickly.
"Darling, what is the point of tonight's business dinner?"
"Well tonight, Nathan Lowell and I are going to hammer out a deal over him selling me one of his hotel chains. And from he said, the wives have planned it so that while we are doing business in one room, they are going to be playing cards in another room. And it's winner take all, so I'll stop at the bank and get some cash out so you can play, darling".
He gave her a quick peck.
"Ok".
They ate a nice lunch, and he walked her to her car.
She wrapped her arms around his neck.
"What a great day-date, darling. We should do this more often".
He kissed her. "Oh, we will".
She got in the car and headed home.
***Willow Pond***
Jennifer came inside and went and took a bath, and started getting ready for the dinner party. After her bath was over, she was moisturizing and putting on some self-tanner.
She decided to wear the bright blue sparkly strapless gown, and a different pair of black strappy heels.
She got out his black suit for him, and the tie that he always wore with it, and had it lying on the bed.
She decided to do soft curls to her hair this time, and started with her makeup.
She was almost ready when Jonathan got home.
"Hi darling".
She leaned up and kissed him.
"Hi beautiful".
He kissed her again.
"Have a good day?"
"Lunch with you was the highlight".
"It sure was the highlight for me".
"But after I got back to the office, there was a rather confusing conversation that took place. Do you remember last night when we were leaving the McLean's, and Jake McLean said to me that he was going to go with FieldCorp? Well, today when I got back to the office, there was a message on my desk to call Andrew Parker, the owner of FieldCorp. So, I called him up, and he asked me if I was interested in taking FieldCorp off his hands. I told him I was intrigued but that I had heard Jake McLean was doing that for him."
"And?"
"He said they never talked about it. He said the last time he talked to Jake McLean was back in college."
"Well, that's strange".
"I'll say. Why tell me you are going to go with someone's offer if they haven't made you one? If you didn't like my offer, just say so. And if you are going with their offer, why tell me that you aren't? It's not like I am going to make a higher offer just to outbid someone who hasn't even bid in the first place".
"So, what did you do?"
"I told him to put the proposal together and I would think about it".
He saw her get out her jewelry again.
"Are you wearing the fakes again?"
"You damn straight I am. I'm not taking any chances".
She put on the fake earrings, the fake necklace, the fake bracelet and another fake engagement ring. She sprayed on the good perfume, and then went to switch purses while he finished getting ready.
She found a small wallet in her closet that she was fine with losing if they got robbed again. But this time, she was only putting the cash he was giving her for the tables in it.
"Darling, did you go by the bank?"
"Yes, it's on the nightstand."
He handed her an envelope with $20,000 in it.
She put some of that in her purse. And then she got an idea. She put on a thighlette with a money clip on the side. She put the money in the clip, and then put her lipstick and a small mirror and brush in her clutch.
She was downstairs and ready to go when he came down.
"Max, we are heading out. Be back later".
They got in the car and headed to the Lowell's.
***The Lowell's***
Jonathan and Jennifer came inside. The house was pretty full of people. Not as much as last night, but still a good crowd.
It was another buffet dinner with a dance floor.
Jonathan and Jennifer grabbed a cocktail and took it to the dance floor.
"Of all the many things I love about you, and all the wonderful things I get to do because you spoil me rotten, one of my favorites will always be dancing with you".
She kissed him.
"I love dancing with you too, darling".
He kissed the tip of her nose.
Everyone was watching them on the dance floor, because they looked like they were floating. It was beyond obvious they only had eyes for each other, and they were so happily and madly in love.
They danced a few songs, and finished their cocktails.
"Darling, maybe we should be earlier to the food table tonight?"
"Good plan". They set their glasses down and headed for the food line.
After making themselves a plate, they sat and ate together and had another cocktail.
Pretty soon, the Lowell's were at the microphone.
"Thanks everyone for coming to our dinner party. We are going to do things a little unconventionally. While the men are in here discussing business, the women are going to be out on the patio having a casino night. Winner takes all. So, ladies, if you will".
Jennifer kissed Jonathan and then joined the other ladies on the patio.
Jonathan and the men sat down and started discussing business while the women started playing high stakes poker and roulette.
Jennifer won 6 hands of poker in a row, and turned her $20k into $64k.
The champagne was flowing, and the women were loud and boisterous, and the men were loving it.
Jennifer stepped into the outside bathroom, and took most of her winnings and stuffed it into her bra, just in case. She put $1000 in the clip in her thighlette.
Everyone took a break from the games to get more food.
The men were still discussing business.
All the women came in the room and joined their husbands.
"Darling, do you want something else to eat?"
"Yeah, a steak skewer and some ravioli".
"Ok".
He whispered to her. "How did you do?"
She leaned close to him. "Tripled the money".
"Good girl."
She gave him a peck, and then headed to the buffet line.
After she got both of them a plate, she came and sat by him again. He had ordered her some more champagne.
"How's the business deal going?"
