I braced myself to fight for my life and Trace’s.
CHAPTER 33
Trace raised his hands again. “It doesn’t have to end this way, Skye.”
She shrugged. “I was hoping the tornado might just finish you off. I wasn’t that lucky.”
“What did you do to Wentworth?” I asked.
“I just knocked him out. He’ll be fine. If the storm didn’t get to him.” By her smirk, it looked like that was exactly what she was hoping.
The wind swept into the shelter again. What exactly was going on outside? And how was I going to get out of this storm shelter? Who knew we were here?
This wasn’t looking good.
I glanced around the room, trying to determine what my options were. There was an old table, nothing on it. Some tools. One of them could work, if I could get to them. There was also an old lamp, a refrigerator, and cans of paint.
She’d shoot me before I could get over to any of those items, though.
Maybe I just needed to keep her talking until help arrived.
But what if help didn’t arrive? Who knew what kind of damage the storm had done outside?
I was going to go with talking my way out of this one. It probably wouldn’t work, but what other choice did I have at the moment?
“You don’t have to let this ruin your life, Skye. There’s still so much you can do. You can turn this tragedy around.” That’s what I hoped to do with my own life.
She snorted. “I don’t even have the desire to try. The only thing that brings me any possible joy is the thought of Trace suffering.”
I glanced over at Trace and noticed he’d gone pale. No one would blame him for that.
But right now Skye was focused on me, obviously trying to prove how much smarter she was than everyone else. I needed to use that to my advantage.
Make that, Trace needed to use this to his advantage.
Trace took a step back, his hand reaching for something.
Something rumbled outside, causing us all to pause. The ground moaned around us.
“Trace suffering isn’t going to make you feel better,” I continued. “Only for a minute. When that wears off, you’re going to regret your choices.”
“You wouldn’t understand!” she snapped.
“My fiancé was shot by a man who should have been in prison,” I told her. “We broke up. I’ve lived a lot of days in misery. But not anymore. If I can turn things around, then so can you.”
Her nostrils flared. “Don’t use this mumbo jumbo on me. You’re only trying to delay the inevitable. We’re all going to die down here. You need to face the facts.”
I exchanged another glance with Trace. There were two of us and only one of her. If I could get the gun away from her, we might have a fighting chance.
Getting the gun away from her would be the challenge.
When the wind slammed into the building, I saw my opportunity.
I swung my leg toward her. Just as my foot connected with the gun, it discharged. I held my breath, praying the bullet hadn’t hit anything, anyone.
Before I could gather myself, Trace grabbed the rope behind him. He circled it and, in one swoop, wrangled Skye. I scrambled on the ground and found the gun.
My hands no longer shook like they used to when I held a gun. This time, I aimed it at Skye, knowing good and well what I was doing with it.
Skye struggled, but Trace wrapped the rope around her and tied her up. She struggled against her binds.
My heart slowed finally.
“You’re both crazy!” Skye sputtered, fighting her binds.
“We’re crazy?” Trace said. “You killed Dud and tried to kill Georgia.”
She spit at him. “You make me sick. This isn’t done, you know.”
Just then, the shelter doors opened. Two police officers peered down at us. “You okay down there?”
My heart finally slowed. Really slowed down. Help was here. Skye couldn’t hurt us. And, apparently, the tornado had passed.
CHAPTER 34
“You have the right to remain silent,” an officer told Skye as he handcuffed her.
“How’d you know to come?” I asked yet another detective.
“Someone named Wentworth called,” the detective said.
Wentworth! He was alive!
“Paramedics are treating him in the house right now. Apparently, he has a pretty nasty concussion,” the detective said.
I took a deep breath, more than relieved that all of this was finally over. My gaze roamed the landscape around me and stopped at the stables. They were still standing, untouched by the storm!
The house behind me was still standing as well, but I could see a line of destruction farther away. It only appeared to be a tree, some fencing, and part of the old barn. A trash can, a toilet, and a water heater lay in the field. Who knew where they came from?
As I turned, I saw my rental car. It had been picked up and dropped by the storm. It now lay on its side.
Awesome.
Despite that, it could have been so much worse. So much worse.
Thank you, Lord!
Trace and I gave our statements, and three hours later, we were okayed to leave. Trace agreed to drive me back to the hotel before meeting Wentworth at the hospital.
“That was some evening, wasn’t it?” I said, once we were in his truck.
“I just can’t believe it.” He shook his head, looking a little shell-shocked. “How did I not notice that Skye was related to Stephen?”
“They had different last names, different fathers, they probably didn’t look alike, and she was deceitful. No one plans for something like this or knows in advance to keep their eyes open for shrewd relatives to show up with vengeance in their eyes.”
He squeezed the skin between his eyes. “I feel horrible about Stephen.”
I clutched his shoulder, wishing I could make him feel better. I knew the real healing would come with time, though. “People made bad choices, Trace. You tried to do what was best for him and for the band. You couldn’t have him coming on tour with you with drug problems.”
