Is it possible she doesn't know? My anger heats me up. "Nathan shot him tonight. Dustin interrupted the murder of Vee and Lane Markle and was shot for his troubles," I say.
“Oh, my. You were serious when you said that? I thought you were trying to trick us.”
“I’m not a liar, like you,” I snap. Lucas puts his hand on top of mine. “Sorry,” I say again.
We drive into town and through River Bend in silence. Questions in all of our heads. As we turn onto my street, Deidre finally asks. “Did he really kill Crystal?”
She sounds earnest. For the first time since becoming reacquainted with her, she feels like a real woman.
“He did.” The simple honest truth.
Lucas parks in front of my house, my vandalized and scratched garage door bright in his headlights. I open my door and pull off his coat. “You two need to talk. I’m going to shower and change real quick. Then we’ll go see about Dustin.”
I shut the door before Lucas can argue.
They have lots to talk about and don’t need an audience.
What I need is to be warm and dry, Grandma Dot telling me it will all be okay, and Dustin safely out of surgery.
Chapter 31
Gabby
A fresh blanket of snow covers the cemetery, crisp and white and sparkling in the morning sunshine. The tent over our heads rattles with a forlorn sound.
A line of officers, resplendent in their dress blues, stands nearby. The colorful finery contrasts brightly against the new snow.
Grandma Dot sinks into the chair next to me in the front row and takes my hand. Her reassuring squeeze is meant to calm. Her firm grip an anchor against the tide of swirling emotions.
“Dustin would love this,” she says quietly, nodding to the American flag draped on the coffin suspended over the open grave.
“The flowers are lovely, too,” I mutter pointlessly. “Many from his station.”
Further down the row, a child's cry pierces the hushed scene. Alexis puts Walker on her shoulder and bounces with the easy grace of motherhood. Walker shoves his face into her neck, wraps her hair around his pudgy fingers, and settles.
I envy his quick recovery from tears to calm.
Envy his lack of understanding about why we are here at this cemetery this morning.
I scan the gathering crowd for a familiar face, and spot Lucas talking to a group of fellow officers. His dress blue uniform sets off the blue in the eyes that meet mine across the crowd. He gives me a reassuring half-smile and a nod.
It’s what I needed at this moment.
Goosebumps dot my bare legs. It's the third occasion I've had to wear the blue sweater dress Grandma bought me.
My least favorite occasion of the three.
"You cold?" my mom, Emily, asks. "You have goosebumps."
I’m not used to hearing her voice in real life. Not used to the freedom to touch her hand. I take that hand in mine. Try not to think about how thin she feels.
She’s home with us now.
“I’m good,” I reply. “Not a great event for you to come home to.”
“No, it’s not,” she says softly. She releases my hand and puts her arm around my shoulders. She runs her fingers through my curls. I lean into her shoulder and drink in the moment.
She’s home with us now.
At the far edge of the cemetery, a news van parks. “Lacey and her crew are here,” I say to Grandma Dot.
“She better leave you alone until this is over,” Grandma replies with narrowed eyes. “This is a family matter.”
I swallow hard and clench a fist against my thigh. “Family matter,” I repeat.
The seats under the tent fill up and a crowd of people forms a swarm around us. "Good turn out," Alexis says, patting Walker on the back. "Dustin would be pleased." Her eyes slide away from the coffin and drift to the waiting hearse with its dark windows. She stares at the hearse with eyes worn from worry.
Scanning the crowd again, I find Lucas and give him a tight smile. I wish he could be sitting here with me, but he takes his position in the line of officers next to Chief Simmons.
The pastor from Grandma’s church steps forward as the last few stragglers join the group of mourners. A hush settles over the crowd.
I swallow hard again and focus on my breathing to stay calm. The pastor begins speaking and I run my hands down my thighs nervously.
My tattoo begins to tingle and I snap my gaze to Lucas.
He’s been watching me intently, ready.
As the pastor continues speaking, Lucas steps away from the formal line of officers and into the crowd of mourners.
