by Cindy Bell
“You really believe she planned this whole thing, Abe?”
“If the money goes to her before the lawsuits are settled then those people who are suing Joel’s company will not see a dime,” Walt suddenly announced. “It's actually quite brilliant.”
“What he said.” Abe nodded as he glanced in Walt's direction. “The woman is more devious than anyone I have ever met.”
“Don't listen to him,” Eddy warned Samantha. “He's just trying to muddle the truth so that he has a chance in court.”
“I can't believe that you think we should just let this go.” Samantha looked in Eddy's direction. “Don't you think that justice should be served?”
“I think that you need to realize that there is a difference between justice and what is actually possible. If Anna is responsible for orchestrating Joel's death, of course she should face some criminal charges. But what are the chances of being able to prove that? Do you think she wrote it down somewhere? It's her word against Abe's, and Abe just got outed as one of the most repulsive men to walk the face of the Earth. Who is going to believe his story over a grieving widow who has never had a mark on her record?” Eddy argued, though it was clear from the way he spoke that he was aggravated. Samantha was aggravated as well.
“But, that doesn't mean she can just get away with it.” Samantha was getting more and more flustered by the minute. She was sure that Eddy couldn't seriously be suggesting that they just let Anna get away with it.
“It doesn't mean that she should.” Eddy locked eyes with her. “But that doesn't change the fact that she most likely will.” He looked at her apologetically. “Abe will give his statement I'm sure. The police will do what they can with it.”
Before Samantha could reply the police burst through the door.
“Hands in the air!” The lead officer pointed his weapon at the entire group. Eddy raised his hands, followed by Walt, and Samantha. Abe raised his as well. His shoulders slumped as the officer walked up to him. He looked so resigned to his fate. Or perhaps he was just weighed down by heartbreak.
Chapter Nineteen
As Eddy explained the situation to the arresting officers, Abe was cuffed and led from the villa. Walt walked over to Samantha.
“Do you think they will believe Abe's story?” Walt asked.
“I don't know,” Samantha said feeling confused. “I doubt it. He's told one too many lies to be believed now.”
“Excuse me, Sir.” One of the officers gestured to Walt. “I need you to file the report for the break in.”
“Of course,” Walt agreed. He glanced over at Samantha. “Are you okay?”
“Sure.”
While Walt was speaking to one of the officers another came over to take Samantha's statement. She told the officer the entire tale from the plan to her suspicion of Anna's involvement. The officer's eyes glazed over about halfway through, but that might have been because of how fast Samantha was talking.
“Maybe I should write it out for you?” Samantha offered.
“Thanks, but I don’t think that’s necessary,” the officer replied. “I think I got the most important details.”
When the officer walked away from her Samantha slipped out of the bedroom and through the living room to the front door. She wanted to see them take Abe away. The more she thought about how he had betrayed not only his friend, but also his entire community the more it bothered her. Eddy followed her outside and stopped beside her on the front porch.
“What are we going to do about Anna?” Samantha asked. Eddy looked over at her with some apprehension.
“What do you mean what are we going to do about her?” He settled his gaze on Samantha.
“I mean we can't just let her get away with this,” Samantha stated firmly as she looked towards the police car that was driving away with Abe in the backseat.
“Get away with what?” Eddy shrugged. “We have no idea if anything Abe said was true. He could have just been spinning a story in the hopes that he would get less jail time.”
“Or he could have been telling the truth!”
“He could have been.” Eddy nodded thoughtfully. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thanks,” Samantha said with appreciation.
“I’ll let you know if I find anything,” he said. “But I don’t like my chances. I promise I’ll tell you if I find anything, you just make sure you get some rest.”
“All right. You make sure you do, too.”
“I will,” he agreed.
Eddy’s watched as Samantha walked away. His muscles were still tense from attacking Abe. When he had seen Abe in Walt's bedroom, his protective instincts had gone through the roof. He hated the idea that Abe might have hurt his friends. It was not something he could let go of easily.
Once Samantha had turned towards her villa Eddy stepped back inside to check on Walt.
“Are you doing okay?” Eddy asked him. Walt sat down on the easy chair in his living room and stared. He looked dazed.
“I think so. I have to say that's the closest I've ever come to a home invasion and I hope I never experience it again.” He scowled. “I thought it would be fine since we all planned for it to happen, but it really wasn't.”
“It's violating.” Eddy nodded. “I know the feeling. But it will ease with a little time. The important thing is that nobody got hurt.”
