Receiving a similar look of contempt when he removed the blindfold from the man’s eyes, Chas ripped the tape from his mouth, and found that the heavily bearded man wasn’t quite as reticent as Megan had been.
“I don’t know who you think you are, boy, but I’m gonna kill you as soon as I get my hands on you,” Grant threatened in his gruff, raspy voice. “I got twenty or so of my guys on their way out here, and I’m gonna let them play with you for a bit before I take over. You’re gonna regret the day you were born,” the man who was at least a decade younger than the detective snarled.
With a bored look on his face, Chas reached into his back pocket and grabbed his badge, flashing it in Meecham’s face.
“Sounds to me like we can add threatening an officer of the law to your long line of charges,” he remarked calmly, infuriating the self-proclaimed leader of the Freedom Coalition.
“You really think that you’re gonna be able to arrest me, her, and all the others by yourself?” Meecham scoffed.
“Nah, I’m just babysitting. The FBI will take care of the rest,” the detective replied casually. Megan’s eyes widened with fear before she caught herself, and Grant made a face.
“You’re bluffing,” he growled, nostrils flaring.
Chas just smirked at him when all three heard the distinct sound of helicopter blades moving closer to their location.
Chapter 18
Janssen knew that he shouldn’t be so close to the hot zone, but his curiosity kept him near, and his skills kept him hidden from the swarms of federal agents that had descended upon the FC compound. It had taken some very special persuasion skills to get Grant Meecham to give up the location, but he made sure that he left no marks in the process. It wouldn’t be prudent to have the Feds recognize his technique. He’d laid low for this long, under the radar and out of range of detection, he wasn’t about to jeopardize his solitude now.
When he thought about it, Janssen had to admit to himself that it was time to move on. It felt in some way that his position in south Florida had been compromised, and he couldn’t afford to risk being found now. He watched as the agents located the hidden entrance to the compound, saw them burst in and begin their systematic sweep, then slipped away into the night before they started searching the woods for FC members.
The lead FBI agent thanked Detective Chas Beckett for his outstanding police work and took Grant and Megan into custody. The ringleader, once he knew that he was actually caught, and that the Feds knew everything, struggled and fought, to no avail. Agents subdued him easily, and he began spouting explanations and excuses like his life depended on it, which, in a manner of speaking, it did. Megan Sweeney acted as though her jaws were wired shut and refused to say a word to anyone.
The caliber of bullet in Simon Gettis’s temple came from the same model of gun that was found on the table at the cabin, which had Megan Sweeney’s fingerprints all over it. Ballistics were expected to confirm that she had indeed killed Simon to avenge her father’s death.
A search of the area immediately surrounding the cabin turned up two more bodies. The names of the men killed there were found on a list of Freedom Coalition members that was located in a safe under a shed that was adjacent to the FC compound. Janssen had managed to elicit the information as to where to find the safe from Grant during their “conversation” at the cabin. The bullets used on the victims matched the type fired from one of the other weapons found on the table at the cabin, that one having Grant’s fingerprints on it. Extra ammunition consistent with the types used in the murders, was found in the pockets of Megan and Meecham, and blood samples from the floor of the cabin and its front porch were expected to match those of the victims.
Carter Westphal had been arrested trying to flee the compound, and FBI agents had been dispatched to round up FC members in five counties, who were responsible for the rash of crime in the area. Ledgers detailing the spoils from their crimes were found in the safe, along with information regarding the deposit of funds in Grant Meecham’s personal account, and receipts for various purchases he’d made with the ill-gotten gains.
When the helicopter carrying the two federal prisoners had taken off, leaving FBI agents on hand at the cabin to process the scene, Chas left for home, having been commended by the field agent for cracking a case that they’d been trying to track to the source for more than six months. The detective had smiled and shaken the agent’s hand, knowing full well who deserved the credit for the bust. He would sincerely thank Spencer Bengal when he returned home to his lovely wife, who, thanks to the Marine, was safe and sound.
