The moment I heard that detail, I was glad that David was gunning it over to the cemetery. With a little bit of luck, we could arrive at the cemetery and speak with Mark while he was still standing in front of his brother’s headstone.
Thankfully, timing seemed to be on our side that morning. When we arrived at the cemetery, Mark was still standing at his brother’s grave.
David didn’t waste any time getting right down to business. “Mark, what a curious place to find you.”
At first, Mark was startled by our presence. His facial expression then quickly changed to one of annoyance. “You two have a lot of nerve showing up here.”
“May I remind you, this is a public place,” David said.
Mark scowled. “It’s also a resting place. Not somewhere designed to stir up trouble.”
“I assure you, we’re not looking for trouble,” David said.
Mark folded his arms. “Do you really expect me to believe that?”
“We’re just interested in discovering the truth.”
“I already told you everything I know. Which is nothing. Now leave me in peace.”
David shook his head. “I don’t know why you’d think that you can give us orders.”
Mark had another complaint that he wanted to get off of his chest. “I can’t believe you followed me.”
“That shouldn’t be surprising to you,” David said. “After all, you’re a murder suspect.”
“For the last time, I had nothing to do with Denise’s death,” Mark replied.
“You keep saying that. Yet your actions continue to be suspicious.”
Mark threw out his arms. “What are you talking about? I’m just visiting my brother’s grave.”
“I realize that. It’s just the timing of this visit is very interesting.”
Mark gave David a blank stare. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“I find that hard to believe. But if you insist on playing dumb, I’ll spell it out for you. It is one thing to visit a family member’s grave on a birthday or anniversary. It’s another to come here the day after we interviewed you about Denise’s murder.”
“I just miss my brother. That’s all.”
“So the fact that you blame Denise for your brother’s death has nothing to do with this?” David asked. “And how about the fact that Denise turned up dead shortly after being acquitted of murdering your brother?”
Mark narrowed his eyes. “You’re reading too far into things.”
David put his hands on his hips. “Are we?”
“Leave me alone,” Mark snapped.
“What’s the matter? Are we hitting a little too close to the bone?” I asked.
“You have nothing on me and you know it. Now stay away from me.” Mark began to walk away.
My initial instinct was to not let him get away.
I turned to David and whispered, “My gut is telling me that Mark is responsible for Denise’s death.”
David whispered back, “Is your gut telling you where we can find proof of that?”
I bit the corner of my lip as I searched my thoughts. A few seconds later, my eyes widened. “Actually, now that you mention it, I do have an idea.
“What is it?” David asked.
“I’ll tell you in a minute. Right now, I need to do something first,” I said.
I sprinted toward the parking lot to catch up with Mark.
“You can run but you can’t hide from the truth,” I yelled.
Mark whirled around with fire in his eyes. “I told you to leave me alone.”
I refused to let myself be intimidated by him. Instead, I went right at him. “That’s not going to happen,” I said.
“Stop harassing me,” he snapped.
I shrugged. “What’s the matter? Are things getting a little too hot under your collar?”
“You have no right to talk to me this way.”
“I have a right to find out the truth. And that’s exactly what I’m going to do,” I said. “Mark my words. I’m not giving up until Denise’s killer is behind bars.”
“Why don’t you go bother someone else?” he asked.
“Because I believe that you’re responsible for her death. Not only that, but I’m going to do everything in my power to bring you to justice. And there’s nothing you can do to stop me.”
He shot me a glare. “I’d be careful if I were you.”
I threw out my arms. “Why? What are you going to do to me?”
Mark sneered and then turned around in a huff. “This conversation is over.”
At that point, I let Mark head back to his car alone.
While Mark was eager to leave the cemetery, I walked over to David.
My husband’s forehead wrinkled as he addressed me, “What was that?”
“It’s all part of my new plan,” I said.
David’s eyebrows rose. “Would you mind explaining this plan of yours?”
I nodded. “Sure. Once we get back in the car.”
Chapter Thirteen
The rest of the morning and afternoon went by without incident. When nightfall came, David and I returned home. But while I headed inside our house, David’s presence was required elsewhere. He fired up the siren of his squad car, backed out of the driveway, and booked it down the street.
Once I was inside, I was greeted by my corgi. I immediately led him to the back door and let him out so he could do his business in our fenced-in yard.
From there, I headed into the kitchen.
When I opened my fridge, I began asking myself what I could heat up for dinner. Before I could settle on anything, I heard the doorbell ring. As I reached the front door, I opened it. That was when I saw a big surprise waiting for me.
Mark Carlisle stood on my front porch, looking as angry as ever.
My eyes widened. “Mark, what are you doing here?”
“I warned you not to mess with me, but you didn’t listen. Now you’re going to pay,” Mark said. He then reached into his jacket and pulled out a gun.
“You’re even crazier than I thought,” I said.
He shook his head. “No. I’m just someone who is doing what needs to be done.”
“I can’t believe this,” I said. “Isn’t it enough that you killed Denise? You’re actually going to shoot me too?”
