Hazard in the Horoscope

by Kari Lee Townsend

  “This is what’s up.” Cole reached into his drawer and pulled out his 9-millimeter hand gun and set it on his desk.

  “Wait, I don’t get it,” I said. “If someone was trying to set you up, then why would they return the murder weapon?”

  “Because it’s not the murder weapon,” Cole said, inspecting the gun. “It hasn’t been fired in years. Not by me or anyone else.”

  “I’ll take it to the station and have it tested, but this is great news, Cole.” Mitch bagged the gun. “It will clear your name.”

  “What about the real murderer?” Cole asked. “I heard that Burrows’ gun wasn’t used to kill Gunther.”

  “Someone who owns a 9-millimeter handgun killed Gunther, then stole your gun and tried to frame you.”

  “The question is who and why?” I asked.

  “That’s what I intend to find out.”

  “Another thing,” Cole said. “Cathy hasn’t shown up yet today, and she’s always here before me.”

  “Maybe she’s sick like Zack. I thought he had an allergic reaction, but maybe it’s food poisoning. Although, no one else got sick from Jo’s chili,” I said.

  “It’s neither of those. I didn’t have a chance to tell you yet,” Mitch looked at me, “but I talked to the doctor at the hospital. Zack was poisoned.”

  “Poisoned?” Cole’s eyebrows shot sky high.

  “The tavern was packed with people who live here as well as out of towners. Anyone could have slipped something into his bowl. But why Zack?”

  “I have no clue, but I don’t have a good feeling about Cathy not showing up.” A muscle in Cole’s cheek tightened. “She didn’t call in sick, and I called the hospital just before you got here. Miles said she left after visiting hours like he did, but she hasn’t shown up there this morning yet.”

  “Do you think the murderer is targeting people close to you?” Mitch asked.

  “It sure looks that way.” Cole made a fist.

  “Let’s rule out all the places Cathy could be before you go off half-cocked and wind up in trouble again. Got it?” Mitch gave Cole a warning look.

  Cole nodded and relaxed his fist.

  “First things first. Let’s check in with everyone,” I said. “Something tells me this nightmare isn’t over with yet.”

  “This is insane,” Jo said. She sat at a table in Smokey Jo’s. “Can’t anything good ever happen? We finally clear Cole’s name, yet we’re still in danger.”

  “It will all be okay.” Zoe took her hand. “You need to go back home and rest, Jo. You heard what the doctor said.”

  “I feel helpless not doing anything.”

  “You are doing something. You’re taking care of your babies,” I said.

  “I’m not going anywhere,” Sean said. “I promise I won’t let anything happen to any of you or the babies.”

  “I just can’t believe Zack was poisoned,” Miles said, worry lines creasing his brow. “The only good thing is by staying in the hospital he can finally detox. He’s been addicted to pain killers for years because of his war injuries.”

  “That poor guy,” I said. “And now Cathy’s missing? Who’s next?”

  “We’re not going to sit back and find out,” Cole said.

  “Count me in.” Miles stood. “What do you have planned?”

  “Nothing without me.” Detective Stone walked in at that moment. He’d been gone since leaving the construction office with Cole’s gun. “Sean, you stay with the ladies and man the bar. Zoe, you look after Jo. Cole and Miles, you’re coming with me.”

  “And me.” I jumped up, ready for the mission at hand.

  “Not a chance, Tink.”

  “From what we’ve just discovered, this murder investigation is still ongoing. Captain Walker said divide and conquer. Since you don’t want me investigating on my own, then you have no choice but to let me join you.”

  Mitch rubbed his temples and shrugged. “In some odd way, that made sense. Or I’ve simply lost my mind. Either way, I don’t have time to think on it. The first forty-eight hours someone’s missing is critical in getting them back. Let’s move out.”

  I grabbed my coat and led the way out the door before Grumpy Pants could change his mind.

  We’d searched the town, made calls for any place she might have gone to out of town, and then turned to the woods. After looking for hours, Cole stopped abruptly and bent down to inspect the ground.

