Abby was unable to hide how disturbed she was by Isabel’s confession.
Isabel glanced at Abby with an almost sympathetic look on her face. “You have to believe me. If there was another way to get rid of him, I would have taken it. But now that he had tenure, I couldn’t exactly fire him. You know how obstinate he could be.”
Isabel’s eyes fell to the letter that was still in Connie’s hand. “Of course, without that letter, you can’t prove anything.”
Isabel lunged at Connie, who side-stepped, then pushed her to the floor. She wished she had done more martial arts training lately than just hitting the heavy bag, but at least her sparring instincts were still intact.
It turned out to be just enough.
Before Isabel could get up, Connie passed the letter to Abby, who shoved it into her pocket and bolted toward the nearest stairwell. Connie ran out of the suite, slamming the door behind her, and took off behind Abby.
But she only had a few seconds’ head start on Isabel. Connie looked around for anyone she could call to for help, but the academic building was nearly deserted that time of year.
The three women raced down the six flights of stairs and then down the cement stairs leading out of Alumni Hall.
“To the parking lot,” Connie yelled, pointing to where Abby had left her car. However, being the Department Chair, Isabel had a prime spot reserved just for her right in front of the building. She was in her car and following Connie and Abby before they could reach the parking lot, which was still about fifty yards away.
“This way,” Abby yelled, leading Connie through a wooded area that appeared to be a shortcut.
Connie ran as fast as she could, her legs burning every step of the way after descending the stairs at break-neck speed. She managed to stay a short distance behind Abby. The two women came out of the woods and into the dark parking lot right near Abby’s car, but Isabel had been waiting for them in the parking lot and was driving straight towards them. Connie wondered what she would do when she caught them. Would she run them over? Surely she couldn’t get away with that. Someone would be bound to notice.
Connie and Abby managed to get into the car just as Isabel pulled up beside them. Rather than exiting her car or hitting Abby’s car with her own, Isabel rolled down her window and pleaded with Abby.
“Abby, I could have turned you in for plagiarism, but I didn’t, because I believed you deserved a second chance. We all make mistakes. I’m asking you to give me a second chance, as well. Just wait until the morning before you turn that letter over to the police, so I can get to Cabo.”
Then Isabel turned to Connie. “He was blackmailing me. He insulted my books, but he had no problem taking the profits that they earned. The hypocrite deserved what he got.”
Connie cringed as she thought of her pliers being thrust into Allister. Nobody deserved that.
Isabel’s eyes settled on Abby. She seemed to be waiting for a response to her plea. Finally, Abby nodded, apparently agreeing to give Isabel the time she needed to escape, and Isabel peeled out into the dark night.
Connie leaned back in the passenger seat of Abby’s Toyota and released a deep sigh.
Turning to Abby, she said, “You know we have to go straight to the police, don’t you? You don’t owe Isabel anything. She killed a man.”
Abby nodded. “I know. I just wanted her to leave.”
A tear rolled down Abby’s cheek.
It was never easy watch a mentor fall from her pedestal. And Connie and Abby had just witnessed a monumental plummet.
While they were on their way to the police station, Connie called Josh on his cell, since it was late and she knew it was unlikely he’d still be working. He told her he’d meet them at the station and arranged to have some dispatch officers track Isabel down to bring her in for questioning. Within twenty minutes, Connie and Abby had arrived at the Sapphire Beach Police Station with Allister’s blackmail letter in hand.
“Tough day at the office, huh?” Connie said jokingly to Abby as they waited in the police station waiting room to give their statements.
“I had no idea what being a student worker would entail when I applied for the job.”
Chapter 22
Connie and Abby were at the police station until late Wednesday night, and by the time they finished giving their statements, Isabel was already in custody. Fortunately, the police were able to catch up with her on Route 75 at the Southwest Florida International Airport exit before she was able to make her getaway to Cabo.
First thing Thursday morning, Josh came by Just Jewelry to check on Connie, who was anxious to receive an update on the case.
It turned out that once they had Isabel in custody, things went a lot smoother than Connie expected they would. Knowing that the police had the copy of Allister’s blackmail letter and the statements from Connie and Abby, and with some skillful interrogating on the parts of Josh and Zach, Isabel confessed to everything.
The nightmare ended just as quickly as it began.
With the killer finally behind bars, Connie decided to spend the morning making one last-ditch effort to assemble her remaining students that evening for part two of her jewelry-making class. Since many of them, including Connie, had had a grueling two weeks, she thought that finishing their projects might help everyone to move forward. So she spent the morning personally calling each student and encouraging them to return.