Chapter 19
Chas nodded his approval when he entered the foyer of the Inn and saw Spencer standing guard outside the door to the owner’s wing. Shaking the handsome young man’s hand, the detective thanked him.
“Great work tonight,” Chas said. “Thank you. And thanks to whoever was helping you, because I know for a fact that you couldn’t be two places at once, yet someone babysat the bad guys and gathered a whole lot of helpful intel, while you watched over my wife. I’m grateful.”
“I have no idea what you mean, sir, but you’re welcome,” Spencer grinned. Mrs. Beckett is a very special lady. I’d put my life on the line to defend her.”
“Somehow I knew you’d say that,” the detective remarked. “Get some sleep son, and take the day off tomorrow, it’s Christmas Eve.”
“No can do, sir. I’m on a very special mission tomorrow, but thanks anyway.”
“Your special mission doesn’t happen to involve the FBI, does it?” Chas sighed.
“No sir. I try to stay away from situations that would cause me to encounter the FBI,” the Marine replied with a smirk.
“So I noticed,” the detective replied wryly. “Alright then, good night Spencer, thanks again.”
“Anytime sir,” he said, heading for his apartment.
**
Chas saw Missy sitting on a barstool at the kitchen island when he came in, Toffee and Bitsy at her feet. She looked up, ran to him and threw herself in his arms, talking a mile a minute.
“Oh, honey, I’m so glad to see that you’re safe. I had no idea what was happening and I went to see what was wrong with Toffee and I got kidnapped, but I don’t remember how, and then I was in some weird place on a couch with a Guardian and then Spencer came and rescued me, but he said there was no Guardian and I was so scared and thirsty, and…”
Her loving husband put his finger gently on her lips to stop the incessant flow of words. “It’s okay, sweetie,” he said softly, rubbing her back and kissing her forehead and cheeks. “I’m here, and it’s all over. You’re going to be just fine.”
“But there was a guy, and Spencer said…” she began again, but Chas interrupted her.
“Missy, I know it may be difficult to understand, but there are some things about Spencer that we don’t know, and it’s probably best for all of us that we don’t know,” he started to explain.
“That’s what the Guardian said!” she exclaimed, wide-eyed.
Chas smiled down at her, love in his eyes. “Let’s just forget about all of this drama, okay? Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and I don’t think there are going to be any emergencies demanding my attention, so we’ll be able to spend it with our friends, just like we had planned. Can we just focus on that, now?”
She blinked at her husband several times, weary from the night’s events, and let it go. “Yes, I’ll be happy to focus on something positive,” she smiled and sighed, snuggling into Chas’s shoulder.
“Good. So, what special mission are you sending Spencer on tomorrow?”
“Special mission? I don’t know anything about a special mission. I don’t like the sound of that,” Missy began to become alarmed. “Did he say something about a special mission, because I don’t know…” she started to spiral again, and Chas held up his hands.
“No. Don’t worry about it. I just thought that perhaps you had some extra errands that you wanted him to run because of our
Christmas Eve dinner, that’s all,” he hedged.
“Oh,” she let out a sigh of relief. “I’m sorry, darlin, I’m just still a little spooked,” she shrugged.
“Completely understandable,” her husband kissed her. “Should we soak in the hot tub for a bit before bed?”
“That would be perfect.”
Chapter 20
“Wow! Chas solved a case that the FBI had been working on for six months? That’s amazing,” Echo exclaimed.
“I just feel so bad that a good man like Brett Sweeney had to die at the hands of those psychos,” Kel remarked sadly.
“I’m so sorry about that, Kel. How is his wife?” Missy asked.
“She packed her bags and headed for her sister’s house in Arizona. They don’t know if she’ll be back to teach after the break or not. It has to be tough on the poor gal. Her husband was murdered, and her daughter will be going to prison for avenging his death by putting a bullet in the head of his killer,” the artist sighed.
“That’s so sad. So much tragedy in one family, and right before Christmas too,” Echo commented.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to put a damper on this festive day,” Kel recovered and changed the subject. “Are you ladies all set for dinner this evening?”