  “Wait. These are footprints.” Cole bent closer to the ground. “It snowed a little last night, so the tracks are fresh. Looks like two sets of prints with one set being bigger than the others.”

  Miles joined him. “This brings back memories of when you, Zack, and I used to track deer.” He smiled a little along with Cole, then they both grew serious as he inspected the ground as well. “You’re right.” He followed the tracks with his gaze and then pointed off in the distance. “Looks like they lead to that cabin over there.”

  Mitch stepped in front of us all. “Stay close.” He motioned for me to get behind him. I gladly complied, more than happy for once to let him take the lead. Being in charge was overrated, I decided, as I rubbed my wounded shoulder.

  “There’s a light on,” I said as we drew close. I frowned, the first seed of doubt taking root. “The killer could still be in there.”

  We crept forward slowly so as not to alert the killer if he was in the cabin still. Mitch scanned the area and then peeked in the window. He motioned for us to stay to the side out of danger in case the killer had a gun.

  “Police, open up.”

  Nothing.

  “Police, open up,” Mitch repeated.

  Still nothing.

  He drew his weapon and carefully reached for the door handle. It wasn’t locked. He turned the nob and swung the door open, then did a sweep of the cabin before returning to the door. “All clear. Cathy’s here alone.” He slid his gun back in its holster and stood aside so we could enter.

  I rushed over to Cathy and started to untie her hands. Her eyes were huge, and she shook her head no. As soon as I touched her, I froze. My eyes narrowed into tunnel vision like they always did when I picked up a reading, the present fading away.

  Zack broke into Cole and Jo’s house, and Cathy was right behind him.

  “You don’t have to do this, Zack,” Cathy said.

  “I don’t have a choice. I need the drugs,” Zack replied. “The pain is unbearable without them.”

  “There has to be another way,” she pleaded, sounding desperate.

  “There’s not. That’s why I didn’t want to get close to you. I tried to think of anything else I could do, but I’m in too deep.”

  “Well, it’s too late. You’re stuck with me. I’m not letting you go down alone.” She opened the safe and took out Cole’s gun. “I’ll take care of hiding it. You do the rest.”

  I jerked my hands away and gasped, blinking back to my normal vision. My whole body shook. I’d felt his pain and finally understood what Morty had been trying to tell me with his limping and stumbling about as if he were on drugs. He’d been pointing me toward Zack all along, but I’d missed his cues. My gaze settled on Cathy. Tears welled in her eyes, her hands still tied and mouth still duct-taped. I couldn’t believe either one of them would betray Cole this way.

  “Cathy stole your gun and hid it,” I said, turning to face Cole. This was going to tear him apart. “I saw it all.” I closed my eyes for a moment and whispered Morty’s name. I wasn’t sure what the extent of my abilities were, I just knew we were connected. He’d come every time before when I was in danger or hurt. I was hoping he would feel me and know I needed him more than ever.

  “What?” Miles gaped at me as my words registered, then he turned accusing eyes on Cathy.

  “Cathy? How? Why?” Cole asked, looking stunned and then devastated. “I don’t understand.”

  “She didn’t work alone,” I clarified, knowing this next part was going to hurt. “Zack was with her. He was in bad shape. He killed
Gunther for drug money.”

  “That’s crazy,” Miles shook his head.

  “Wait a minute. Then why return the gun?” Mitch asked, always the voice of reason when emotions were running high. “This doesn’t make sense. And Zack didn’t poison himself.” He walked over to Cathy and took off the duct tape. “Care to fill in the blanks?”

  Her tear-filled eyes turned to rage as she looked beyond him. “Why don’t you ask Cole’s brother-in-law.”

  We all turned around to find Miles holding a 9-millimeter gun on us.

  “Miles?” Cole sputtered.

  “Ex-brother-in-law,” Miles ground out. “Zack didn’t kill Gunther. I did.”