“Yes, you're right,” Walt agreed with relief.
“Do you want to come to my place until the officers finish up?” Eddy offered. “You could catch a nap.”
“No, that's okay. I'll wait until they're done. There's going to be a lot of straightening up to do.” He gulped as one of the officers accidentally knocked over a carefully organized stack of magazines.
“All right then, I'm going to head out. Just let me know if there's anything that you need.” He shook Walt's hand. “You did a great job.”
Walt smiled in return. Then his gaze shifted back to the disarray that was occupying his mind.
Chapter Twenty
Samantha couldn't just sit in her villa. She had tried to sleep for hours, but found it impossible. Her mind kept returning to the thought of Abe sitting in his wheelchair, watching Joel and Anna's house. He had given up everything in his life for the con. He had made sure that he never made a mistake. All of the freedoms that most people took for granted, he gave up willingly, because he wanted money.
Early the next morning she decided to go for a walk by the lake to try and relax.
As she neared the lake Eddy walked towards her. “How are you doing, Sam?”
“I honestly don't know,” Samantha said hesitantly. “There have been many times that I've researched crimes that went unpunished, but this is the first time I personally know someone is getting away with murder, and there is nothing I can do about it.”
“Anna didn't actually kill him,” Eddy pointed out. “That was all Abe's decision.”
“I know,” she said thoughtfully. “But she did have an influence on his decision. Anyway, it doesn't matter now, does it?” she added as she shook her head. “She's gotten away with it, and there's nothing that we can do about that.”
“Oh, there might be a little something that can be done.” Eddy raised an eyebrow with a mischievous smirk.
“What do you mean?” Samantha asked with surprise.
“Well, that’s why I came to see you. I got a call from Chris and he found out that from what Abe told the police they have decided to further investigate Anna’s involvement in the murder. Of course it will depend on what they can dig up, but trust me, Anna's luck is going to run out, and soon.” He reached up and tipped his fedora slightly forward on his head. “There is no perfect crime, Samantha, at least not when we're around.”
Samantha smiled at him. As they walked back down the hill towards the water, the tall grass swayed slowly as if beckoning to them. The familiar sound of the birds chirping and the glistening, blue lake made her feel at peace. Samantha felt that Sage Gardens was safe once again.
She had never felt more at home.
The End
From the Author
Thank you very much for reading Trust Can Be Deadly, the third book in the Sage Gardens Cozy Mystery Series. If you enjoyed the book and would like to be updated when I release a new book you can sign up for email updates at http://www.cindybellbooks.com/newsletter. I will never share your email and you will only receive emails from me when I have released a new book, am offering a discount or when I have giveaways.
If you did enjoy the book and would like to leave a review at Amazon I would appreciate it. Reviews help other readers who might be interested in the book.
About the Author
Cindy Bell is the author of the cozy mystery series Sage Gardens, Bekki the Beautician, Dune House, Heavenly Highland Inn and Wendy the Wedding Planner.
Cindy has always loved reading, but it is only recently that she has discovered her passion for writing romantic cozy mysteries. She loves walking along the beach thinking of the next adventure her characters can embark on.
You can sign up for her newsletter so you are notified of her latest releases at http://www.cindybellbooks.com/newsletter.
More Books by Cindy Bell
Sage Gardens Cozy Mysteries
Birthdays can be Deadly
Money can be Deadly
Wendy the Wedding Planner Cozy Mysteries
Matrimony, Money and Murder
Chefs, Ceremonies and Crimes
Knives and Nuptials
Mice, Marriage and Murder
Bekki the Beautician Cozy Mysteries
Hairspray and Homicide
A Dyed Blonde and a Dead Body
Mascara and Murder
Pageant and Poison
Conditioner and a Corpse
Mistletoe, Makeup and Murder
Hairpin, Hair Dryer and Homicide
Blush, a Bride and a Body
Shampoo and a Stiff
Cosmetics, a Cruise and a Killer
Lipstick, a Long Iron and Lifeless
Camping, Concealer and Criminals
Dune House Cozy Mysteries
Seaside Secrets
Boats and Bad Guys
Treasured History
Hidden Hideaways
Dodgy Dealings
Heavenly Highland Inn Cozy Mysteries
Murdering the Roses
Dead in the Daisies
Killing the Carnations
Drowning the Daffodils
Suffocating the Sunflowers
Books, Bullets and Blooms
A Deadly Serious Gardening Contest
A Bridal Bouquet and a Body