Crown Jewel Read Online Free Page B

lawyer.”
    â€œTell him this isn’t a good time. He should be talking to Roxy, not me. Is he some kind of ghoul? Go on, tell him. I want this one last minute with my brother for myself.” Ted trotted off.
    Ricky felt the lump in his throat grow larger as he placed his rose on the casket next to Ted’s. He placed his hands, palms flat, on the shiny surface. “I did…do love you, Philly. Maybe I should have said it more often. Hell, maybe I never said it at all. If I didn’t tell you, I’m sorry. What’s making this all bearable for me is knowing you’re gonna be with Mom and Dad. I’m going to miss you, Philly. I wish I could tell you I’ll look after Roxy for you, but we both know that isn’t going to happen.
    â€œWherever you are, I know you’re going to be looking out for me. I know it as sure as I’m standing here. You know how you always used to say, ‘This is where the rubber meets the road?’ This is it for me. I’ll come back, and we’ll talk again.”
    Ricky felt rather than saw the stuntman’s presence. “He says your brother wanted his will read right after his death. He reserved a conference room at the hotel where your brother was staying. Roxy and her daughter will be there. You have to go, Ricky,” Ted said.
    â€œYes, I guess I do. Are there a lot of reporters outside the gates?”
    â€œSix deep.”
    Ricky sighed. “All right, let’s go.”
    He walked away, head high, shoulders squared. And he didn’t look back.

2
    Something should have changed in the four days since he’d come to see Roxy the morning Philly had died, Ricky thought as he made his way to the main entrance of the hotel. The shrubs looked the same, the gardeners were still scurrying about, the flowers were just as brilliant, the sun just as golden.
    There was no reason on earth that he needed to be present to hear Philly snub him in death the way he had in life. Did he really need to hear how much money he was leaving Roxy? No, he did not. Nor did he need to know about Philly’s other private holdings and investments. He should have simply declined the invitation to attend. The lawyer, Philly’s old friend and confidant, could just as easily have sent him a letter.
    His father had once said that a dying person’s wishes should always be honored. If this was the last thing he could do for Philly, he’d grit his porcelain caps and do it.
    The conference room was small, almost stark, which surprised Ricky. A shiny oval table, with a centerpiece of brilliant orange and gold spider mums nestled among feathery greenery, stood in the center. A silver service with coffee cups sat on a sideboard next to a telephone console, fax machine, and copier. In the corner on a small table was a seventeen-inch television set, along with a VCR. He smelled the coffee, so it must be fresh. He helped himself. He needed all the caffeine he could get.
    Ricky carried his cup to the table and set it down. He looked around to see if there was a NO SMOKING sign but didn’t see one. It was probably understood that you couldn’t smoke. Like he cared. He smoked two cigarettes a day, one with his first cup of coffee and one after dinner. On the occasions when he had sex, he smoked three. Philly had chain-smoked, a three-pack-a-day man. His only vice, according to Philly. In all other areas of his life, he was perfect. According to Philly.
    Ricky looked down at his watch. Time is money. Philly would be really pissed that the lawyer hadn’t arrived yet. Everyone knew lawyers were all about billable hours. He continued drinking his coffee and smoking his cigarette. A perfect smoke ring sailed upward. Ricky tilted his head until he was sitting directly underneath it. His own personal halo. He smiled to himself, wondering if Philly was watching. Probably, since Philly never missed a trick.
    The door opened just as Ricky was about to