by Amy Phipps
She could hear Adam's deep voice say “Did you hear that?”
Grabbing Twinkie by the collar she gave it a jerk and demanded. “Got to Go... Now!” The fear in her voice motivated the large Saint Bernard because he turned and followed her down the trail. Running as fast as she could she fished her cell phone out of her pocket and called Nana.
“Hello,” Came Margaret voice from the other end.
“Nana, I know who killed Florence it was Adam and Molly and their chasing me.” Amanda's words came out breathlessly.
“What?” Margaret screamed putting the phone on speaker.
“Call the police!” She was gulping air with each word. “Their going to kill me!”
“Freckles, I'm coming! I will call the police just stay on the line.” Henry demanded.
“Okay” She huffed and began to silently pray.
“She's at the park, Henry! Hurry!” Amanda could hear the panic in her grandmother's voice.
Panic and fear ran through her as she heard footsteps growing closer with each step. Her lungs were burning with each breath. Finally she burst out into the bright sunlight she could see her red bike calling to her. Just a little bit farther, she told herself.
Suddenly a large hand attached itself to her long blonde hair pulling her backwards, causing both her and Adam to crash to the ground. She let out a loud scream in pain as her cell phone went flying from her hand. Struggling to get up as he used his weight to pin her to the ground. He was strong, very strong. Amanda was clawing and hitting him in her quest to break free.
Molly was panting. “She knows too much, Kill Her!” Adam managed to get his hands around her throat and started to squeeze. Bringing tears to her eyes. She could feel her heart beating out of her chest. Digging her fingernails into the flesh on his face. Her legs flailing trying to throw him off her.
Twinkie slammed into him at full speed barking and growling at Adam. Knocking him off of her and onto the ground as he attached himself to Adam's arm. The massive dog was shaking his head not willing to release her attacker. Adam screamed in pain.
Amanda was dazed but still tried to get to her feet. Molly grabbed her around the waist and pulled her to the ground. They were rolling in the dirt clawing, punching and hair pulling when a shot rang out and a male voice yelled. “Hold it right there!” It was Henry's voice. Amanda looked up and there stood Henry's legs spread and both hands holding a revolver pointed right at Molly. Slowly she let go of Amanda, held up her hands in the air and started crying.
Adam was screaming. “Get this dog off of me!” He was covered in blood and Twinkie was growling and shaking his head refusing to let go.
Amanda stood up and staggered over to stand behind Henry. “Twinkie drop it!” She called. The massive beast released the whimpering man and ran over to join Amanda as if nothing had happened at all. “Freckles you all right?” Henry's voice full of concern but his eyes never leaving the two murders in front of him.
“Yeah, Thanks to you and Twinkie.” Her voice hoarse from her ordeal.
Sirens blaring as three police cars came to a screeching halt. Sheriff Thomas and two deputies jumped out of their vehicles and arrested both Adam and Molly.
After returning home Amanda climbed out of the car, she still wore Henry's coat and Twinkie followed close behind still covered in mud and blood from Adam's forearm. Margaret rushed to meet them and hugged her so tightly that Amanda thought her ribs might break. Looking up at Nana's Victorian house made a smile spread across her lips and she knew there was know place on earth that she would rather be.
“Let's get you inside, Dr. Winters is here and I want him to check you out.” Margaret insisted as she fussed and pulled Amanda inside the house.
“The EMT's said I am fine.” She grumbled as Margaret shoved her down on the couch.
“I think I will be the judge of that.” Jonah commented sitting his medical bag on the coffee table.
Olive burst through the front door demanding. “What happened!” She practically landed atop Amanda as she plopped down on the couch not even bothering to take off her coat. “The rumor mill is on fire.”
Amanda sighed as Jonah shined a small light into her eyes continuing with his examination. “Twinkie and me stumbled on Adam and Molly in the woods. I overheard them talking about Florence's murder and they saw me.” Amanda could feel Jonah's warm hands on the sides of her neck as he checked the bruises that had already started to form.
“They tried to kill you!” Olive gasped her hand flying over her mouth.
“After you kill your own mother.” Margaret interrupted and handed Amanda a glass of water. “Another person is no big deal.”