Connie couldn’t have been more thrilled when everyone agreed to come back. Jerry was eager to finish the necklace for his wife, and the others decided that they would pay tribute to Allister by completing the class they began together.
Connie would have six of her original eight students returning that evening.
Creating jewelry had helped Connie through some difficult moments in her life, and she was delighted that, as a teacher, she had the opportunity pass on a craft that might aid others in doing the same. At the very least, it would be a blessing to have everyone together again. The group may only have gathered once, but they had been through a lot together.
Students were due to arrive at 7:00, and although it wasn’t a scheduled shift for Grace, she insisted on attending to lend her moral support. Connie didn’t object.
By 6:15, everything was set up and ready to go, which left Connie just enough time to heat up some leftovers for dinner and relax on her sofa before class.
In addition to the murder being solved, Connie was also on cloud nine, because her sister had texted her that morning to announce that the family would be spending Christmas in Sapphire Beach.
It seemed that the day couldn’t get any better.
Connie had just finished her turkey tips and mashed potatoes when, through the front window, she saw Zach pull up in his gray Jeep and park in front of her store. He smiled broadly when he spotted Connie hanging out in the seating area.
Zach sat on an armchair facing Connie.
“You’ll never guess where I just came from.” Zach’s easy smile told her that a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. She was pleased to see that he seemed like his old self again.
Before Connie could answer, he said, “I was just with Elyse looking at condos.”
“In Sapphire Beach?” she asked, hopefully. “Does this mean you’re staying?”
He nodded, another smile lighting up his face. “Yes, I decided to stay. After a lot of soul searching, I realized that, although I do miss my family, my life is here. I love my job, and I have some solid friends. Not to mention that I’m happier and healthier in this sunny climate.”
Connie was elated at hearing the news. “You went from not knowing if you wanted to stay to committing to Sapphire Beach with a major purchase? Why such a dramatic change of heart?”
“Well, now that I know that Sapphire Beach is home, I don’t see any reason not to fully commit. I decided to move out of my apartment and to purchase something larger. Not only will my family be able to visit without staying in a hotel, but I think it will help me to feel lik
e I have roots here. The condo I toured today isn’t right for me, but I’m excited to have gotten the process started.”
Connie had never been to Zach’s apartment, but he once referred to it as a shoebox. He rented it when he first took the job in Sapphire Beach, with the intention of saving up to eventually buy something bigger if he remained in the area.
“Has Elyse taken you to Palm Paradise?” she said, half joking.
Zach chuckled. “Palm Paradise is a little out of the price range of a police detective.”
Connie laughed. “It’s out of my price range, too. I’m just blessed to have had a generous aunt.”
Zach stood to leave. “I’ll let you get ready for your class. I just wanted to tell you my good news.”
“So, I guess I’ll be seeing you soon,” she said as she walked him to the door.
He squeezed her forearm. “You can count on it.” Then he added, “Thank you for your patience with me. I was really torn up about what to do, but I could have handled the whole thing better. I should have told you from the beginning what was going on.”
Connie gave him an understanding smile. “I know what an agonizing decision it can be to relocate so far from family. Especially when nieces and nephews are in the picture.”
“I’m going to take a couple of weeks’ vacation next month to visit my family, but perhaps when I get back, we can have that second date.”
“I’d like that,” Connie said.
The crew from Florida Sands was coming down the sidewalk, so Zach gave Connie a warm smile and left.
Things were definitely turning around.
It was bittersweet seeing the group walk through the door without Allister and Isabel. Connie’s only consolation was that justice had been served and Isabel was safely behind bars.
Judging from the solemn, yet relieved, expression that Abby, Paige and Mary Ann were wearing, Connie guessed that they felt the same. She hoped that tonight’s class would, in some small way, contribute to their healing process.
Just behind the Florida Sands group was Jerry, followed by Gertrude, Elyse, Emma, and Victoria. Connie embraced her friends and greeted the rest of the group.
With great care, Mary Ann handed Connie a small bag. She opened it to discover the unfinished turquoise necklace that Allister had started two weeks before, on his last night on earth.
“He had dropped it off in his car after having dinner with Paige and before heading to the pier to meet Isabel,” Mary Ann said solemnly. “We hoped you would finish it for him. We’d like to give it to his sister when she arrives tomorrow for his personal belongings.”
Tears stung at the back of Connie’s eyes. She carefully placed the necklace on the table in front of her chair. “What a beautiful gesture. It would be an honor.”
She had chosen a relatively simple necklace design for her students, so Connie was optimistic that she could finish it that evening.
