“You’re better off going to trial.” Wally didn’t budge. “Here, you end up dead. With a trial, you have a chance to get off.”
Skye realized that Phillip had no intention of letting Guy go and had been squirming his way toward the edge of the roof, clearly hoping to buck Wally over the side. With Phillip’s attention on Wally and Guy, Skye eased from behind the planter and sprinted toward the three men.
Surprise was on her side and just before Phillip reached the roof’s edge, Skye reached her quarry. Aiming the pepper spray, Skye emptied the contents of the can directly into Phillip’s shocked face.
He shrieked in pain, immediately releasing Guy to bring both hands to his burning eyes. Wally pried the gun and detonator from his fingers, gave them to Skye, and reached for his handcuffs.
As Wally secured a screaming Phillip, he winked at Skye and said, “Good thing we got you a new can of pepper spray after the tornado.”
Epilogue
Cradle of Love
With Paige Myler’s murder solved, Skye and Wally had decided to spend Saturday at the Scumble River Recreation Club. They’d packed a picnic basket, bundled up the twins, and headed out early before the phone could start ringing. Although the weather was too cold to swim at the beach, there were plenty of scenic picnic spots and walking paths that wound around the various lakes.
It had been a busy four days for Wally, and Skye was glad that the case against Phillip Myler was finally in the hands of the Stanley County State’s Attorney. Because Phillip had committed crimes in two different counties, there had been quite a bit of discussion as to how his arrest and charges would be handled.
Eventually, it was decided that because the assault and kidnapping of Guy Glenn and his administrative assistant that took place in Bloomer County was a continuation of Phillip’s crime in Stanley County, Stanley would take primary jurisdiction on the matter. Phillip’s attorney was now in the process of attempting to arrange a plea bargain that would include consolidating the charges and reducing kidnapping to unlawful imprisonment.
However, whatever was negotiated, Phillip Myler would be in prison for a good long time.
As Wally drove the Hummer down one of the rec club’s dirt roads, Skye tried not to notice the black SUV following them, but when she couldn’t keep it in any longer, she jerked her thumb over her shoulder and said, “Is that really necessary today?”
Wally blew out a resigned breath. “Probably not, but they’re just doing their job.”
Carson had talked Wally and Skye into allowing him to put a security team on the babies beyond just the nanny surveillance. He’d emphasized that his men were among the best in the country and that Skye wouldn’t even be aware of their presence most of the time.
When Skye had expressed her doubts, Carson had pointed out that there had been a team on him since his arrival in Scumble River and that she’d never even known it.
“Why don’t you have to have guards?” Skye asked Wally. “Isn’t Carson’s son just as likely to be abducted as his grandchildren?”
“I did until I graduated from college, then I said no more. It’s also why I didn’t try to persuade you to have security.” Wally took her hand. “But the twins would be a much easier target than an adult.”
“I guess.” Skye squeezed his fingers, then let go and pointed to a place up ahead of them. “Let’s park there. This path leads around Votta Lake and there’s a picnic table about halfway.”
Skye had worked summers as a lifeguard at the rec club both in high school and later when she first returned home to take the job of the district school psychologist. She had a good map of the club’s property in her head and this was her favorite paved trail.
It took them several minutes to settle the twins in their stroller and pack what they needed for their picnic in the basket underneath, but at last they started down the path. They had only gone a few steps when Skye heard a familiar voice.
Fighting to keep a smile on her face—this was supposed to be family time—Skye turned and said, “Trixie, what a surprise.”
Skye’s friend, dressed in camo and hiking boots, emerged from the surrounding trees, her husband, Owen, a few feet behind her. Both carried bows and other hunting gear.
“We decided to try our luck this morning for a whitetail.” Trixie squatted down and said hello to the twins, then jumped back up. “But we didn’t get one.” Her voice didn’t sound all that disappointed.
“This area of the club is posted as no hunting,” Skye said, hoping she didn’t sound as appalled as she felt. The idea of arrows flying near the walking paths scared the dickens out of her.
“We know that.” Owen scowled. “But Trixie wanted to take a shortcut back to the truck.”
“Oh. Well, that’s good.” Skye smiled, then tried to edge away. “We should let you guys go. You’re probably tired.”
“Not at all.” Trixie put down the equipment she was carrying. “Hey.” She zeroed in on Wally. “What can you tell me about the Paige Myler case?”