My eyes follow him, but from my seat at the front of the service, I can’t see over the crush of people.
I grab both Grandma Dot and Mom’s hands and squeeze hard.
“Nathan McAllister, put your hands up.” Lucas barks over the pastor’s calm voice.
“We got him,” I bubble with excitement. "We got him."
I push through the crowd of plain-clothed officers. He’s dyed his hair and shaved his beard in an attempt to disguise himself. When we thought he was dead, it was easy for him to sneak into Dustin’s basketball games and other important moments in our lives.
Today we were all on the lookout.
Nathan attempts to run, dashes around the gravestones.
Lucas is right behind him, and I'm only a few steps behind.
Nathan trips over a pile of uneven dirt hidden under the snow, remnants from the exhumation of Crystal. I picked this location on purpose.
Lucas is on him before he can wriggle away.
I jump onto the pile, unable to stop myself.
Lucas gets one of Nathan's wrists twisted behind his back and I pull the other wrist. A circle of plain-clothed officers surrounds us, in on the ruse.
Someone sniggers at my involvement.
“Quite a girl you got there, Hartley.”
I don't care if they make fun of me. I don't care if this should be done by the police.
The whole plan to catch him was my idea. I wouldn’t miss it.
Lucas straddles Nathans back, holding his wrists in place. I stand and put my foot on his neck the way I’ve seen officers do on TV. Nathan’s umph of pain fills me with sick satisfaction.
"I knew you wouldn't miss Dustin's funeral," I hiss at the man.
“Gabby,” he says, gasping against my dress shoe on the side of his neck. “I’m so sorry about your brother.”
The swirl of my emotions bubble into a frenzy. “It’s your fault he got shot,” I snap. “It’s your fault for all of this.”
“I never meant for him to die,” he says miserably.
I enjoy his misery. "Hurts thinking someone you love is dead, doesn't it?"
His face fills with confusion.
“You’ve only had a few days to feel that way. Dustin and I have spent years missing you. Grieving for you. Now it’s over.”
I shout over my shoulder at the waiting hearse. “Dustin, do you have something you want to say to our dear father?”
Dustin climbs out of the vehicle and joins us with a smug smile.
“I do have something to say.” With one arm in a sling, he takes handcuffs from his pocket with his good arm. “Nathan McAllister, you’re under arrest.” With Lucas’ help, Dustin roughly cuffs him, stands him up, then pushes him to Chief Simmons. “Chief, get this piece of trash out of here.”
Nathan gapes at the crowd surrounding him. "This was all a setup?" he asks dumbly. "You faked a funeral?"
“Faking deaths must run in the family,” I retort.
Chief Simmons pulls Nathan by the cuffs, grumbling, “Come on.”
“Chief, wait,” Grandma Dot shouts, pushing through the officers to face Nathan. Her fist connects with his jaw before anyone can stop her. "That's for Emily," she hisses.
Cuffed and unable to defend himself, Nathan stumbles backwards and falls on his back in the snow. Grandma kicks him in the ribs. “This if for Gabby.” She kicks him
again. “This is for Dustin.”
Nathan rolls on his back like a turtle on its shell. “Are you going to stop her?” he demands of Chief Simmons.
The chief says to Grandma, “One more, then that’s enough.”
Relishing the moment, Grandma sinks a final kick into him. “That’s for taking my daughter from me.”
The chief drags Nathan to his feet once again.
“You want to get one in, too, Emily?” the chief asks Mom.
My mother smiles sweetly, wraps her arm around Grandma's shoulder. "I think my mom took care of it just fine."
“You are all crazy,” Nathan shouts as he’s drug away. “A fake funeral? You’re nuts.”
He continues to squall until he’s loaded into a cruiser.
“Did you hurt yourself?” I ask Grandma Dot.
She shakes her foot and rubs her knuckles. “Only a little. It was worth it.”
Lucas slides his arm around my waist. “You okay?”
"I'm great," I answer honestly. “As long as we never actually go to Dustin’s funeral.”