Grace brought out some cookies, along with some freshly brewed iced tea, while everyone diligently worked. Connie answered a few questions, then got to work on Allister’s necklace.
When the iced tea pitchers were empty, Connie went out back to refill them, and Abby followed her.
“I could use a break,” she said. “I’ll give you a hand.”
When they were out of ear shot of the others, Connie asked, “How are you doing after last night?”
“I’m okay. I’m still in shock that I was working with a killer the past few years, I guess. But I’m looking forward to putting this summer behind me and starting my senior year fresh. The President appointed one of my favorite professors as Interim Chair of the English Department, so I’m optimistic for next year. I may even consider doing my graduate studies at Florida Sands.” Abby’s gaze went down to the floor. “But I think I’ll look for an off-campus job next semester.”
“That’s understandable. I’m so glad that you are looking forward to your senior year, though.”
They filled the pitchers and started to head back to join the others, when Connie suddenly stopped. “I have a great idea! Come September, when the snowbirds start to return, I’ll be looking for another part-time worker. I’d love it if you’d consider taking the job. It would be weekend and evening hours, perfect for a student.”
Abby’s eyes grew wide. “That sounds amazing. I would be a pro at jewelry making by the time I graduate,” she said.
“Absolutely,” Connie said as they headed back. “I’ll teach you everything I know.”
Connie smiled as she realized that she had only been a year older than Abby when she learned how to make jewelry from her friend, Dura, during her post-graduate term of volunteer service in Kenya. Dura was now one of Just Jewelry’s top suppliers.
When they rejoined the others at the table, Emma excitedly declared, “I think I’m done.” She showed her bracelet to Connie, out of view of the others. “I attached the jewelry findings like you taught me. Can you check and make sure I did everything right?”
Connie inspected the bracelet. “It’s beautiful, honey.”
“Emma has not let me see her bracelet since she was here on Sunday,” Elyse said. “I wonder what she’s up to.” Elyse pretended she was trying to see the bracelet, but Emma playfully pulled it away.
Emma beamed as she proudly took her creation over to Victoria, who was sitting on Grace’s lap, and fastened the bracelet around the child’s tiny wrist. “It’s fits perfectly!”
Victoria giggled at Emma’s enthusiasm. Emma kissed her baby sister on the cheek and explained to Elyse that she switched out the E bead for a V bead as a surprise for Victoria. “It’s a gift to welcome my new baby sister to the family,” Emma said.
“She loves it,” Elyse said, tears welling in her eyes. She gave her eldest daughter a hug and a kiss on the top of her head. “I’m sure she’ll treasure it always.”
Everyone else managed to finish their creations, too. Gertrude was pleased with hers and decided to give it to a friend for her eightieth birthday, and Paige, Abby, and Mary Ann were delighted to have something news to spice up their wardrobes.
Jerry and Connie each also finished their projects before the end of the class. Connie wrapped the necklace that Allister began just two weeks before, not knowing it would be his last creative endeavor, and entrusted it to Mary Ann for safe keeping.
“When are you offering another class?” Abby asked Connie.
“With everything that happened this time around, I haven’t had a chance to think about it.”
“It would be a shame if you let what happened to Allister deter you,” Mary Ann said. “There was nothing you could have done to stop that from happening.”
The others nodded in agreement.
“You’re a fantastic teacher,” Jerry said, holding up his finished project for everyone to admire. “Who would have thought I could make something this beautiful for my wife? You might have to vouch for me to prove that I made it myself. Liz is never going to believe it.”
Jerry beamed with pride as the others praised his work.
“I would take another class in a heartbeat,” Abby said. “And I’ll tell my friends to join me.”
“I’ll tell you what,” Connie said. “I’ll plan another class for August and send you all the dates.”
For the first time in two weeks, Connie was optimistic about her next class. She couldn’t wait to see what the future held.
The End
Next Book in this Series
Sapphire Beach Cozy Mystery Collection
(Volume II, Books 4-6)
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Angela K. Ryan, author of the Sapphire Beach Cozy Mystery Series, writes clean, feel-good stories that uplift and inspire, with mysteries that will keep you guessing.
When she is not writing, Angela enjoys the outdoors, especially kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, snowshoeing, and skiing. She lives near Boston and loves the change of seasons in New England, but, like her main character, she looks forward to brief escapes to the white, sandy beaches of southwest Florida, where her mother resides.
Angela dreams of one day owning a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel like Ginger, but isn’t home enough to take care of one. So, for now, she lives vicariously through her main character, Connie.
Sapphire Beach Cozy Mystery Collection Page 48