Matt masked his rage at Edwards’s devious determination to kill Sara.
Sara stopped in the middle of her story, and cast a glance at him. “Why aren’t you surprised the killer turned out to be Charles Edwards? If you tell me you knew it all along, I may shoot you.”
“We found out late this evening. Hunter, Davis, and I were at his home to arrest him when the call came in about the disturbance here.”
Sara sighed and drew a shaky breath. “Charles confessed everything. Marnie drove the van that killed Penny. She’d been drinking, he tried to protect her. Increditably, Charles also murdered Josh, and made the attempts on my life.”
Strobe lights flashed through the windows, and siren blared, as the ambulance headed to Twin Falls Memorial with Don Tompkins. Two uniformed officers followed Hunter and Davis into the kitchen and stood in the doorway. Davis pulled out a chair next to Matt, and Hunter took a stool at the island bar.
“Who hit him?” Hunter asked.
Matt nodded toward Maddie. She raised her head to look at Hunter. “I did.”
The two detectives exchanged a look of surprise, and Davis turned to Maddie. “What happened?”
Maddie took a sip of tea. Her hand trembled as she sat the cup back on the table. “I heard noises and came down the passageway from my room to investigate. I almost tripped over Don on the floor. He was conscious and whispered for me to call the police. I went back to my room and placed the call. When I came back, Don had passed out.
“When I reached the library, I overheard the man, Mr. Edwards, telling Sara how he had killed Joshua and was going to kill her. I was afraid to leave. I thought he would shoot her. I picked up the glass tennis ball on the shelf and threw it. I didn’t know what else to do. Because of my vision, my aim isn’t as good as it used to be. I planned to knock him unconscious but he must have heard me and turned.”
“How did you see well enough to hit him? “Davis asked.
“I can see people at a short distance, although I can’t always recognize who they are. I just threw at his head.”
Hunter whistled. “That’s amazing.”
Maddie looked down into her teacup. “I guess that depends on your perspective.” She shuddered. “It was awful. It must have killed him instantly. He didn’t make a sound.”
Matt placed his hand over hers. “That must have been a powerful fastball you threw. Don’t blame yourself. You saved Sara, Don and possibly the children’s lives, as well as your own.”
She nodded. “I’ll try to remember that, Matthew. I did a lot of praying before I threw it, knowing if I missed, he would kill both of us. But taking a life is an awesome responsibility, even when it’s unintentional and perhaps, justified.”
Matt acknowledged the small woman’s courage with a squeeze of her hand. He turned to Sara. “Are you all right?”
She laid her hand on Poppy’s head and her countenance lightened. “I’m fine.”
He’d seen that look on Mary’s face in the months before her death. Like his wife, Sara had reached inside herself and shaken off all the terror and pain from the last couple of weeks. Drawing strength from a reservoir of faith only a few possessed. The knowledge, that whatever happened, God was in control.
Sara gave him a weary glance. “How much longer will this take, Matt? Maddie and the children need to rest. She blames herself for Don being shot, and insists on going to the hospital tonight.
“I’ll put the kids back to bed and ask Pete and Beatrice to stay with them. Then I’ll drive Maddie to the hospital.” She lifted the little girl into her arms and motioned for Danny to follow her.
Matt helped the boy off the cushions and set him on the floor beside her, then turned to Davis. “How much longer will you be?”
“The crew has finished filming the scene and they’re bagging the evidence. Shouldn’t be more than an hour. We’ll have to seal off the library. Any more questions we have for these ladies can wait.”
Matt stood and glanced at Sara. “I’ll be glad to drive you and Maddie to the hospital.”
“I can do it.” She pulled Poppy tighter to her chest. “Matt, Josh sent an email to himself the day he died, intending to give it to you. Cook confessed he’d witnessed Charles burying Penny’s body at the retreat. The email is on the computer in the library.”
Matt glanced over at Davis and nodded.
The detective left the room, headed to pick up the computer.
“Are you going to be all right here tonight?” Matt asked.