"Great. We are just about to start the bidding for his hotel chain, and I am hoping I get it".
"Good luck, darling. I am going to rejoin the ladies."
They had almost made it to the door when some of the businessmen stood up.
"Hold it. Nobody's going anywhere. This is a robbery. Don't bother calling the police-we cut the phone lines and disconnected the alarm. Ladies, please, come back and join us. Come on.."
The women turned around and went back to the table.
"Now, we are going to play a game called pass the pillowcase. Wallets, jewelry, watches, purses, it all goes in the pillowcase".
They started passing the pillowcases, and filling them up.
Jonathan reached down and squeezed her leg.
She whispered to him. "Don't worry".
She adjusted herself in her seat, and the split in her dress moved, revealing the cash clip. The gunman saw it.
"Put that in there too, legs, and make it a nice show".
"I beg your pardon". Jennifer looked at him incredulously.
She grabbed the cash clip, and tossed it into the pillowcase.
She took off her fake jewelry and tossed that in too, and Jonathan tossed in his fake wallet, and they passed the pillowcase.
She grabbed his arm, and felt his watch through the sleeve, and squeezed his hand. She had given him that watch when they got married.
As soon as they had hit every table, they told everyone to count to 450 and not to move till they were finished.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief after they left.
Jonathan ran after them, and tried to get a license plate number, but it was no use, they had already pulled away.
He ran to the car and called the police.
"Police are on their way".
Everyone started listing what they had lost, and some of the women got another cocktail.
Jennifer had an idea.
"Hey everyone, who was at the McLean's party last night?"
Several couples raised their hands.
"Do any of you recognize the men who robbed us tonight as being at the party last night?"
They shook their heads.
Jonathan stood up.
"What waiting staff did you use tonight?"
"Premier Catering. They provided the wait staff".
"Are they all accounted for?"
Stacie Lowell went to check.
Jonathan looked at Ben Lowell.
"Who was on the guest list? Just businessmen, or employees too?"
"Businessmen, people from our club, and friends, of course".
"Were you going to make a deal with Fieldcorp tonight?"
"If they made me one. But they didn't show up".
"This isn't making sense. Somehow, there was a robbery at the dinner party last night, and another one tonight. There has to be a link somewhere".
Stacie came back. "Yes, everyone is here".
Jennifer went outside to the car, and called Olivia McLean. A few minutes later, she came back in.
"She used Premier Catering as well".
"Ladies, come over here".
The ladies all gathered around Jennifer.
"We have 3 more dinner parties this week. The Spinner's, the Prescott's and the Bridges. Are any of you going to those?"
Everyone nodded.
Allyson Spinner spoke up. "Well, the Spinner's might be canceling. I am not sure I want to have a party if we are going to get robbed. We hired Premier Catering also".
"Allyson, don't cancel. What if you have the party at our house? We have cameras, we have the advanced security system, and we will be able to trap them and keep them from getting away".
"Darling, that's a great idea. But when they can't get out of the gate, what then? They aren't just going to give up".
"Good point".
Jonathan looked at Allyson. "What if you still have the party, but we all pitch in and hire security, in plain clothes to sit outside. I can wear a wire, and they will know they are coming and they can be waiting for them at the door when they escape".
Jennifer put a reassuring hand on Allyson's arm.
"We will be right there with you".
Allyson nodded.
"Ok, Jennifer will help you set up the details tomorrow. I will take care of the security and the other businesses can pay me back. Jennifer and I will be at your house by 5, so that I can be wired up".
The police took everyone's statements and they were allowed to leave.
"Oh and ladies, if you have any fake jewelry, you might want to wear it tomorrow night".
They all nodded.
Stacie and Jack Lowell were apologizing to everyone and promising them they would be reimbursed by their homeowner's insurance. The wait staff had packed up to-go boxes for everyone and they were handing them out at the door.
"Great, thanks". Jennifer took 3 boxes.
"We think we figured out the link. Are you going to be at the Spinner's tomorrow night?"
Stacie nodded.
"Great. See you then".
Jonathan and Jennifer headed to the car.
He helped her in, and closed the door behind her.
He went and got in on the other side.
"What a night".
***Willow Pond***
They came inside and Jennifer kicked off her shoes. They headed to the kitchen and heated up the leftover boxes. Steak skewers, shrimp skewers, toasted ravioli, meatballs on a stick, with little sides of marinara sauce, salad cups, cheese quesadillas, and fruit skewers. They had enough food to feed the army.
Max was sleeping, so they didn't wake him. They just put his box in the fridge.
Jennifer made them plates, and Jonathan poured them some champagne. They took turns feeding each other, and snacking.
"Darling, I forgot to show you this. When I won the jackpot, I didn't want to lose it all if we got robbed again. So, I stepped into the outdoor bathroom, and put most of it in my bra." She started pulling it out.
"But darling, I saw you give an envelope to the person with the pillowcase".