“Well, I was going to do all of the cooking, but, since I want to be able to just sit and enjoy everyone, I decided to have it catered,” Missy confessed.
“Good call,” Echo nodded. “We’re still doing the desserts though, right?”
“Of course! Would I ever trust that to someone else?”
“Good point. Well, I have a bit of a pre-Christmas surprise for you,” her friend announced. “When we’re done with the cupcakes and other goodies that we’re baking, I made an appointment for you, me, and Carla to get manicures and pedicures before the big event tonight.”
Carla Mayhew was Missy’s interior decorator and friend. Until very recently, she and Echo had been like oil and water, they just didn’t mix, but things had finally turned around, and Echo inviting her for girl time wasn’t quite a Christmas miracle, but ranked right up there with peace on earth and goodwill toward men.
“Oh, Echo, that’s perfect!” she exclaimed. “We’ll be all relaxed and pretty for dinner, I love that idea. Thank you for thinking of that.”
“What better way to end the work day and get ready for Christmas Eve festivities?” her friend grinned.
“Well, my, my. All of the ladies are finally getting along,” Kel drawled. “Tis the season.”
“You’re just jealous that you’re not getting a pedicure,” Echo teased.
“There might be an element of truth to that,” the artist agreed easily.
Spencer came in the front door just then, proudly sporting a jaunty Santa hat.
“Spencer Bengal, my hero,” Missy trilled, hoping to make the Marine blush.
“At your service,” the Marine grinned and bowed. “I dropped by for a couple of reasons. One, I’m volunteering to dispose of any spare cupcakes that you might have lying around, and two, I wanted to let you know that I’ll be using the Shopping Shuttle to run some errands.”
“Sure, sweetie, help yourself to whatever is in the display case,” Missy laughed.
He gathered up four cupcakes, taking a huge bite out of one before he even left the shop, exiting with a cheerful wave.
“Where’s he headed?” Echo asked, refilling her coffee mug.
“Who knows? Chas probably sent him out to pick up his dry cleaning or something.”
“Or something,” Kel whispered under his breath with a mischievous grin.
Chapter 21
Missy and Echo baked for three hours to prepare for the Christmas Eve gathering. There were regular and vegan versions of cupcakes, cookies, tarts and more. After everything was done and covered with plastic wrap on trays in the kitchen of the Inn, the gals washed up and headed out to pick up Carla for their trip to the nail spa. She, Echo, and Kel would be spending the night at the Inn, because the friends planned to have brunch and open gifts together on Christmas morning.
“Ahhh…this is exactly what I needed after the past few days,” Missy sighed with contentment, her feet relaxing in swirling, scented water.
“Me too,” Carla agreed. “I did three tablescapes for parties today alone, and the rest of the week was busier than that.”
“Fortunately for me, Kel didn’t open the gallery today, because I told him I wanted to do this with you guys,” Echo murmured, head back against her massaging recliner, eyes closed.
“I’m just so glad that the holiday is finally here, and that we can all take a nice deep breath and relax,” Carla commented. “I’ll be glad for the brief respite from reality.”
“Me too,” Missy nodded. “Hopefully there’ll be enough leftovers from the party tonight that we won’t even have to cook for a couple of days. The caterer thought that I was crazy, but when Spencer suggested that I order extra, it struck me that that was a great idea.”
“That young man is awesome,” the decorator remarked. “How is it that some sweet young thing hasn’t captured him yet?”
“I think he was hurt pretty badly once upon a time and hasn’t quite recovered,” Missy guessed.
“Well, if he needs some TLC, have him give me a call.”
“Carla! You’re old enough to be his mother,” Missy reminded her.
“So?” she and Echo responded in a chorus that set them all off in a fit of laughter.
“Well,” Missy said when she recovered. “He’s like a son to me, and I won’t have you jaded ladies trifling with him.”
“Oh to be young again,” Carla lamented.
“I’m feeling younger all the time,” Missy wiggled her toes appreciatively, admiring the new color that had just been applied.
“When are we supposed to be back at the Inn for dinner?” the decorator asked.
