by Misty Malone
"And you think that's what she's done?"
"I do. Criminal psychologists also spend a lot of time testifying in court, so they get lots of training in how to answer questions so they come across as believable to a jury. They have to be able to sell their story to that jury. So she was trained in how to sell her story to the sheriff and his deputies."
Chase was beginning to see her point. "Anything else?"
"Why did Ralph say he had a burner phone again?"
"He bought it and used it when he went to look for a new car. He said he takes his time deciding which car he wants to buy, and he hates when a salesman calls and bugs you until you buy a car. He says they always want your number because there's something they'll check on and call you back, so he bought a phone at a convenience store and gave that number to all the salesmen. Once he bought a car he threw it away and didn't have to deal with them calling him any more."
"And that makes sense. It also explains why he told the deputy he couldn't remember the number on the phone. He probably couldn't. Why should he?"
Chase nodded his head in agreement. "That makes sense. But it still doesn't prove anything. So he gave that number to the car dealers. So?"
"We can get that number from the car dealers and check and see if it's the number she called. She may have gotten a burner phone and called it a bunch of times simply as a cover-up. She could say that was the number she reached him at. If she bought the phone she could destroy it then, and how would Ralph be able to prove it wasn't his phone?"
"That's true."
"She's doing just like this says. She's been setting him up to take the fall. They haven't been able to find any evidence to prove he did it because there isn't any. She's just making everything point to him so you think he did it, but it's all circumstantial evidence. Then she professionally answers questions so that you have no reason not to believe her. She picked him because he already did two things, so it won't be hard for you to believe he did the rest of them."
"This is starting to make a lot of sense, Cece."
"So what do you think we should do now?"
After several thoughtful moments Chase suggested, "I think we should go to Sheriff Miller. He'll know what to do next."
"Yeah, you're probably right. Is there anything else we need to prove first?"
She didn't like the frown he gave her. "I think he should be able to prove whatever needs to be proven."
"Okay," she conceded. "Do you want to call him or should I?"
"I'll call him, first thing tomorrow morning. Right now let's go get you some supper."
Her hands went to her hips as she glared at him. "You're kidding, right? I'm not hungry. You need to call the sheriff tonight so he can get people started checking this stuff out. Chase, your uncle is in jail and he shouldn't be. We can't just leave him in there overnight."
Chase met her stance, hands on hips and glaring right back. "You need to stop telling me what I need to do, young lady, and watch your attitude. You've already been warned tonight, so I should probably be taking you over my knee right now. The reason I'm not is because I understand what you're saying. You're a very passionate lady with a big heart, and I realize you're trying to help my uncle. I appreciate that. But it's late and he won't be able to do anything before tomorrow morning, anyway. Besides, it will take a little explaining before he understands all this. I'll call him early in the morning to tell him basically what you found. Then I'll pick you up right after breakfast and we'll go in and talk to him in person, answer any questions he has. Good enough?"
His stance and stern voice had both softened as he spoke and it helped Cece realize he was right. "I'm sorry, Chase," she said quietly. "I just hate to think of your uncle sitting in jail now that we know he shouldn't be."
Chase took her in his arms and held her tight. "I know, Darlin', and thank you for caring like that for my family. Hopefully we can get him out tomorrow."
"I hope so. I hope he and your Aunt Helen don't still think you and your dad are out to get him."
"I think they'll have to realize that now." He kissed her forehead and said, "It means a lot to me that you care about my family, Cece." He took her face in his hands, and the passion in the kiss that followed showed how much he meant those words.
He pulled himself back far enough to put on a semi stern face. "Now, about supper, young lady. We've talked before about you skipping meals. Are you ready to eat something?"
She grinned and nodded. "Now that I know you'll call him first thing in the morning, yeah, I guess I am a little hungry. Will you eat something with me?"
"I'm not sure I want anything, but I'll certainly keep you company while you eat."
The next morning Chase and Cece got to the sheriff's office at eight o'clock. They were surprised by what he and one of his deputies had done already. "I called and talked to Ralph's attorney," the sheriff told them. "I relayed to him what you told me, because I wanted to ask Ralph a couple questions. His attorney advised him not to answer any more questions without talking to him first, so I called him to tell him the new information I have."
Cece was standing now, anxious for things to happen. "Is he going to let Ralph answer the questions?"
"He already has. He came down and was with Ralph while I questioned him, which proved very interesting."
She was almost beside herself now, bouncing up and down. "Why? What was so interesting?"
Chase stood up and went to her, putting his arm around her waist and pulling her to him in an attempt to calm her.
Sheriff Miller had to smile as he watched the two of them. "I asked him if he knew how Cindy would know he had a burner phone. He told us she saw him in the Dollar General store when he bought it. He didn't know who she was at the time, but she was ahead of him in the checkout line, and the clerk knew her and called her by name as they visited."
"So that explains how she knew he had a burner phone," Chase commented.
