“We can’t let them get blood all over everything,” Ruby said. “Or we’ll never be able to sell this stuff. And killing Blaine would have been worthless.”
“Shut up,” Chad said. “If we want them to cooperate, they need to think there’s a chance we’ll let them live.”
Lydia didn’t think this sounded promising, but Daniel nodded at her reassuringly. Then they both put their phones away so the light wouldn’t give away their location.
The door to the locker slid up quickly. Chad appeared with a tire iron in his hand. He took an ominous step forward, but Daniel’s location allowed him to make the first move. He hit Chad in the upper back, and he fell.
“Chad!” Ruby cried angrily.
She rushed forward, but to attack Daniel, not to help her boyfriend. Lydia decided to use the rim offensively rather than defensively and threw it at Ruby. It wasn’t a perfect shot, but it did hit her, and she lost her balance.
“You’ll be sorry you did that,” Chad said, starting to recover and pick up his weapon. “I’ll make what I did to Blaine look like child’s play.”
“Freeze!”
Instead of freezing, they all turned to face the voice. Leo and Detective Grey were on the scene with their weapons drawn.
“I got your text,” Leo explained.
Lydia didn’t have words to express how grateful she was that her message had gotten through. However, she did try.
“Thank you for saving us,” she said.
“I should tell you that you shouldn’t get into these situations where you need saving, but I fear I’ll be wasting my breath. And I need it to read these guys their rights.”
Leo and Detective Grey read Chad and Ruby their rights and then led them away. Lydia moved closer to Daniel.
“Since they basically heard a confession and saw another attempted murder, I’m sure Gavin will be released shortly.”
Daniel pulled her into a hug. “You really never do let me down, Lydia.”
Epilogue
“How about just a little more dessert?” Gwen suggested.
“I’ve loved every minute of our meal together,” Lydia said. “But I really do need to get going.”
She and Daniel had gone out to dinner with Gavin and Gwen to celebrate his release from jail. The Pierces had insisted on treating them to a fancy meal as thanks for clearing their names.
“How about for one more toast?” Gavin suggested, picking up his glass.
Lydia relented and picked up her own glass.
“To Daniel, my best friend,” said Gavin. “And to our new friend, Lydia. Without the two of you, I’d still be behind bars. So, thank you.”
“I’ll add to that,” said Gwen. “I’d like to toast to staying in each other’s lives. I don’t want any of us to ever disappear again.”
“I’m sorry that I avoided people I cared about when I was hurting,” Daniel told them. “You two do both mean the world to me.”
“But I think I am glad that you came here,” Gwen said. “It’s all been good for you: the sea air, the work protecting people on the beach, and of course, Lydia Doherty.”
Gwen tipped her glass, and they all drank. Lydia was beaming. It seemed that she had won approval from Daniel’s friends after all – and she thought it was only partially due to her sleuthing skills. The rest was based on her personality, strength, and loyalty. It probably also didn’t hurt that she made delicious taffy.
Daniel reached for her hand, and they intertwined fingers beneath the table.
“I like what Gwen said about not disappearing. Are you sure you need to go now?” asked Gavin.
“I really have had a terrific time. And I definitely want to spend more time with you,” said Lydia. “But if I don’t find a new house soon, I’ll be in trouble. I know that I can’t live in a storage locker.”
“All right. We’ll let you go and do some house hunting,” said Gavin.
“But you’ll have to invite us to your housewarming party,” said Gwen.
“It’s a deal,” Lydia told her new friends with a smile.
Also by Allyssa Mirry
The Sticky Sweet Series
Book 1: Pineapple and Poison
Book 2: Double Chocolate and Death
Book 3: Cinnamon Swirl and Suspicions
Book 4: Cotton Candy and Corpses
Book 5: Banana Split and Bodies
Book 6: Dragon Fruit and Dread
Book 7: Strawberry Kiwi and Slayings
Book 8: Fireworks and Felonies
Book 9: Sour Apple and Animosity
Book 10: Chocolate Cherry and Chills
Book 11: Almonds and Arson
Book 12: Blueberry Pies and Burial
Author’s Note
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