She smiled up at him. “We’ll be fine, now that we know we’re safe again. We just need a little time to recharge our batteries. I’ve been bombed, almost drowned, kidnapped, and nearly shot in a little over two weeks. Soon, I intend to go to my room, pull the cover over my head, and have a quiet nervous breakdown.”
Twin Falls Memorial Hospital
Don Tompkins was out of the OR, when Sara and Maddie arrived at the hospital. The bullet went through his shoulder, requiring a minimum of surgery.
Maddie eased up to Don’s bedside and took his hand. “How are you doing?”
Only a florescent tube above his bed, lit the room. Don’s face looked pale and pasty in the dim lighting. Bandages covered his shoulder, and they had placed his arm in a sling to keep him from moving it.
“Okay, I think,” he said, his voice weak and raspy.
Maddie took his hand. “I’ll stay with you until you fall asleep.”
Sara slipped from the room, closing the door softly behind her.
The immensity of God’s mercy never ceased to amaze her.
CHAPTER 34
Twin Falls Police Station
Next morning, Matt sat with his two detectives to finalize the report that would go to the district attorney on the Pryor case.
Outside the office window, low gray clouds blocked the sun. A light flurry of large white flakes drifted to the ground, leaving a fine dust of powder on the lawn.
Hunter rose and moved to the window. “Is that snow?”
Matt swiveled his chair around. “That would be my guess. However, this is Texas and it’s October. Could just be global warming.”
Hunter chuckled and sat back down.
“You have anything to add to this?” Matt handed them copies of the report and waited for the two men to finish reading. “The DA should be pleased. You guys solved two murders, three attempted murders, an explosion, and a kidnapping in record time.”
Davis scanned his copy, then stuck it into the inside pocket of his sport coat. “Looks good to me, Chief. Edwards’s confession to Sara clears up most of the details…that and the email Josh Bradford sent the evening he died.”
Matt rolled his chair back. He pulled out the bottom desk drawer and propped his feet up. “The FBI returned the results from the VMD samples McCulloch sent. They confirmed two partial prints on the jumper belonged to Edwards. It would have been nice to have received that information a week ago.”
Hunter pushed out a deep breath. “Yeah, and imagine if Mrs. Bradford had found that email four years ago, it would have saved us a ton of work and a lot of shoe leather.”
“You guys have any questions?” Matt tossed his copy of the report into his file basket.
Hunter patted the report in his pocket. “That does it for me, Chief.”
“Me too,” Davis said. “By the way, we found out where Tompkins’ money came from. Seems his father was an electronics wizard. The old man held a number of patents worth a ton of dough. He left it all to Tompkins.”
Hunter chuckled. “I should be so lucky. The only thing my old man ever invented was a beer keg that fit in the refrigerator with a nozzle through the door so he didn’t have to open it to refill his glass.”
“Maybe he should have patented it.” Davis said, laughing. “A lot of couch potatoes would buy one during football season.”
The two detectives stood and moved to the door. Matt followed them into the hallway.
Officer Stein strode down the corridor. He stopped in front of Davis,
giving him a high-five. No words were spoken. None were needed. A salute for a job well done.
That had been happening all day. A light mood filled the station. Deservedly so. They had all helped to close a difficult series of murders and sent a message to the bad guys. It might take time, but eventually justice would prevail.
There was no high quite like it.
County Court House
Two hours later, Matt drove the short distance to Gabriel Morrison’s office. Even the weather couldn’t dampen his spirits. Snow was such a novelty in this part of the country, even adults acted like kids. He would go home and crank up the fireplace as soon as he finished with Gabe. Perhaps his mood had nothing to do with snow. Could be because the past couple of weeks were behind him. Whatever the reason, he’d take it.
At the courthouse, Matt was the only person on the elevator on the ride up to the DA’s office. He exited on the third floor. People in the corridor greeted him with congratulations. He stopped midway down the hall at Gabe’s office. The secretary motioned him to go right in.