"Yes, but there's more. On a hunch I sent a deputy over there this morning to talk to the clerk. He took a picture of Ralph, and the clerk remembered the day Ralph bought the phone, and that she was in front of him that day. She remembered her being there because the clerk said Cindy came back the next day and bought a phone herself."
Chase and Cece glanced at each other. "She bought one," Chase repeated, thinking. "Is that good or bad, or have nothing to do with this case?"
"I'm not sure," the sheriff answered. "I'd like to find that phone or know what the number is. We know Cindy called a burner phone and received calls from one, which we assumed was Ralph's. Chase, after you explained what you and Cece think she did, I'm wondering if maybe the calls on her phone bill were to her own burner phone."
Cece's eyes were wide now. "My thought exactly, Sheriff. What now?"
"I've already gotten a search warrant and two deputies are on their way over to her apartment right now. They're looking for a phone, or anything relating to a phone."
Thinking he knew the answer, Chase asked, "And if you find a phone with the number on her phone bill?"
"That would pretty much prove your theory," the sheriff answered.
Chase and Cece stopped to talk to Ben on their way home. They explained everything they'd learned, and promised to keep him informed. Chase dropped her off at her house and went home to work, promising to call her the minute he heard anything.
When he came in for lunch he saw Ginger in a small corral by his barn. He smiled and went to the barn where the puppies were. Sure enough, there was his precious little lady, lying on her tummy in the straw, with the two adult dogs lying up next to her on either side. She was playing with a toy with one puppy in front of her, and the other puppy was on her back, playing with her hair. Chase stood there watching them for a couple minutes, before the puppy in front of her noticed him and started barking and wagging his tail.
"What do you see, little guy," Cece asked as she turned around to look behind her. She jumped when she saw Chase standing there, arms cro
ssed, casually leaning against the wall and smiling down at her. "Hi, cowboy. What are you looking at?" She picked up one of the puppies and gave it a little hug. "Cute, huh?"
"Absolutely the cutest thing ever. The puppy's kind of cute, too."
Cece felt her face flame. "Oh, you."
He reached a hand down to help her up and into his arms for a kiss. "Your dad gone today?"
"Yeah, he's at a horse auction."
"So you came down to play with the pups?"
"Yeah, and to see if you've heard anything yet."
"Not yet, but let's go have lunch. Maybe he'll call while we're eating."
"I didn't come over for lunch. Stella wasn't planning on me being here. She—"
"She will have plenty for you, too, so come on." His stern expression ended her argument, and she smiled at him as he led her into the house with a hand on her back.
Sure enough, while they were eating they got a phone call from Sheriff Miller. Chase put the phone on speaker so they could both hear the news. "The deputies executed the search warrant this morning and struck gold. They found the burner phone that appeared on her cell phone bill. It was hidden in the desk in her office."
"That's great," Chase said. "What happens next as relates to Uncle Ralph?"
"We talked to Cindy and told her what we found. She claimed the phone must have been planted there because she knows nothing about it, has never seen it. But in my opinion the expression on her face said it all. She was devastated when we told her what we'd found."
Cece was concerned. "If she denied it was hers, now what?"
"We sent the phone to the crime lab to check for fingerprints. They found exactly what we thought they'd find; Cindy's fingerprints were on it, but none of Ralph's. As a matter of fact, her fingerprints are the only ones on it. That closes the case. There never was any actual evidence against Ralph other than we knew he had a burner phone and her phone bill showed several calls to a burner phone. Now that we have the phone and it's hers, there is no evidence against him. The fact that it's her phone goes a long way toward proving your theory, Cece. That was good work. Have you ever thought of becoming a detective?"
Cece laughed. "No, I most certainly have not."
"Sheriff, does Uncle Ralph know all this?"
"He does. I called him and told him we're dropping charges. He needs to give the prosecutor a couple days to get all the paperwork in and then he can get his bail back. He's officially a free man."
"That's great," Chase enthused. "I'll call Dad and let him know. He'll be so happy to hear that."
"I'm sure he will," Sheriff Miller said. "I hope your family can work everything out okay."
"Yeah, me, too. Thank you, Sheriff.
Chase pulled Cece up from the table and into his arms. "Honey, I am so proud of you. You're the reason Uncle Ralph is free right now."
"I'm so glad it's over, Chase. I hated seeing your family being pulled apart like that."
"Yeah, me, too." After a slow, lingering kiss full of passion Chase pulled her down onto his lap to call his dad with the good news before they finished lunch.
* * * * *
Several days later Joe and his wife, Melinda McDermott, arrived at Chase's to celebrate. Cece was anxious to meet Chase's mom, but a little nervous. It was important to her that his mom liked her. Chase assured her she was worried about nothing, but as soon as the two ladies met they hit it off. There was a natural appreciation they both felt for the other, and Joe and Chase saw it instantly.
"Son, you said Cece was nervous about meeting your mother, and I'll tell you, your mother was feeling the same anxiety. I don't think either one of them needed to worry a bit. There's already a closeness there I can't explain. I hope your sister and Cece get along that well."
