19
The following afternoon, when Steve Spencer's handyman had cleared the dust from the drive and paths at Maple Reach, the doors and windows had been thrown open and country music filled the air. It filled the rooms of the house where a few topless Roadhouse girls flitted about, waiting for male guests to arrive. It filled the grounds, where Chas and Chloe danced on the lawn as Steve poured champagne on the terrace.
The three friends raised their glasses to each other.
"Here's to the conviction of Greg Swales. Won't be a long time comin'!" Steve said with a triumphant grin. "How's it goin' with you guys?"
"There's nothing they can put on me," Chas told them. "All I was doing was carrying a bag for a lady. My lawyers got 'em to drop all charges against me. I am from today a free man."