When the door closed, Matt took the chair proffered.
Morrison finished reading the report. He removed his glasses and plopped the sheaf of papers on the desk. “You should feel proud of yourself. That’s pretty remarkable police work.”
Matt shrugged, uncomfortable with the praise. “I make it a point to surround myself with smart people who make me look good.”
“Don’t be modest, Foley. It’s an outstanding piece of investigative work. In fact, you must have broken some kind of record solving a case that old, that fast.” Gabe rocked back in his chair and gave Matt his full attention. “I’ll pass it on to the Herald. Just to tick of The Terror. Maybe your boss can get you a pay increase in next year’s budget. Look at the money the city saved by not having to hold Edwards over for trial.”
“I was just along for the ride,” Matt said. “If the city is passing out raises, I’ll see they go to the detective squad. They did the work.”
“Tell me, why do you work if you don’t need to? In your position, I’d retire and play golf every day for the rest of my life.”
Matt grinned. “I don’t golf.”
“There’s got to be more to it than that,” Gabe said.
“I like my job. One man can’t save the world, but I like to think I make a difference in my little corner. I felt a calling into law enforcement, to protect society from a lot of evil people.
“We create our own monsters. And all too often, a flawed justice system finds loopholes and lets them back on the streets. But occasionally, the rule of law prevails, as with this case. That makes it all worthwhile.”
“You’re preaching to the choir. I met Marnie Edwards socially a number of times. Even now, I can’t think of her as a killer. It’s difficult to believe someone of her background could be part of this sordid mess.”
“It is hard to believe. But consider the agony she put the Pryor family through for all those years by not admitting her guilt.”
Gabe shifted in his chair and nodded. “What have you done about her?”
“That’s your call. She’s still in hospice, in the last stages of bone cancer. When she heard about Charles, she went into a coma. Soon, she’ll stand before a much higher authority than you or me.”
CHAPTER 35
County Court House
The week before Christmas, Detective Miles Davis and his partner filed out of the courtroom with the rest of the crowd. They’d finished testifying before a grand jury on a new case and were on their way to lunch. Davis leaned over the rail and looked down on the atrium that stretched from the ground floor to the roof. Dressed in her seasonal finery, the Christmas season showed off the courthouse to its best advantage. The atrium, a postcard of holiday splendor. An enormous tree soared to the third floor where he and Hunter stood.
White lights sparkled, showcasing the large red ornaments and bows that were the tree’s only decorations. Familiar holiday music whispered over the intercom, adding a festive atmosphere to the magical spirit of the season.
As they headed downstairs, Davis spotted Maddie Jamison in a small group near the elevators. She held an animated conversation with a much-improved Elsie Kaufman and a man he recognized as Todd Hastings.
Davis caught Maddie’s eye and she waved them over. “Gentlemen, I believe you have met my friends, Elsie and her son-in-law, Todd.”
Hastings’ charming wife was nowhere in sight.
“What brings you folks into the halls of justice?” Davis asked as he gripped Hastings’s hand.
Maddie put her arm around Elsie’s shoulder. “The judge released Elsie from Serene Acres two days ago, and just freed her from Dora’s guardianship. Isn’t that wonderful news?”
Maddie’s blue eyes sparkled. “I took your advice and contacted Todd. He’s been very helpful as you suggested he might be.”
Hunter turned to Hastings. “How did Mrs. Hastings take the good news?”
He chuckled and rocked back on his heels. “She took it quite well, for Dora, after she understood I’d made up my mind. I explained she could either live in the home I provided for her, or she would need to find a place of her own.”
Elsie turned to Davis. “You two must come to lunch after I get settled back in. You are welcome anytime you’re in the neighborhood.”
He and Hunter departed after hugs from the ladies and a handshake with Todd Hastings. When the elevator doors closed, Davis shot his partner a sideways glance. “Well, go ahead and say I told you so.”
A broad smiled crossed Hunter’s face. “Consider it said.” He raised his right hand high in the air. Miles Davis hesitated for only a moment before he struck Hunter’s hand with a resounding smack.