“Why? I know she wasn't the nicest person, but your own mother.” Olive shook her head in disbelief.
“Money.” Amanda answered. “Remember when Connie got fired for money missing from the company accounts.”
“Yes,” Olive answered nodding her head.
“That was Adam. He was stealing money from the company. He and Molly never broke up just made a show of it to get his mother off his back. They decided before Florence realized that it wasn't Connie, because it was still happening, they needed to get rid of Florence.” Amanda explained.
“How sad.” Margaret said in a quiet voice.
“What's really sad. He even tried to frame his own sister so Adam would inherit her half of the estate.” Henry commented in a disgusted voice.
“People will do all sorts of things for greed.” Jonah announced as he put some antibiotic cream on a few of Amanda's scrapes. “I guess Sheriff Thomas will be letting Cassie go.”
“Absolutely.” Henry chuckled, “Molly started singing like a canary before they finished putting the cuffs on her.”
“Good! I never thought Cassie was involved.” Olive interjected leaning in close she asked. “How did they do it.”
“Remember the picture of the unlocked door in the basement of the church.” Henry said looking at Margaret.
“Yes, I thought it was strange that it would be unlocked.” Margaret announced.
“You also thought there was two people involved and you were right.” Olive interrupted and patted Margaret on the shoulder.
“Molly unlocked it earlier after carrying some boxes from the basement. Adam slipped in later when no one was watching and killed her.” Henry explained.
Amanda's eyes grew wide with realization. “And I gave him the perfect excuse.” Her shoulders sagged as she continued. “I spilled my drink on him and he said he had workout clothes in his car. That must have been when he did it.”
“That's not your fault.” Margaret said in a sympathetic voice.
“Your grandmother's right. He would have found another way.” Jonah said giving her a reassuring smile. “I think you will live.” Standing to give Amanda some space.
Margaret leaned over and hugged Amanda again. “I'm just glad you didn't get hurt.”
Amanda smiled saying. “Luckily for me Twinkie and Henry were there to save me.” She reached down and patted Twinkie's head, who had found himself a soft spot right next to the couch to rest.
Margaret announced. “Twinkie, I will cook you anything you want, since you're a hero.”
“There will be no living with him after this.” Jonah interjected as everyone laughed and Twinkie rolled over to get his belly rubbed.
A few days later Amanda was sitting on the porch swing petting Ghost who was stretched out on her lap. Teaching Margaret how to use her new smart phone. After everything that happened Margaret realized that a cellphone wasn't a bad thing. While Twinkie was rolling back and forth on his back out in the front yard making strange noises obviously enjoying himself. They were laughing at the ridiculous dog as Cassie pulled into the driveway. Amanda hadn't spoken to Cassie since her mother's funeral. A lot has happened since then. Nervously, Amanda gave Margaret a meaningful look and waited for Cassie to make it to the porch.
“I'm sorry.....” Cassie blurted then hesitated and started
again. “I should have come earlier but there was a lot of things that I needed to take care of first. Adam has been charged with embezzlement, murder, and attempted murder. ” Sighing she ran her fingers through her chestnut hair. “That's not completely true. I was embarrassed and wasn't sure you would want to see me or anyone with the name Hardy.”
“Why wouldn't I want to see you?” Amanda tilted her head confused.
“My brother did try to kill you.” Cassie commented with a concerned look on her face.
“Yeah but what's a little attempted murder between friends.” Amanda smiled and waved her hand in the air. “Actually I'm sorry too.” Amanda admitted. “I wasn't sure you wanted to talk to me.”
“Why?” It was Cassie's turn to be confused.
Amanda reached down and picked up Ghost to scratch his ears. “I did send your brother to prison.”
“ I don't think my brother will be bothering either of us for a long time. Besides you did get me out of jail.” Cassie said with a shrug.
Amanda stretched out her hand. “So friends?”
“I would love that if you truly still want to be friends?” She asked surprised taking her hand to shake it.
“Of course! You're the only vet in town and what if Ghost needs you.” Amanda tried to sound serious but couldn't hold in her laughter.
“I'm making fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy. Do you want to stay for dinner?” Margaret asked getting up from the porch swing and stuffing her phone in her sweater pocket.
Cassie smiled. “Absolutely!”
THE END