“We’ve apprehended her husband, and he’s been charged with the crime.” Wally’s answer was succinct, making it clear he didn’t want to discuss the matter.
“How did he manage the whole thing?” Trixie wasn’t one who took a hint.
“He waited until there wasn’t anyone in the gaming lounge Sunday evening, then he planted the explosive,” Skye answered for her husband.
Wally had related the details to Skye and told her which ones she could reveal.
“Then he just waited until Monday night to set it off?” Trixie bounced from foot to foot.
“Yep.” Skye had to smile at her friend’s enthusiasm. “He drove back to Normalton, then returned to Scumble River the next evening. He’d been watching Paige and knew she usually went to the bowling alley to gamble around eight, so he made sure he was there by seven.”
“The area near Bunny Lanes is deserted that time of night, so he set up camp and waited until he saw Paige go inside.” Wally, evidently resigned to rehashing the case for Trixie, added, “We found a camping stool and a survival blanket in the back of his Range Rover, which is why our witness thought the guy loitering around the bowling alley was short, squat, and covered with silver scales. Why he had a blanket on when the weather was so warm, I have no idea.”
“I know you guys heard him confess down in Normalton,” Owen said. “But do you have any other proof?”
Flashing Trixie’s husband a look of surprise since Owen wasn’t normally interested in this kind of stuff, Skye answered, “Once the police knew where to look and were able to get warrants, there was quite a bit of evidence pointing to him.”
Wally added, “Myler claimed he’d never been in Scumble River prior to his visit to the PD after his wife’s murder, but it turns out that a very distinctive SUV that I saw parked in front of the florist the Monday afternoon before the blast was his. Also, he was trained to handle explosives when he served in the army.”
Skye took over and said, “Plus, there were a ton of calls and texts made from his cell to Paige’s phones. The messages were all yelling at her about the debt she’d put on their joint credit cards and threatening to kill her if she didn’t return the money she’d drained from their bank accounts before she left him.”
Apparently having had enough, Wally jumped in before anyone could ask another question and said, “We need to get going. We want to reach the picnic area before the twins need to be fed.”
“Okay.” Trixie rolled her eyes. “I get it. You want to be alone with your wife and kids.”
She hugged Skye and the men shook hands. Then the two couples exchanged goodbyes and went their own ways.
Once they were a good distance away, Skye said, “Phew. I love Trixie and Owen, but I didn’t want to have to invite them to share our lunch.”
Wally slipped his arm around Skye’s waist and they pushed
the stroller together. “I figured I’d better get us moving before you caved in and asked them to join us.”
Taking their time and pausing for frequent pictures of the scenery and the babies, they reached the lake an hour later. Immediately after unpacking the cooler, they sat down to feed the twins, who had started to fuss.
Skye and Wally were just finishing changing the twins’ diapers and settling them back in the stroller when a plump figure in a blue cape came marching briskly down the path toward them.
Wally swore and hurriedly stepped in front of Skye and the babies. He glanced at the security team who sat at another picnic table a few feet away and gestured that he had things under control.
Skye moved to her husband’s side, tugged at his arm, and said, “Let’s just get this over with.”
Wally frowned down at her. “Get what over with?”
“I’ve been wanting to talk to her,” Skye patted his bicep. “This is as good a time as any.”
“I don’t like that she keeps turning up wherever we are.” Wally continued to frown.
“Me either.” Skye squeezed his arm. “That’s one of the matters that I want to clarify with her.”
Millicent Rose bustled up to them and said breathlessly, “You two are quite a challenge for an old fairy godmother.” She took a pink handkerchief from her pocket and wiped her brow. “It’s a good thing my duties to you are nearly over, or I’d have to start going to a health club to build up my stamina.”
Wally’s stone-like expression didn’t crack, but Skye chuckled and said, “I’m sorry we’ve been so difficult, but I’m glad your assignment is almost finished, too.” She reached out and grasped Millicent’s hand in both of hers. “But most importantly, I want to thank you for helping get CJ and Eva to safety at the party when Aiden O’Twomey started shooting. If there’s anything I can do for you in return, just let me know.”
“Thank you, my dear.” Millicent beamed. “But my assignment to you was in payment for a good deed you already performed.”
“Can we stop all this horse hockey now?” Wally’s lip curled. “If your job is done and we don’t owe you anything, why are you here?”