Twin Falls Police Station
Matt looked at the papers on his desk without really seeing them.
Blain had stopped by earlier in the afternoon to bring him a preview of the Texas Tattler Magazine. His father-in-law had used his connections to obtain a galley copy.
Pepper Parker had indeed poured out her vitriol on paper. She hinted Matt and Sara had an affair while Mary was dying of cancer. That Matt covered up Sara’s involvement in her husband’s death and framed Charles Edwards for the crime.
The Tattler had pushed back the release date to February, so the rag’s attorneys could test the waters against a potential libel suit.
Matt rubbed his finger across his bottom lip. Smart move. Because the minute the publisher decided to run the story, the magazine would find itself defending a civil lawsuit for slander. Nothing he could do until then.
He pushed his chair back and put on his jacket. Darkness had fallen when he stepped into the brisk evening air. After locking the outer door he moved towards his SUV. Lucy Turner’s blue Ford Escort sat in the parking lot, the back towards him. A quick glance told him she was just sitting in the car, no lights, with the engine running.
He strode forward. She might have car trouble. As he neared, the sound of muffled sobs echoed through the window, her head was pressed against her hands on the steering wheel.
He tapped on the glass with his knuckle. “You okay, Lucy?”
She gave an angry swipe at her eyes and glared at him. “No, I’m just fine. Can’t you tell? I always have a good cry at the end of my shift.”
Unapproachable. Definitely unapproachable. “Can I help? I’m a good listener.”
“You could never identify with my problems, Mr. Rich Man.”
“Try me. Open the passenger door. It’s cold out here.”
The lock clicked as he walked around the Escort. He opened the door and slid in beside her. Cigarette smoke and the smell of greasy fast food greeted him. The seat covers were frayed, but the interior was clean.
He waited for her to speak.
Coldly, her gaze met his. Unattractive mascara rivulets ran down her otherwise pretty face. “Is this part of your job description, Chief? Stepping down from your lofty perch to comfort the little people?”
&
nbsp; He watched her, perplexed. What was wrong with the woman? She was obviously upset, but why with him? To his knowledge, he’d done nothing to warrant her ire. He removed a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her. “I’m not the enemy, Lucy. I’d just like to help if I can.”
The handkerchief only smeared the mascara over her cheeks. She blew her nose and handed the cloth back to him. When she spoke, her voice was tight. “You spend your off hours with people like the governor. This job is just a hobby to you. But it’s not to me. It’s my lifeblood. I’m always one paycheck away from being homeless. Are you sure you want to leave your perfect little world and find out how jacked-up mine is?”
He could see she was struggling not to cry. “I’m sorry if I’ve offended you...”
“How could you possibly offend me?” She gave a bitter laugh. “You don’t even know I’m alive. I’m just one of the minions who populate your fiefdom.”
“No one’s life is perfect, Lucy, least of all mine. I don’t intend to fight the culture war with you. But if you’ll tell me what’s really bothering you, I’ll try to help.”
She fumbled in her handbag for a pack of cigarettes and pulled out a long filter tip. After lighting it with a cheap lighter, she inhaled and blew the smoke towards the roof like a kettle releasing pent-up steam. “Okay, I don’t want to keep you awake at night, but you asked for it.”
With a light tap on the power button, he vented the window, letting some of the smoke escape.
She brought the cigarette to her lips again. He recognized it as a delay tactic to gather her thoughts. She raised one hand and numbered off her problems. “The tires on this car you’re sitting in are bald as a bowling ball.” Her voice caught. “I wanted to take the boys to Oklahoma for Christmas but I don’t dare make the trip on these tires.”
One finger folded down. “The heating/air conditioning unit in my house bit the dust a month ago. I’m using space heaters to keep the house warm. And, yes, I know how dangerous they are. Never mind what it will do to my electric bill.”
Killer Reads: A Collection of the Best in Inspirational Suspense Page 50