“Don’t do this, Holly,” he said, his voice raspy with emotion. “I’m sorry you’ve been pulled into this.”
“There.” Alicia sneered, stepping closer and glowering at us. “You’ve talked. Now let’s get this over with. There’s no need to delay the inevitable.”
She walked closer, until the gun was only inches from my head.
“Alicia, you can stop this now,” Drew said. “This isn’t you.”
“Of course, this is me! I got in too deep, and now this is the only way out. One tissue donor can help fifty people. Do you know what that means? It means that I helped almost six hundred people through what I did. Six hundred people now have better lives because of me, but most people will never see it. They’ll only see me as a monster.” Her eyes misted.
If I was going to make a move, it had to be soon.
Before I could, my cell phone rang.
The sound caused Alicia to gasp. As she did, Drew swung the chair around. The legs collided with her and sent her toppling to the floor. Her gun clattered onto the tile.
We both lunged for it at the same time.
I knew whoever got the weapon first, would be the winner here. The stakes were life or death.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Before either of us could get the gun, a new voice sounded in the room.
“Freeze! Put your hands up!”
I glanced up and saw Chase. He was here.
He kicked the gun away so neither Alicia nor I could grab it. Then he jerked Alicia up and began reading her rights.
For a moment—a split second—I was torn. Run to Chase or run to Drew?
With Chase being occupied, I had my answer. I rushed over to Drew and knelt in front of him. “Are you okay?”
He nodded, even though blood trickled from his forehead. “Yeah, I’m okay. You?”
My hands trembled as I untied him. “I’m alive.”
“That’s a start.”
“I’m glad you’re okay,” I whispered, finally getting the binding around his wrists undone.
He stretched his arms before helping me with the ties around his ankles. “Good work, Holly. I knew you were tough, but you’re even tougher than I thought.”
“I’ve had some experience.”
He released his final bind and stood. “Let’s not ever do that again.”
“I’m good with that.”
He pulled me into a quick but hearty hug.
I felt someone behind me and reluctantly let go of Drew.
Chase stood there.
My heart pounded in my ears. “How’d you know?”
“Kari finally regained consciousness. She told us. When I couldn’t get in touch with you, I called Jamie. She told me you’d come here, and I feared something might be going on.”
“Thank goodness, you came.”
“Although it looked like you were handling yourself pretty well.” He glanced at Drew. “Both of you.”
“I think I’ll stick to my day job,” Drew said.
“It looks like Alicia was the mastermind behind all of this,” Chase said. “AJ was just doing what she told him to do while taking a cut in all this. He was the one who tried to steal your purse and who sent you those texts. Alicia told him what to say, however. The two of them were tailing you together, apparently.”
“What about the pawnshop video?”
“Alicia wore a wig, hoping to throw us off her trail. She didn’t take that last set of jewelry in until Travis was already dead, and she knew you were looking into things.”
“So Kari was never involved in this?” I asked.
He shook his head. “It doesn’t appear so.”
“That’s good to know.”
“There’s one other thing you should know, Holly,” Chase said. “I got Kari Harling’s DNA results back.”
I’d found a piece of gum she left in the trash and given it to Chase, along with a swab of my own DNA. I hadn’t thought about it much since I found out she was a fraud.
Chase stared at me another moment. “They show you and Kari share some kind of family relation.”
“What?” That was the last thing I expected to hear.
He nodded. “I can’t tell you anymore. That’s for you to figure out. But she had nothing to do with this. She just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. It’s up to you to figure out if you want to press charges.”
“Thanks for letting me know.”
Chase’s gaze lingered on Drew a moment before he clamped down and offered a slight nod.
“Take care of her,” Chase’s voice sounded strained and tight.
Drew offered the same expression in return, his hand tightening at my waist. “I will.”
My heart lurched into my throat as Chase turned to take care of business.
Chase had given his blessings, a fact that filled me with gratitude.
I looked up at Drew and smiled, thankful for new opportunities, new connections, new possibilities.