“I told Kel that cocktails started at six and dinner would be at seven.”
“Perfect, that’s still a couple of hours away. We’ll have time to get back to the Inn, get changed and look pretty for the pictures.”
“I’m already hungry,” Echo commented.
“Oh, honey, you should see the vegan dishes I ordered for you. I think you’ll be fighting off the omnivores.”
“I can hold my own,” she chuckled.
Chapter 22
Spencer whistled a holiday tune as he pulled the Shopping Shuttle up in front of the airport’s arrival doors. When he opened the vehicle’s accordion doors and stepped out, he was overwhelmed by the group of excited people who smothered him in hugs.
“Spencer, your generosity is unbelievable,” Ben said, giving the Marine who outweighed him by at least thirty pounds a huge bear hug. “Buying plane tickets for all of us so that we could come for Christmas is way above and beyond, dude.”
“It’s my Christmas present to Missy and Chas. They deserve it,” he replied modestly as Cheryl handed over baby Cammie to him so that she could help Ben get the luggage into the underside compartment.
“Well, it’s an amazing present for us too,” Cheryl seconded her husband’s sentiment, giving the strapping Marine a kiss on the cheek, while Cammie twined her fingers in his long black curls.
“That goes for us too,” Grayson chimed in, with Sarah by his side. The two of them were clearly a couple now, and were adorable in their excitement.
“I’m just glad I get to see all of you again, and I can’t wait to see Mrs. Beckett’s reaction. I’m going to have Kel standing by with a video camera,” Spencer promised.
In an act of utterly selfless generosity, the young veteran had used his own money to buy plane tickets for Ben and Cheryl, who had both been managers in Missy’s cupcake shops when she lived in Louisiana, before she and Chas bought the Inn, and their precious little daughter, Cammie, along with Grayson and Sarah.
Grayson had also worked for Missy in Louisiana, and when she moved to Florida, she had given her last remaining shop to the young ma
n. He’d done a fantastic job with the business, and when he had come to visit the Inn at Thanksgiving, he’d discovered Sarah, a local gal who needed a new start. She travelled back to Louisiana with him, and the rest was history.
Missy, Chas and Echo had no idea that their adopted “family” from Louisiana would be there for Christmas Eve dinner, and Spencer couldn’t wait to spring his surprise. Without clueing her in as to why, he had told Echo to keep Missy out of the house and busy until just before the cocktail hour, so that she would have just enough time to get ready and go to the ballroom, where the whole gang would be waiting to surprise her. Spencer had trusted Kel with his secret and made arrangements for the artist to videotape the reunion, knowing that his boss would appreciate it.
The couples had carried multiple bags of presents with them, and somehow Spencer managed to get everything arranged in the space under the bus. Everyone piled in, and Cheryl led them in singing Christmas songs all the way home, while little Cammie smiled with delight and held onto a massive candy cane that “Uncle Spence” had given her. He had no nieces or nephews of his own, so he’d been more than willing to “adopt” Cammie, and she had instantly taken to the handsome young man.
Back at the Inn, Spencer parked the shuttle and hurried them all into their rooms to get ready for the big surprise. The caterer had already arrived, and the stage was set for Missy and Chas’s Christmas gift.
Chapter 23
“Oh my goodness, there’s just something about having my feet rubbed that puts me in a good mood for the rest of the day,” Missy sighed happily.
“How can you not be in a good mood? It’s Christmas Eve,” Echo grinned, secretly wondering what Spencer was up to. She saw that the shuttle was parked in the side lot, so she knew that he was back from wherever he went.
“Seriously,” Carla agreed. “Even I’m in a good mood,” she joked.
To say that it had been a rough year for the interior decorator was more than an understatement. Her husband and son had been murdered, she’d been stalked by an out-of-town sociopath, and had battled her tendency to self-medicate with alcohol after embarrassing herself at a handful of important social occasions.
Peanut Brittle Murder: A Frosted Love Cozy Mystery - Book 25 (A Frosted Love Cozy Mysteries) Page 5