  I sucked in a breath. That’s why my nails had dug into Cole’s arm over his Three-Musketeer tattoo. And Miles had said over and over not to worry, that justice would prevail. I’d had no idea he’d been talking about wanting justice himself.

  “You? Why?” Cole sounded broken.

  “You killed my sister,” Miles sneered, looking deranged. “She’ll never have babies. She was my only sibling. My best friend.” His voice hitched. “Your new wife’s babies should be hers. They should be my nieces or nephews.”

  “Why not just kill me and be done with it?” Cole said devastated.

  “I wanted you to suffer for years like I have.” The pain in Miles’ eyes was burning bright, making him irrational. “I wanted you behind bars, missing out on your babies growing up and losing your wife like I lost my sister.”

  “Then why did I see Zack steal the gun and Cathy hide it?” I asked, confused. My visions always came true, but sometimes it took a bit to understand what they meant.

  “Miles was Zack’s supplier. He had him right where he wanted him. Zack was so afraid Miles would cut him off, that he would do whatever he wanted,” Cathy said. “I’m so sorry, Cole. I had to help him, but neither one of us could live with ourselves. Zack was going to come forward at the chili festival, but Miles poisoned his bowl when he was helping Jo out. I visited Zack in the hospital, and he begged me to return Cole’s gun to clear his name. Zack knew he was going to stay in the hospital to detox once and for all so he could finally be free of Miles, but Miles figured it out and kidnapped me to draw you all here.”

  “That’s right. You and Zack ruined my plans. You’re traitors. Now you all have to pay.” Miles lifted his gun. “A dead Cole is better than nothing.”

  “You can’t shoot in every direction at once, Miles,” Mitch said, his eyes locking with Cole’s briefly then settling back onto Miles. “One of us will get to you before you’re done. You won’t make it out of here alive.”

  “I don’t care if I die.” He moved his gun to Cole. “So long as he dies first.”

  Sirens wailed off in the distance. Miles turned his head toward the window, looking startled. Cole took two steps and dove. Miles turned back, his eyes wide and crazy as he pulled the trigger. Cole hit the underside of his arm at the last second and the bullet lodged into the wooden roof of the cabin. Cole flattened Miles to the floor with a tight grip on the wrist of the hand which still held the gun. Cole balled his free hand into a fist, landing a right hook to Miles’ jaw. He pulled back for another swing but the burning anger in his eyes faded to sorrow as he stared down at Miles, both men breathing hard.

  “You’re my brother, man,” Cole whispered, and hung his head. “Why can’t you see I loved her too? So very much.” He sniffed back the memory, shaking his head. “A part of me died when I lost her. I lost myself to that darkness, man. I didn’t care what happened. And then I found Jo. There will never be another Faith. But Jo has believed in me and showed me I’m capable of loving and being loved. She’s making me a father.” He leaned closer to Miles’ face and we all stood in silence watching it play out, moved by Cole’s truthful confession. “The only one who would have suffered from your actions are those three innocent people. But you never thought of that, did you? Faith would be so disappointed.”

  A brief moment of regret flashed across Miles’ face before he looked away, unable to speak.

  Mitch sprang into action, securing Miles’ gun and putting the cuffs on him. He pulled Cole off of him and squeezed his shoulder. “It’s over, buddy. It’s finally over.”

  Acknowledgments

  As always to my amazing family for supporting me and allowing me to do what I love for a living. A special thank you to Oliver Heber Books for taking a chance on me and Dar Albert for creating the most amazing covers. I’m having a blast!

  Epilogue

  Two weeks later, Winterfest was over, and life went on.

  All the murders had been solved, the tourists had moved on, and life was back to normal. Miles was arrested and deemed mentally ill. He was finally getting the help he needed, which Cole was happy about. No matter what Miles had done, Cole had forgiven him, saying he would still always be his brother. And Jo supported Cole in any decision he made, no matter what.

  Zack was fully detoxed and released from the hospital. Cole refused to press charges over Zack stealing his gun and Cathy hiding it. He was glad Zack had found a way to get off drugs, and he understood why Cathy did what she did. Cole would do anything to help his family. Cathy understood that Cole couldn’t have her work for him anymore. She and Zack decided to leave Divinity for a fresh start together this time.