But this was only the beginning. I still had to figure out how Blake—or Kari, I should say—was related to me. I had no idea what to expect. Literally, no earthly idea.
I only knew the future was somehow looking brighter . . . and even a little more mysterious. And that seemed like something I could definitely embrace.
Also by Christy Barritt:
Holly Anna Paladin Mysteries:
Random Acts of Murder (Book 1)
When Holly Anna Paladin is given a year to live, she embraces her final days doing what she loves most—random acts of kindness. But one of her extreme good deeds goes horribly wrong, implicating her in a string of murders. Holly is suddenly thrust into a different kind of fight for her life. Could it also be random that the detective assigned to the case is her old high school crush and present-day nemesis? Will Holly find the killer before he ruins what is left of her life? Or will she spend her final days alone and behind bars?
Random Acts of Deceit (Book 2)
“Break up with Chase Dexter, or I’ll kill him.” Holly Anna Paladin never expected such a gut-wrenching ultimatum. With home invasions, hidden cameras, and bomb threats, Holly must make some serious choices. Whatever she decides, the consequences will either break her heart or break her soul. She tries to match wits with the Shadow Man, but the more she fights, the deeper she’s drawn into the perilous situation. With her sister’s wedding problems and the riots in the city, Holly has nearly reached her breaking point. She must stop this mystery man before someone she loves dies. But the deceit is threatening to pull her under . . . six feet under.
Random Acts of Malice (Book 3)
When Holly Anna Paladin’s boyfriend, police detective Chase Dexter, says he’s leaving for two weeks and can’t give any details, she wants to trust him. But when she discovers Chase may be involved in some unwise and dangerous pursuits, she’s compelled to intervene. Holly gets a run for her money as she’s swept into the world of horseracing. The stakes turn deadly when a dead body surfaces and suspicion is cast on Chase. At every turn, more trouble emerges, making Holly question what she holds true about her relationship and her future. Just when she thinks she’s on the homestretch, a dark horse arises. Holly might lose everything in a nail-biting fight to the finish.
Random Acts of Scrooge (Book 3.5)
Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but a real-life Scrooge is threatening to ruin the season’s good will. Holly Anna Paladin can’t wait to celebrate Christmas with family and friends. She loves everything about the season—celebrating the birth of Jesus, singing carols, and baking Christmas treats, just to name a few. But when a local family needs help, how can she say no? Holly’s community has come together to help raise funds to save the home of Greg and Babette Sullivan, but a Bah-Humburgler has snatched the canisters of cash. Holly and her boyfriend, police detective Chase Dexter, team up to catch the Christmas crook. Will they succeed in collecting enough cash to cover the Sullivans’ overdue bills? Or will someone succee
d in ruining Christmas for all those involved?
Random Acts of Greed (Book 4)
Help me. Don’t trust anyone. Do-gooder Holly Anna Paladin can’t believe her eyes when a healthy baby boy is left on her doorstep. What seems like good fortune quickly turns into concern when blood spatter is found on the bottom of the baby carrier. Something tragic—maybe deadly—happened in connection with the infant. The note left only adds to the confusion. What does it mean by “Don’t trust anyone”? Holly is determined to figure out the identity of the baby. Is his mom someone from the inner-city youth center where she volunteers? Or maybe the connection is through Holly’s former job as a social worker? Even worse—what if the blood belongs to the baby’s mom? Every answer Holly uncovers only leads to more questions. A sticky web of intrigue captures her imagination until she’s sure of only one thing: she must protect the baby at all cost.
