Chapter 124
CLAIRE AND I sat down at the conference table and the process began.
Lawyers passed papers to Judge Sykes: the report from Child Protective Services giving a green light to the women from Taylor Creek; an annulment of Avis Richardson’s marriage to Jordan Ritter; and the revocation of Ritter’s parental rights in exchange for a couple of years off the twenty-year stretch he was facing for statutory rape and kidnapping.
There was also a revocation of Avis’s parental rights, and adoption papers naming Toni and Sandy, who were beaming from across the table, Tyler’s parents.
Avis signed the adoption papers without hesitation. Toni and Sandy signed the same papers with barely contained glee, and together they got up and hugged Avis. She was stiff at first, but her nose pinked up and she started to cry.
Photos were taken and Claire and I were asked to be in the group shot. People came up to us and thanked us for our part in this wonderful outcome.
Avis was one of them.
She said to me, “I’m sorry for lying to you, Sergeant Boxer. I know you’ve done a good thing for Tyler. It’s legal now.”
The baby was in Sandy Wilson’s arms and he laughed in the excitement. I reached out to him. He wrapped my finger in his little fist and gave me a good solid connection with his big brown eyes.
My heart swelled.
I was eager for this little boy to start his new life.
Back in the car, Claire texted Cindy and Yuki, saying the Women’s Murder Club was on for dinner tonight at Susie’s. She added, “Don’t be late!”
I said, “By the way, I won’t be drinking.”
Claire put the phone in her lap and turned her eyes on me, pursed her lips, and said, “It’s about time you told me, girlfriend.” She reached over and gave my arm a shake. “I can read it all over your face.”
We both cracked up.
Claire knew me that well. I didn’t even have to tell her the news that had irrevocably and fantastically changed my world.
Joe and I were having a baby.
A History of the Women’s Murder Club
2001
The first Women’s Murder Club novel, 1st to Die, is published. We are introduced to the series’ main character, Detective Lindsay Boxer of the San Francisco Police Department, and her three friends – Claire Washburn, a medical examiner, Jill Bernhardt, an Assistant District Attorney, and reporter Cindy Thomas – who come together to form the Women’s Murder Club.
2002
2nd Chance is published. Lindsay is left unsure whether to return to work after losing her partner in a shoot-out. But another horrifying case brings her back.
2003
1st to Die is made into a TV movie by US TV network NBC. The film stars Tracy Pollen as Lindsay Boxer, Pam Grier as Claire Washburn, Megan Gallagher as Jill Bernhardt and Carly Pope as Cindy Thomas.
2004
3rd Degree is published. The Women’s Murder Club is devastated by the brutal murder of Jill Bernhardt. The three remaining friends continue to work together, however, determined to bring Jill’s killers to justice.
2005
4th of July is published. Lindsay faces a court case brought against her for wrongful death. She befriends the young Japanese-American lawyer, Yuki Castellano, who helps represent her. Yuki joins the girls at their regular get-togethers at Suzie’s and becomes part of the Women’s Murder Club.
2006
The 5th Horseman is published. The friends face one of their toughest battles as a string of unexplainable deaths occur in a San Francisco hospital and the hospital launches a court case that grips the entire nation.