“Oh, you are the impatient one.” Millicent’s laugh sounded like a tinkling bell. “But I still have one more task to complete in regard to your family.”
“Look, whatever your con is, I’m not falling for it.” Wally crossed his arms. “I’m grateful you assisted in keeping my children safe, but that was simply a matter of right time, right place.”
“I know you believe that.” Millicent’s bright-blue eyes sparkled. “Which is why I was assigned to Skye and not you.”
Skye released Millicent’s hand and laid her palm on Wally’s cheek. “If you’re right and Miss Rose is here for some nefarious purpose, we have more than adequate protection, so please let me handle this.”
“Fine. But all the lights don’t shine in her marquee.” Wally stepped back, stared at Millicent, and warned, “I’m watching you.”
“Just remember that I have a wand and I’m not afraid to wave it.” Millicent’s gaze hardened. “You wouldn’t like life as a donkey.”
Wally mumbled something, but Skye quickly moved to block Millicent’s view of Wally. She didn’t believe for a minute that the woman would turn him into a mule, but why take chances?
Smiling, Skye waved Millicent to take a seat at the picnic table and offered her a bottle of Dasani. As the chubby, little woman drank, Skye lined up her questions.
When Millicent finished with the water, she tilted her head and said, “Go ahead. I’ll answer anything that I can.”
“From what I understand, someone requested that you come to Scumble River and protect Eva and CJ,” Skye started, and when Millicent nodded, she continued, “Who asked you to do it?”
“Alma Griggs.”
Wally cursed, but Skye ignored him and asked, “You knew Mrs. Griggs? How?”
“Present tense.” Millicent smiled. “When Alma’s house was destroyed in the tornado, she finally felt as if she could cross over from this mortal coil to the next plane of existence. But she was worried about leaving you before you had the baby, so she sent me.”
Skye could hear Wally mumbling about charlatans but concentrated on Millicent. “When you pop up and seem to know things you shouldn’t, is Mrs. Griggs guiding you or is it some kind of magic power you have?”
“I don’t need any kind of enchantment to find you or know what’s going on.” Millicent chuckled. “All I have to do is tune into the grapevine. Scumble River has one of the best I’ve ever seen.”
“Did Mrs. Griggs know that the bowling alley would be blown up and O’Twomey would crash the baby shower?” Skye asked.
“No.” Millicent sobered. “She just wanted to be sure you and the twins were okay, but when I got here, I sensed the evil swirling around,” Millicent tsked. “So many con artists and people trying to take advantage of folks who were already devastated by the tornado. I figured that I’d do what I could to help until your babies were baptized and thus safe.”
“So you’re leaving now?” Wally’s tone was cautious.
“I have one last thing to do for Alma, and then I’ll be moving on to my next assignment.”
“What do you have to do?” Skye asked.
“These are for CJ and Eva.” Millicent fished in the pocket of her cape and came out with two tiny silver medals, which she gave to Skye. “Once they are old enough not to choke on them, they should always wear these. If they’re ever in trouble, I’ll know and come right away.”
“Thank you.” Skye examined the discs. One was engraved godson and the other goddaughter. “Is there anything I can do for you in return?”
“I’d like you to give me your bracelet.” Millicent gestured to the bangle on Skye’s wrist. “It has a lot of power for good and I can use it.”
Skye hesitated. She had gotten the bracelet from her sorority mom during pledging and it meant a lot to her. But something inside of her knew it was time to pass it on. Sliding it over her hand, she laid it in Millicent’s palm.
The woman nodded her thanks and turned to leave.
Before Millicent disappeared around the curve of the path, Skye called out, “Tell Mrs. Griggs thank you and we’re sorry we couldn’t restore her house.”
“She understands.” Millicent’s soft voice floated behind her.
Once she was gone, Wally joined Skye on the bench and said, “You don’t believe all that hooey, do you?”
“I believe there are things in this world we don’t comprehend.” Skye laid her head on his shoulder. “And since we live in a country where we can be anything we want to be, I choose to be kind.”
Acknowledgments
Thanks to Debbie Purdue for the great line about the Dooziers.
About the Author
© David Stybr
Denise Swanson is the New York Times bestselling author of the Scumble River mysteries, the Deveraux’s Dime Store mysteries, and the Chef-to-Go mysteries, as well as the Change of Heart contemporary romances. She has been nominated for RT Magazine’s Career Achievement Award, the Agatha Award, and the Mary Higgins Clark Award.
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