We rode silently for several minutes. I was going to miss Oklahoma. It was hard to believe I’d be on my way home first thing Saturday morning. My time here had flown by.
I pushed the CD into the player, ready for some music to cut the silence. Trace started to say something, but before the words could leave his mouth, his deep, crooning voice rang through the speaker.
It sounded raw and uncut, like he’d sat down with his guitar and recorded in his living room. But that wasn’t what stood out to me. What stood out were the words of the ballad.
Move on
Even when the past
Tries to drag you back
Be strong
Even when the road is long
Even when sadness is your song
Just sing
Get back up
Show the world that you’re tough.
But remember that moving on
May not be what you thought.
Something clutched my heart. I wasn’t exactly sure what it was. Gratitude. Realization. Understanding.
“I wrote that for you, Gabby,” Trace said. “It’s rough, but I wanted to capture what I had so far. I didn’t expect you to hear it yet.”
“It’s beautiful,” I told him. “Really beautiful.”
Finally, we pulled into the garage of the conference center. We parked and started toward the hotel.
“Thanks, Trace, for everything,” I told him as we walked.
“Thank you!” he said, pausing at the door to the hotel. “I’m really glad we met, Gabby. I wasn’t sure if I was going to have to fake being nice to you. But then I met you and realized you’re the real deal. Genuine, smart, likable, and you’ve got spunk. I know we’re a little old to become stepsiblings, but I’d be honored to have you as family.”
Spontaneously, I threw my arms around him in a hug. “Thanks, Trace. I feel the same way. I hope we’ll stay
in touch.”
“I have a message for you,” a new voice said.
I turned and saw the sidewalk prophet who’d set up outside of the hotel this week. Immediately, I braced myself. The man was still out here at this hour? He was dedicated.
His gaze latched onto mine, determination written there. “God is going to bless you, young lady. Keep your eyes on Him, and He’ll show you the way.”
With that, the man disappeared down the sidewalk.
My heart slowed a moment as his words washed over me. I didn’t know if that was a message from God or not, but I did know that the Christian life was blessed. It was still full of pain, but peace superseded the heartache when we put our trust in God.
“I think I second that motion, Gabby. I can’t wait to see what God does through your life.” He tilted his hat. “Let’s stay in touch, okay?”
“You know it.”
I stepped inside the hotel, hoping for the life of me I didn’t run into anyone. My fellow conferees should all still be at the banquet. I glanced at my watch and saw that it was only 9:30. It felt like days had passed since I left this morning. So much had happened.
All I wanted was to go to my room, shower, and get a good night’s rest. I looked down and saw that my jeans now had a rip in one knee and a dirt stain on the other. A couple of specks of blood stained my shirt. Without even looking, I knew my hair was wind tousled and a frizzy mess.
I took a step toward my room when someone called my name. All my muscles tightened as I turned and saw Evie running toward me.
She, of course, was decked out in a black dress with a pearl necklace and painfully high heels. She was a picture of cool poise and elegant detachment.
“I was hoping I’d catch you!” She looked me up and down. “You look terrible, by the way.”
If she only knew.
“Thanks.” I couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of my voice.
“It doesn’t matter. You need to come with me.” She took my arm and tried to tug.
I didn’t budge. My job here was over, and I didn’t feel obligated to do anything else. I’d solved the mystery, completed my workshops, and met Trace. I could rest easy tonight.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
She frowned. “You have to see this.”
“See what?”
“Walk with me.” Somehow, my feet slowly moved beside her. I would put on brakes again if she tried to take me near the banquet hall, though. “Get this. Rumor has it that Dr. Levi Stone is being sued for sexual harassment.”
“What?”
Evie nodded. “It’s true. A past employee of his has filed a lawsuit, saying she was fired when she didn’t comply with his wishes outside of work.”
“Ouch. That’s gonna hurt.” I had to admit that a touch of satisfaction coursed through me. Dr. Stone had gotten what was coming to him. He’d gotten the justice he’d deserved.
“Apparently she has one of the best law firms in the country representing her.”
I remembered that letter from a law firm that I’d found in his desk. Had it been a legal notice of some sort? “Maybe this will teach him to play well with others.”
“Maybe it will tarnish his reputation here among his colleagues. He shouldn’t get away with treating people like that. No one should feel shamed for doing the right thing.”
I jerked my head toward her as something in her voice made me think twice. “You’re the woman, aren’t you?”
She glanced at me, sadness in her eyes as she nodded. “I’m not the woman, but I’m one of them. Now you can see why I was so upset. First, he passed me over for a job. Then he later hired me. When I didn’t give in to his advances, he called me nasty names and fired me. He said if I told anyone, he’d make my life miserable. I was humiliated. I almost didn’t participate in the lawsuit, but after hearing what he did to you, I changed my mind.”
“I can’t imagine, Evie. I’m so sorry.”
“Anyway, I’m sorry I started that rumor about you.”
My mouth sagged open. “You started that?”
