. . . And most of them lived happily ever after

Five years later . . .

From the Associated Press
TODOS SANTOS, Mexico -- The mangled body of suspected Marenco Cartel drug lord Vincent Palmieri -- who appeared to have been shot twice and also attacked by sharks -- washed ashore early Tuesday morning and was discovered by fishermen line-casting from the beach.

Palmieri had been at large for three years after skipping bail in Los Angeles, where he was awaiting trial in the infamous "Birds of Paradise" case involving former U.S. congressman Antonio Falco, Malibu TV producer Charlie Bonner and a host of Las Vegas showgirls working as prostitutes.

Palmieri was believed to have been romantically involved with Genie Bonner, wife of the TV producer and a co-defendant. The two fled L.A. at the same time and were seen boarding a yacht together last week in Cabo San Lucas. Authorities said there was no sign of the yacht or of Genie Bonner.

*******

Little Chapel of the Flowers, Las Vegas

"Do you, Hermann Hauser, take Evelyn Falco to be your lawfully wedded wife, so long as you both shall live?"

"I do," said Hauser, squeezing his bride's thorn-scarred hand. "I wish I'd met her before that gasbag congressman got his hands on her."

"He doesn't exist, Hermie. You're my first real man."

"Excuse me," the minister interrupted, "but may we proceed?"

"Watch it, Rev," Hauser told him. "You're looking at USMC and FBI, retired."

*******

In the office of Falco & Greene, Century City

"The question is this: Is the mayor guilty of a crime or just lazy about who drops money into his lap?" ex-judge Laurence M. Greene asked.