“You know, things weren’t supposed to turn out this way. Denise should have gone to jail. If the jury had just done their job, she would be in prison right now. But since the jury failed to make the correct ruling, I had to take matters into my own hands,” he said.
“I disagree.”
He stared me down. “I don’t care what you think.”
“Mark, you don’t have to shoot me,” I said.
“That’s where you’re wrong. You backed me into a corner. And when you did that, you left me with no choice.”
I shook my head. “You always have a choice—”
“Stop right there. I’m done arguing,” he said.
“You’re not going to get away with this,” I said.
He snickered. “Sure I am.”
“Do you really think you can just shoot me and not face any consequences?”
He nodded. “Absolutely. I’ll just stage your death to look like a burglary gone wrong. By the time I’m done here, the police won’t be able to tie anything back to me.”
“You have it all planned out, don’t you?” I asked.
“I do,” he said. “Now, do you have any last words?”
I nodded and then smiled at him. “You fell right into our trap.”
Mark’s nose scrunched. “What trap?”
Right then, Mark’s eyebrows rose as he felt the cold steel of a police pistol being pressed against the back of his head.
“Drop the gun,” David demanded.
Mark’s forehead wrinkled. “Detective? But you’re supposed to be out on a call. I saw you speed away with your siren on.”
“That was all a ruse,” David said. “Part of our
plan.”
“As was that last conversation I had with you back in the cemetery. I wanted to put the pressure on you,” I said. “And it worked. You were so worried about the walls closing in on you that you made a desperate move. But this was all staged. We knew you were following us. So when David pulled into the driveway, I told him to drive off in a hurry with his siren blaring.”
“In reality, though, I only went around the block. I then waited for you to make a move. The moment I saw you approach the front door, I came right back here to catch you in the act,” David said.
“I can’t believe you played me like that,” Mark said.
“I don’t care what you believe. All I care about is justice being served,” David said. “Now put the gun down.”
Mark took a deep breath, but he didn’t follow David’s orders.
“Don’t make me shoot you,” David said.
Mark grimaced, but continued pointing his gun at me.
“Down. Now!” David demanded. “I’m not going to ask again.”
Thankfully, Mark obeyed David’s command and reluctantly put his gun down.
With the threat averted, I unzipped my jacket, revealing the bulletproof vest that I had been wearing all along.
Meanwhile, David handcuffed and dragged Mark out to his squad car.
Chapter Fourteen
In my experience, there was no such thing as an easy murder investigation. Even so, this one was particularly difficult. I felt like I just got done riding an emotional rollercoaster.
Thankfully, I was finally able to catch my breath. And not a moment too soon. The weight I had been carrying around had taken a real toll on me. It wasn’t the sort of thing that was forgotten easily. So instead of immediately moving on, I found myself slowly processing all that had just occurred in the last few days.
While I stared off into the distance, trying to get my bearings back, David tried to lighten the mood a little with a joke.
“Just another quiet week in Treasure Cove, huh?” my husband said.
I was so caught up in my thoughts that I didn’t respond to him.
“Sabrina, you can relax. It’s over,” David said.
I took a deep breath. “I hope you’re right.”
He threw out his arms. “What do you mean, you hope? You don’t know?”
“Don’t get me wrong. I’m relieved that Denise’s killer is behind bars. But with this town, you never really know what’s going to happen next.”
He grimaced. “Don’t say that.”
“Sorry. It’s just a force of habit after everything we’ve been through.”
His muscles were incredibly tense as he replied, “You don’t have some crazy instinct about a new threat on the horizon, do you?”
I shook my head.
He exhaled. “Good. There’s only so much insanity I can take in a short period of time.”
“You’re telling me. After all, that was a close one.”
“It sure was. Which is all the more reason to appreciate this moment.”
“I’d love to be able to do that. Unfortunately, a part of me keeps wondering what’s going to happen next?”
“If I were you, I wouldn’t ask the universe that question.”
I took a deep breath. “I suppose you’re right. So, what now then?”
“I don’t know about you, but there’s only two things on my schedule. A little bit of rest and a whole lot of relaxation.”
I held my pointer finger up. “Now there’s a killer combo for you.”
He grimaced. “I’m not sure if that is the best phrasing.”
“It sure isn’t. Yikes. Time for less talking and more relaxing.”
“That works for me,” he said. “Honestly, I’m ready for nothing but relaxing.”
“I like the sound of that.”
He smiled. “I figured you would. And maybe if we both pray hard enough, it will happen.”
“I’ll certainly do my part.”
“So will I,” he said. “By the way, do you know what goes well with rest and relaxation?”
My eyes lit up. “Are you going to say a shoulder rub?”
“No. Although, that’s a great answer.”
“Does that mean you’ll give me a massage?”
“Sure.”
I gazed deep into his eyes. “Just when I thought I couldn’t love you more than I already do.”
“I love you too,” he replied.
“Before I get too caught up thinking about massages, what were you going to say back there?”
“That I believe we still have some leftover brownies at home,” David said. “I don’t know about you, but I could really go for a sweet treat right about now.”
I nodded. “I can’t think of a more delicious way to end the day. Chocolate, here we come.”
The End.
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