“Yes, and I regret it. However, I did not draw the mustache on you.”
I shook my head, outraged. “How could you do that?”
“You’re not who I thought you’d be, Gabby. You’re pretty and smart. I thought you were the type who might do anything to get ahead.” She sighed. “Anyway, the whole reason I’m telling you all of this is because Dr. Stone was supposed to receive the Kirsh Award tonight. The board changed their minds after they heard about the lawsuit. I guess there are five women total who are suing him.”
Anger still coursed through me, but her last statement had been a nice distraction from my negative emotions. “I can’t believe the nerve of some people.” I was talking about Dr. Stone and Evie, unfortunately.
“The good news is that Sherman won the award in his place. Isn’t that great?”
“Sherman did? That’s wonderful.”
The door to the banquet appeared ahead, and I shook my head, digging my heels into the carpet.
“Just step in here while I finish talking to you.”
“I’d rather not. I look like a wreck.”
“It’s dark. No one will see us.”
“Why can’t we talk out here?”
“Because the president is supposed to make an announcement. I want to hear what she has to say.”
I frowned. “If anyone sees me, so help me . . .” I made the idle threat, knowing nothing would come of it.
“Thank you.” She wasted no time dragging me into the room. Thankfully, it was dark inside. Guests were seated at tables lit only by candlelight. On the stage at the front of the room, Dr. Gable, the head of the American Forensic Association, made her closing remarks. She had everyone’s rapt attention.
“Finally, I’d like to announce the recipient of this year’s First Time Attendee Award. The honoree who receives this distinction is someone who puts forensics and justice above themselves. It’s someone who’s committed, dedicated, and who’s made positive strides at making a difference in the law enforcement community, although a bit unconventionally sometimes.”
I crossed my arms, curious to see who would receive the award.
“It’s my honor to present this award this year to . . .” She held up a certificate in one hand and a plaque in the other. “Gabby St. Claire.”
I stared at her, certain I hadn’t heard her correctly. Evie nudged me forward, but I still felt dazed. What was going on here?
“Ms. St. Claire has demonstrated great fortitude. Not only has she overcome some big obstacles in her life, she’s also worked tirelessly to ensure that justice prevails. Many deserving people were nominated. But when Ms. St. Claire found a missing woman this week while off duty, it proved she was willing to go above and beyond.”
Evie moved beside me toward the stage. If she let go of my arm, I was fairly certain I’d ended up just stopping and staring. Everything seemed hazy, and I still didn’t feel like I’d understood a word of what was being said.
“Ms. St. Claire used her prowess and intellect, as well as her intuition, to ensure that every life counts.” She turned toward me. “I’m pleased to see she’s here tonight.”
As I took a step closer, I noticed her grin flattened some. She was probably wondering what I’d been through. If she thought a tornado and nearly being killed by the very woman I’d supposedly saved earlier, she’d be correct. There’d be a time to give her the latest version of the story later.
“Gabby, please join me onstage.”
I did as she asked, pulling a hair behind my ear and really wishing I’d gotten that shower in.
“We are so pleased that you joined us here this year for our conference. You’ve been an inspiration to us all as you’ve gone above and beyond, all for the sake of forensics. Can everyone please give her a round of applause?”
People in the banquet hall not only clapped, they rose to their feet.
My hands shook with surprise and shock. I’
d had no clue this would happen. Not even an inkling.
“Gabby, would you like to say something?” Dr. Gable asked.
I took the plaque and certificate from her and stood awkwardly behind the podium. I stared out at my classmates, the same ones who’d acted like I’d been given a scarlet letter earlier. It was funny how people could change their opinions so quickly. One minute I’d been judged harshly, the next I was being praised.
Welcome to life in the real world. Not always fair. Not always right. But it was what it was.
“Thank you,” I started, my voice shaky. “I’m nearly speechless. Nearly being the key word.”
A chuckle washed through the crowd.
I drew in a deep breath, trying to collect my thoughts. “One of the most important things I’ve realized is that it doesn’t make a difference where you are in life, what point you’re at. Maybe you’re testifying in court and in demand from lawyers and police departments. Maybe you’re a lab tech or maybe even something as lowly as a crime scene cleaner.”
A slight murmur ran through the room. I knew what they were saying: Who in their right mind would be a crime scene cleaner? After all, I was at a conference of trained professionals. I was also a trained professional, in more than one sense of the word.
“All the work we do is valuable. We look at the minute things, the things that most people don’t see, and we make sense of it. We’re putting the puzzle pieces together. We’re making things make sense through the same details.
“There’s a principle we all operate by called Locard’s that professes that people leave bits of themselves wherever they go. I want to take that principle a step further. As investigators, we touch people’s lives. We leave a trail of justice wherever we go. Though it’s not always visible to the human eye, though we’re not always recognized by the news or sometimes even by the victims, there are traces of the work we do all around us. We’re all making a difference.”
Broom and Gloom: Squeaky Clean Mysteries, Book 9 Page 21