Random Acts of Fraud (Book 5)
Vintage-loving Holly Anna Paladin finds online dating uncouth and unbecoming. But, in an attempt to overcome her romantic slump, her BFF convinces Holly to give it a shot. When Holly is stood up on her first date, she’s halfway relieved . . . until she discovers the reason isn’t because her cyber matchup has cold feet. Instead she stumbles upon him in a classic Mustang, deader than good old-fashioned manners. Holly's had enough with investigating crime and leaves her ex-boyfriend, Detective Chase Dexter, to solve this mystery. But Holly is somehow connected to this murder, and someone is determined to keep her in the thick of things. She hopes it’s not Drew Williams, the handsome funeral director who’s trying to sweep her off her feet. Before more people are hurt, Holly is determined to unmask the pretender in her life. But can she keep her feelings for Chase locked away? Or will Holly end up losing her heart to him all over again? She must solve the case before someone pulls the plug on her profile . . . and deletes her permanently.
Squeaky Clean Mysteries:
Hazardous Duty (Book 1)
On her way to completing a degree in forensic science, Gabby St. Claire drops out of school and starts her own crime-scene cleaning business. When a routine cleaning job uncovers a murder weapon the police overlooked, she realizes that the wrong person is in jail. But the owner of the weapon is a powerful foe . . . and willing to do anything to keep Gabby quiet. With the help of her new neighbor, Riley Thomas, a man whose life and faith fascinate her, Gabby seeks to find the killer before another murder occurs.
Suspicious Minds (Book 2)
In this smart and suspenseful sequel to Hazardous Duty, crime-scene cleaner Gabby St. Claire finds herself stuck doing mold remediation to pay the bills. Her first day on the job, she uncovers a surprise in the crawlspace of a dilapidated home: Elvis, dead as a doornail and still wearing his blue-suede shoes. How could she possibly keep her nose out of a case like this?
It Came Upon a Midnight Crime (Book 2.5, a Novella)
Someone is intent on destroying the true meaning of Christmas—at least, destroying anything that hints of it. All around crime-scene cleaner Gabby St. Claire’s hometown, anything pointing to Jesus as “the reason for the season” is being sabotaged. The crimes become more twisted as dismembered body parts are found at the vandalisms. Someone is determined to destroy Christmas . . . but Gabby is just as determined to find the Grinch and let peace on earth and goodwill prevail.
Organized Grime (Book 3)
Gabby St. Claire knows her best friend, Sierra, isn’t guilty of killing three people in what appears to be an eco-terrorist attack. But Sierra has disappeared, her only contact a frantic phone call to Gabby proclaiming she’s being hunted. Gabby is determined to prove her friend is innocent and to keep Sierra alive. While trying to track down the real perpetrator, Gabby notices a disturbing trend at the crime scenes she’s cleaning, one that ties random crimes together—and points to Sierra as the guilty party. Just what has her friend gotten herself involved in?
Dirty Deeds (Book 4)
“Promise me one thing. No snooping. Just for one week.” Gabby St. Claire knows that her fiancé’s request is a simple one she should be able to honor. After all, Riley’s law school reunion and attorneys’ conference at a posh resort is a chance for them to get away from the mysteries Gabby often finds herself involved in as a crime-scene cleaner. Then an old friend of Riley’s goes missing. Gabby suspects one of Riley’s buddies might be behind the disappearance. When the missing woman’s mom asks Gabby for help, how can she say no?
The Scum of All Fears (Book 5)
Gabby St. Claire is back to crime-scene cleaning and needs help after a weekend killing spree fills her work docket. A serial killer her fiancé put behind bars has escaped. His last words to Riley were: I’ll get out, and I’ll get even. Pictures of Gabby are found in the man’s prison cell, messages are left for Gabby at crime scenes, someone keeps slipping in and out of her apartment, and her temporary assistant disappears. The search for answers becomes darker when Gabby realizes she’s dealing with a criminal who is truly the scum of the earth. He will do anything to make Gabby’s and Riley’s lives a living nightmare.
To Love, Honor, and Perish (Book 6)
Just when Gabby St. Claire’s life is on the right track, the unthinkable happens. Her fiancé, Riley Thomas, is shot and in life-threatening condition only a week before their wedding. Gabby is determined to figure out who pulled the trigger, even if investigating puts her own life at risk. As she digs deeper into the case, she discovers secrets better left alone. Doubts arise in her mind, and the one man with answers lies on death’s doorstep. Then an old foe returns and tests everything Gabby is made of—physically, mentally, and spiritually. Will all she’s worked for be destroyed?