  The inn was fully open and operational, and I had decided having my parents around wasn’t so bad after all. Family. That was what life was all about. After nearly losing my own life, I had reflected on what was most important to me. Even if I never had children, I still had a family, and Mitch was the biggest part of that.

  We sat by the fire in our living room, staring at the flames, comfortable in the silence between us. I think we were both just happy to be together. It was finally time to have that talk we’d both been putting off for so long, but I wasn’t afraid anymore. I knew no matter what, I wanted a future with Mitch.

  “Mitch, I—”

  “Sunny, I—”

  We spoke at the same time and laughed.

  “Ladies first,” he said, but I never got the chance to speak.

  The phone rang.

  I bit my lip, trying to ignore it, but couldn’t stop bouncing in my seat barely able to sit still.

  Mitch smiled softly. “Go ahead. Answer it. You know you want to.”

  “Really? Are you sure?”

  “Yes. Everything else can wait.”

  “I love you!” I kissed him soundly on the mouth, then bolted to the phone on the table. “Hello?” I paced back and forth, grinning like an idiot, but I couldn’t help myself. “Oh, that’s so amazing, Cole. I’m so excited for you both.” My gaze met Mitch’s, and he nodded without me even having to ask the question. “Yes, we’ll be right there.”

  Ten minutes later, we pulled up to Divinity Hospital. The car wasn’t even parked before I bolted out the door. For once my big detective with twice my stride had to hurry to keep up with me. We checked in at the front desk then made our way to the maternity ward, where we met Jo and Cole outside the nursery room window. Like most twins, they were born early and being observed, but Cole had said they were healthy and bigger than most.

  I expected no less from the sasquatch.

  I took one look through the window and my heart burst into a million pieces. Two beautiful blue bassinets were side-by-side, right in front. The babies were identical and the spitting image of Cole, with their mama’s fiery red hair and spirit, based on the squalling going on. Nothing had ever sounded better to me. I wrapped my arms around Jo and gave her the biggest hug, while Mitch shook Cole’s hand.

  Tears were running down both our faces when I pulled back to look my best friend in the eyes. “You did it, Mama.”

  “I did, didn’t I?” She had love written all over her face.

  “You look great,” I added.

  “I feel like I’ve been run over by two tanks, but I’m so happy.”

  “Congrats, man.” Mitch clapped Cole on the shoulder.
r />   Cole beamed as he handed him a cigar, and Mitch put it in his pocket for later. “We have something we want to ask you guys,” Cole said.

  “Ask away.” I smiled. “We’d do anything for you guys. I hope you know that by now.”

  Cole looked at Jo. “You do the honors, honey.”

  “We want you two to be the godparents of the twins,” Jo’s voice cracked when she spoke, filled with emotion. “We can’t think of anyone who would do a better job of raising our boys if anything were to ever happen to us.”

  “Yes,” I said without hesitation, knowing this was probably as close as I would ever get to being a mother. My heart was achingly full.

  “Of course,” Mitch said a moment later, looking terrified.

  We didn’t say anything more about that as we all went back to Jo’s room and stayed for a while to visit. When she began to tire, we took our leave. We had just climbed into Mitch’s truck, when I turned to him and said, “May first.”

  “What about May first?” He looked confused as he started the truck, turning on the heat and putting the truck in gear.

  “That’s our wedding date.”

  He paused for a moment, staring straight ahead, and then he put the truck back in park. He looked me in the eye. “You picked a wedding date?”

  “Yes.”

  “Just like that?”

  I nodded. “Just like that.”

  “Without checking your horoscope charts?”

  “No need.”

  “Why?” He looked skeptical.

  “I would marry you on any day at any time. I’ve realized there are things in my life I can live without, but there is only one thing I can’t live without. And that’s you. I love you more than life itself, Mitchel Stone. So, Grumpy Pants, will you marry me on May first?”