"I do, too," Chase said. "I think they will." Joe nodded.
The next day, on Saturday, Chase's sister, Carol and her husband, Allen Thompson, arrived. Carol and Cece were like instant friends. Fifteen minutes after they arrived Carol and Cece were outside playing with the puppies, talking and laughing like old friends. Joe and Melinda chuckled as they caught Chase and Allen watching the women and smiling. Joe gave his wife a gentle kiss on her cheek. "It looks like we're not the only ones glad the girls are getting along."
That night Joe and Melinda McDermott, Carol and Allen Thompson, Chase's Uncle Ralph and his Aunt Helen, along with Pete Anderson, joined Chase and Cece in Chase's living room. "I'm so glad everyone could come tonight," Chase told the assembled group. "Ever since this whole thing has finally been over I've wanted to get the McDermott family together."
There were a lot of people nodding in agreement, but Ralph was the first to speak. "I'm glad you had us all here, too, Chase. It gives me the opportunity to apologize to the whole family for what I put everyone through."
Chase quickly held his hand up. "You've already done that, Uncle Ralph, and it's not necessary again. That's not why I wanted us to get together. Since this happened I've come to realize how important family is and how important it is that family sticks together." A lot of McDermotts were nodding their head in agreement as he continued. "The ironic part of that realization is that it was pointed out to me by one of the only two people in this room that aren't a McDermott or married to one."
Every eye in the room now turned to Cece, who blushed. Chase squeezed her hand he'd been holding. "Thank you, Cece, for pointing that importance out to me."
Several others in the room gave her their thanks, as well.
She squeezed his hand back and smiled at everyone. "You're all very welcome. Maybe it was easier for me to see how important family is because the only family I have is my father. I love him to pieces, but he and I are the Anderson family. I just didn't want you to lose that closeness a family has."
Pete looked at his daughter with warm eyes. There was a lot of pride there, as well.
Joe, who was sitting on the other side of Cece, reached over and patted her hand. "Thank you for pointing it out to all of us. And just so you know, your father and I have become very good friends during my visits here, and I've gotten to know you rather well, as well. I feel that family closeness with both of you, so as far as I'm concerned, you're a part of this family. Pete did a lot to help Chase through all this, and that makes you both part of our family in my book."
Cece blushed again. "Thank you. That means a lot to me." She turned to Chase next. "Chase, you told me one time early on that if this is your ranch you're going to run it your way. You hope it makes it, but if not, at least you know you tried. You did what you felt you should do and ran it the way you felt it should be run."
Chase smiled at her. "I remember that. If the ranch failed I didn't want to have to think back to things I thought I should have done, but let people talk me out of."
She was still blushing as she nodded her head. "I thought it was a good thought then, and I still do. When you said that my respect for you went up several notches, and it's just grown the more we've gotten to know each other. I feel very sure that if you keep running your ranch your way you'll do just fine."
Joe was the first to agree with that statement. "You've found a smart little lady, son. I couldn't agree with her more. You'll do fine, I'm sure of it."
With all eyes on Chase now, he turned to Cece. "Thank you, Honey, for telling me that. It means a lot to me. But there is one thing I need to change about the ranch yet, in order to be able to truly say it's my ranch and I'm running it my way."
She looked at him, confused. "What's that?"
He looked around at his family, then back at her. "This isn't exactly how, when and where I had planned for this, but somehow it feels right." He got down on one knee in front of her as he pulled a small box from his pocket. "Cecelia Louise Anderson, I love you. I want to run this ranch my way, but that includes having you right there beside me the whole way. Will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
Cece was so shocked, she momentarily froze. She looked around the room and saw so
much love in everyone's eyes. They were all holding their breath and smiling. Chase's mother and sister had a few tears rolling down their cheeks. She looked at her dad, who was smiling ear to ear, but looked a little nervous, as well. Then she looked at Chase. He was the most handsome man she'd ever met, but right now all she saw was the man she loved and respected more than she thought possible, and he looked nervous. Actually, he looked a little scared. It occurred to her that it was the first time she'd actually seen him with that look on his face. And then it hit her. The only time she'd seen him look this concerned, worried, scared even, was now, while he was waiting to hear her answer. At that moment she felt so cherished and loved, she knew this was the only place she wanted to be.
A tear rolled down her cheek as well, as she looked into his eyes. "Yes," she whispered. "I will be very honored to marry you, Chase. I love you."
After that things happened so fast her head was spinning. She found herself in Chase's arms, and it felt wonderful. She hugged him back, and then he was kissing her. He kissed her with an urgency she hadn't felt from him before, but that felt wonderful, too. She heard the rest of the room explode in cheers and applaud, and that even felt wonderful.
She heard several comments, which were very touching to her, as well. Joe said, "It's about time you make her a McDermott. Now she and Pete are part of this family in every sense of the word."
Melinda and Carol welcomed her to the family. That meant a lot to Cece, as well, as they had gotten along real well from the time she met them.