The Body Mafia
Page 24
“And again, you’re sure this is what you want?”
“I’m sure. I’ve never been as sure about anything in my life.” His smile returned. “It was because of you.”
“What did I do?”
“You compromised everything to see that those men got what they deserved. Me? I would have probably just had everybody killed, but you, you put your own life on the line just so they could be tried through the legal system, the right way. Amazing.” He shook his head. “And all for the love of your husband.” He paused. “I never thought a love like that could exist, until I fell in love with you, CeeCee.”
My eyes felt the tears that began to surface out of nothing but pity. I can only imagine what it is like to love someone when the feeling isn’t reciprocated. He didn’t allow me to respond to his confession.
“I needed to tell you. I know that when I leave today, I’ll probably never see you again. I know you love your husband more than life, but for some foolish reason, I needed you to know. That’s all.”
I nodded and felt compelled to reply. “I care for you, and I’ll always wish you well, Joseph. If things were different, who knows? If it weren’t for Michael, we wouldn’t have met in the first place. Start your new life, be happy, and never forget our friendship.”
He looked at the ground. “He’s lucky, your husband. I told him that, too. I could have lied and told him something happened between us when he asked, but I would never compromise your happiness. ”
“He asked you if something happened between us?” Michael had failed to relay that part of the conversation.
He nodded. “You can’t blame him. If you were my wife, and the circumstances that we were in arose, I’d be worried, too. Michael told me he will always owe me for helping you, and said thank you. Losing you would have to be one of the worst things in the world. I know, because my nights ahead will be dreams full of you. You’ll be forever in my heart, CeeCee Gallagher.”
“You’ll be in mine as well, Joseph.”
With nothing left to say, we strode down the pier hand in hand toward the awaiting agents for Joseph to begin his new life. I noticed I couldn’t see Michael anywhere. After one last embrace, I stood and watched as Joseph entered the waiting vehicle. Michael reappeared then, walking up from behind, encircling me in his arms. We both watched as they pulled away, Joseph giving a slight wave from the backseat. Then Joseph was gone. I wiped the last tear from my eye before I turned to Michael.
“Where were you just now?”
“Had to find a restroom—you guys took longer than I thought. How did it go?”
“It went well, but very sad. I hope things work out for him. He deserves it,” I said in a voice that was almost inaudible. “That bothered you, didn’t it?” I referred to the hugs Joseph and I had shared.
He looked up at the sky and back at me, smiling. “Yes, it bothered me. Sorry.”
“Don’t be. I understand, even though, you know, you are the only man I will ever love in my life.” I grinned widely.
“He was deeply in love with you, you know,” Michael said, just as quietly.
“How did you know that?”
“He told me, Cee.”
Evidently, Joseph had forgotten to relay his part of the conversation, just as Michael had left out a bit of his own. I had a feeling I would never know exactly what had been said between the two of them. I nodded as Michael and I, remaining silent and arms interlocked, walked out to the end of the pier. While looking out over the lake, Michael patted his coat and reached for something.
“What are you doing?”
“Close your eyes and hold out your hands.”
“C’mon, Michael, just—”
“Do it.”
Holding out my hands as ordered, I knew what Michael was putting into them. When he told me I could open my eyes, I felt a significant amount of delight in seeing my detective sergeant’s badge in one hand and department-issued weapon in the other.
“The sheriff thought you might need those when you go back to work.” He grinned.
“They’re good to see.” I wasn’t lying.
Since it was the right moment, I told Michael to do the same. I had brought the item with me today, anticipating we would have time alone.
“It’s your turn. Close your eyes and hold out your hand.”
He smiled and looked at me skeptically, before he did as directed. As I placed the item in his hand, I told him he could open his eyes. When he looked down at it, his smile faded, replaced by a look of unreserved shock.
“This isn’t…Is this what I think it is?” He looked at me, breathing hard.
“Yes, Michael.” My own smile widened. “It’s what you think it is: a pregnancy test. As you can see, it’s positive. We are going to have a baby.”
Picking me off the ground and yelling aloud, Michael was thrilled. It was then, on that day, at that moment, that my life…began again.
Rave Reviews for Satcy Dittrich!
MARY JANE’S GRAVE
“The whodunit is terrific with its ties to the late nine-teenth century atrocities as Stacy Dittrich provides a unique voice with a fresh brisk thriller starring a heroine who resonates with readers.”
—Midwest Book Review
“A creepy ghost story lies at the heart of Dittrich’s second thriller starring Detective CeeCee Gallagher. The crime is horrific and puzzling, and Dittrich does an excellent job laying out a clever procedural that is hauntingly laced with eerieness. A book to send true chills down the spine.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Mary Jane’s Grave provides a fast-paced story line with a ghostly flair, emotional turmoil and multi-generational twists.”
—Fresh Fiction
THE DEVIL’S CLOSET
“Dittrich explores every parent’s nightmare in this chilling police procedural. The drama is intense and the plot terrifying as Dittrich’s police detective heroine leads readers through an intricate maze set to entrap her. CeeCee Gallagher is a highly complex heroine whose private life is in shambles but whose dedication to the job is impeccable.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Twists, turns and nonstop action.”
—The Mansfield News Journal
“Stacy Dittrich is an absolute master at devising and then executing a story that is not only realistic but downright chilling. Dittrich’s law enforcement background, coupled with her command of descriptive adjectives, made it nearly impossible for me to put The Devil’s Closet down. She captured the ultimate fear and terrifying reality of a child sexual victim at the hands of a heinous predator.”
—Robin Sax, Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney—Sex Crimes Division, author of Everything Parents Need to Know about Predators and Molesters
“CeeCee Gallagher is the real McCoy—gritty and tough, but with smooth edges. She embodies what a true detective needs to be.”
—Andrew Peterson, author of First to Kill
“A terrific thriller.”
—Midwest Book Review
“The Devil’s Closet is a valid debut from a woman who speaks from experience.”
—Bookgasm
Other Leisure Books by Stacy Dittrich:
MARY JANE’S GRAVE
THE DEVIL’S CLOSET
Copyright
A LEISURE BOOK®
March 2010
Published by
Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc.
200 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
Copyright © 2010 by Stacy Dittrich
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter inv
ented, without the express written permission of publisher.
E-ISBN: 978-1-4285-0823-1
The name “Leisure Books” and the stylized “L” with design are trademarks of Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc.
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Visit us on the web at www.dorchesterpub.com.