"Yes, I put $1000 in that envelope, and the rest in my bra. I didn't want one of the other women to tell them I had won big, and then we lose all of it. And if they knew I had won big but they saw that I didn't put it in there, that wouldn't be good. So, I just stepped into the bathroom outside, and put some in my bra".
"Good girl. That's why I married you, because you can think on your feet".
He kissed her.
"Is that the only reason you married me?"
"No. But it made the list".
She fed him a meatball.
They drank some more champagne, and then cleaned up the kitchen and headed to bed. Jonathan poured them each another glass and they brought it with them.
She was in the bathroom taking her gown off, and getting her nightgown on when Freeway came running in the room.
"Hi sweet boy, did you miss us?"
She petted him a few times, and then got undressed. Jonathan was in the closet putting the money she had won in the vault.
"You know darling, I could live without being robbed, of course, but it was worth it because I got to dance with you".
"I agree."
She was giggly from the champagne.
"I was watching you, you know. Through the window, while you were doing the business deal. You had that sexy look on your face, and you looked so serious".
She wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I was watching you too, darling. While you were playing poker. You were the prettiest one out there".
"Aww, you are so sweet".
She climbed into bed, and snuggled up to him and he handed her the champagne glass.
"To my beautiful, confident, sexy wife. I am the luckiest guy in town".
"To my smart, sexy, handsome husband, who made me the luckiest girl in town". They clinked glasses, kissed and then took a few sips.
"If I keep eating and drinking like this, I won't be able to fit into my gowns for the dinner parties".
"You are beautiful, always".
He kissed her.
She finished her champagne, and put the glass on the nightstand.
She unbuttoned his pajama top, and kissed his chest.
He reached up and turned out the light. They made love and then fell asleep.
***The next morning***
Jennifer woke up at 7 when the alarm went off.
She had a major headache. Too much champagne.
Jonathan was stirring next to her.
"Darling…can you buzz Max and ask him to make me a bloody Mary with the secret ingredient?"
She put her head on his chest.
"Sure, darling". He buzzed Max, and asked him to make them both a Bloody Mary with the secret ingredient.
"What's the secret ingredient?"
"Crushed aspirin, Max".
"Sure thing. I'll bring it right up"
"With some toast, please?"
"You got it, Mrs. H."
They laid back down and tried to be really still. Max brought their bloody Mary's and toast up to them, and they sat up.
As they munched on toast, and sipped their Bloody Mary's, they started thinking about the dinner party that night.
"Darling, why don't you go to the Spinner's this morning and see if you can help her?"
"Great idea".
"Get the guest list, and call me when you do, and I will make some phone calls to the businessmen on the list and we will chip in for security. I am going to call Lt. Grey and have him wire me to the security van, and they can listen to us while we are being robbed. And you can also be there when the caterers get there so you can get a good look at the wait staff".
"Great idea".
She snuggled up to him and put her arm across his chest.
"What are you wearing tonight?"
"Gray suit. You?"
"I am thinking my hot pink beaded gown, and black shoes. The problem is, I am running out of handbags. They keep getting stolen".
"Well, if you take your clothes and everything you need to get ready at the Spinner's, you can put your stuff in the car before the party, and you won't have a purse to lose".
"True. I am going to do just that".
She laid on top of his chest and looked at him.
"I hope we get to dance tonight, darling".
"We will, don't worry".
They got up and got showers, then, and he headed for the office.
She called the Spinners shortly before 9.
"Hi, Allyson. Listen, Jonathan wants me to come help you with the party stuff today, so I was wondering-do you mind if I just bring my stuff and get ready for the party at your house? Perfect. See you in a little bit".
Jennifer packed her overnight bag with makeup, her curling iron, her brush, her perfume, a thighlette and strapless bra and her black shoes. She put her dress in a garment bag, and she put some fake jewelry in her overnight bag. She went and loaded everything into the car. She came back in to get her purse and the phone rang.
She picked it up.
"Hello?"
It was Lauren Prescott. She was canceling her dinner party for the next night.
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. I was looking forward to it. Well, we will have to get together soon. Ok, bye".
She put the phone in the cradle, and turned towards the door. It rang again.
It was Meredith Bridges.
"Hi Meredith, how are you?"
"I'm fine. I am just calling to tell you that in light of the last two dinner parties, we have decided to cancel ours."
"Oh what a shame, I was looking forward to it. Well, we will have to get together soon, after all this dies down. Ok, bye".
She hung the phone up and headed for the car.
***In the car***
She grabbed her car phone as soon as she got in, and called Jonathan.
He was in a meeting, but his secretary buzzed her through.
"Hi darling, are you ok?"
"Yeah I'm fine. I just got two phone calls, one from the Prescott's and one from the Bridges. They both canceled their dinner parties".
"That's not surprising. Maybe after tonight, if we can get to the bottom of things, they will reschedule them".
"Maybe. Ok, have a great day, I love you. I will call you with the guest list".
"Love you too, darling".
They hung up. She pulled up at the Spinner's about 10 minutes later.