Mucky Streak (Book 7)
Gabby St. Claire feels her life is smeared with the stain of tragedy. She takes a short-term gig as a private investigator—a cold case that’s eluded detectives for ten years. The mass murder of a wealthy family seems impossible to solve, but Gabby brings more clues to light. Add to the mix a flirtatious client, travels to an exciting new city, and some quirky—albeit temporary—new sidekicks, and things get complicated. With every new development, Gabby prays that her “mucky streak” will end and the future will become clear. Yet every answer she uncovers leads her closer to danger—both for her life and for her heart.
Foul Play (Book 8)
Gabby St. Claire is crying “foul play” in every sense of the phrase. When the crime-scene cleaner agrees to go undercover at a local community theater, she discovers more than backstage bickering, atrocious acting, and rotten writing. The female lead is dead, and an old classmate who has staked everything on the musical production’s success is about to go under. In her dual role of investigator and star of the show, Gabby finds the stakes rising faster than the opening-night curtain. She must face her past and make monumental decisions, not just about the play but also concerning her future relationships and career. Will Gabby find the killer before the curtain goes down—not only on the play, but also on life as she knows it?
Broom and Gloom (Book 9)
Gabby St. Claire is determined to get back in the saddle again. While in Oklahoma for a forensic conference, she meets her soon-to-be stepbrother, Trace Ryan, an up-and-coming country singer. A woman he was dating has disappeared, and he suspects a crazy fan may be behind it. Gabby agrees to investigate, as she tries to juggle her conference, navigate being alone in a new place, and locate a woman who may not want to be found. She discovers that sometimes taking life by the horns means staring danger in the face, no matter the consequences.
Dust and Obey (Book 10)
When Gabby St. Claire’s ex-fiancé, Riley Thomas, asks for her help in investigating a possible murder at a couples retreat, she knows she should say no. She knows she should run far, far away from the danger of both being around Riley and the crime. But her nosy instincts and determination take precedence over her logic. Gabby and Riley must work together to find the killer. In the process, they have to confront demons from their past and deal wi
th their present relationship.
Thrill Squeaker (Book 11)
An abandoned theme park. An unsolved murder. A decision that will change Gabby’s life forever. Restoring an old amusement park and turning it into a destination resort seems like a fun idea for former crime-scene cleaner Gabby St. Claire. The side job gives her the chance to spend time with her friends, something she’s missed since beginning a new career. The job turns out to be more than Gabby bargained for when she finds a dead body on her first day. Add to the mix legends of Bigfoot, creepy clowns, and ghostlike remnants of happier times at the park, and her stay begins to feel like a rollercoaster ride. Someone doesn’t want the decrepit Mythical Falls to open again, but just how far is this person willing to go to ensure this venture fails? As the stakes rise and danger creeps closer, will Gabby be able to restore things in her own life that time has destroyed—including broken relationships? Or is her future closer to the fate of the doomed Mythical Falls?
Swept Away, a Honeymoon Novella (Book 11.5)
Finding the perfect place for a honeymoon, away from any potential danger or mystery, is challenging. But Gabby’s longtime love and newly minted husband, Riley Thomas, has done it. He has found a location with a nonexistent crime rate, a mostly retired population, and plenty of opportunities for relaxation in the warm sun. Within minutes of the newlyweds’ arrival, a convoy of vehicles pulls up to a nearby house, and their honeymoon oasis is destroyed like a sandcastle in a storm. Despite Gabby’s and Riley’s determination to keep to themselves, trouble comes knocking at their door—literally—when a neighbor is abducted from the beach directly outside their rental. Will Gabby and Riley be swept away with each other during their honeymoon . . . or will a tide of danger and mayhem pull them under?
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