“Ha!” Dustin laughs. “I’m going to outlive all of you.”
“You better,” Alexis chimes in, handing Walker to Dustin. “Even pretending you were dead was awful.”
“I kind of enjoyed it,” Dustin says. “You all looked so sad, made me feel important.”
“Acting. We were all acting,” I say.
From the news van parked at the edge of the cemetery, Lacey Aniston walks towards us.
“Crap on a cracker, time to pay the piper,” I grumble. “She did fake a report on Dustin’s untimely demise for us. Now I owe her an interview.”
“Just do like I do and say no comment,” Dustin offers.
"I promised a comment." I force a smile and walk across the snow to meet Lacey.
“You ready for our interview now?” Lacey asks.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
“This story will for sure clinch my spot at the Indianapolis station. Heck, I might even try for a job in Chicago,” Lacey chatters.
If this interview helps get Lacey out of River Bend, I’m all for it. “What do you want to know?”
"Mistletoe, Daddy," Olivia says, pointing to the green sprig hanging above Lucas and me at Grandma Dot's. "You have to kiss Gabby."
“Well, if you say so, Ollie-bug.” Lucas pulls me close and plants a quick peck on my lips.
"Ooh, gross," Olivia giggles and runs to the Christmas tree.
“I’ll give you a better one later,” he says so only I can hear.
“Get a room,” Dustin grumbles good-naturedly, slapping Lucas on the shoulder. “Olivia’s right, gross.”
“Good thing you’re in a sling, or I’d smack you,” I tease my brother, then follow him into the living room to join the family around the Christmas tree.
“The psychological effects of incarceration on the human mind is fascinating,” Gregor Hartley is saying to Mom. She wears a polite smile, but is obviously uncomfortable.
“Save her,” I mouth to Lucas.
“Dad, would you like another drink?” Lucas interrupts.
“I’d love some more iced tea. Dot, this tea is delicious,” Gregor says.
“Come on, Dad,” Lucas says. “I’ll help you in the kitchen.”
I settle into the empty seat next to Mom on the couch. “Thank you,” she breathes. “Poor man. I feel sorry for him, but boy he can talk.”
I snuggle closer and say, “You get used to it after a while.”
“Now, that son of his,” Mom teases.
“Gabriella did good there,” Grandma chimes in. “Both the kids chose well,” she adds, smiling at Alexis and Dustin.
“Is it time yet?” Olivia asks Lucas when he returns to the living room. “Grandma Dot said Walker and I could open a present tonight.”
“It’s only Christmas Eve, so just one,” Grandma says.
Her face glows with joy.
She finally got her most treasured wish, her whole family together for the holidays.
I got the best present of all, a room full of people who love and accept me exactly as I am.
THE END
Want another great book to read? Try these other small town murder mysteries by Dawn Merriman. You can also see all Dawn Merriman’s books, and join her personal newsletter to receive a FREE short story at DawnMerriman.com
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If you missed the first two books in this series, read them now.
Message in the Bones – Book 1
Message in the Fire – Book 2
A note from Dawn Merriman,
Crap on a cracker, Gabby has come a long way from the lonely woman being made fun of at the coffee shop at the beginning of Book 1. It has been an honor to chronicle her journey and tell her story. She may have more adventures ahead of her at some point in the future, but I’m glad she is happy and has some answers for now. I hope I did Gabby justice. Thank you for following this adventure with me. My fans are the best in the world!
I can’t tell these stories without a great support team. The ending of this third novel had me stuck so many times, I really needed the support! As always, my husband is the best. He’s spent so many hours hashing over plot details with me, I can never thank him enough. Just venting to him about a part that has me stuck gets my creativity flowing and his questions let me see things from a different point of view.
My teenage son has been at home with me during the writing of this book and was assaulted with my angst over the tricky ending of this series. Thank you, Chase, for your honest comments and suggestions.
My beta readers really got a workout on this project. I ultimately wrote several versions of the ending and each of them patiently read them, then the next version, then discussed the merits of each, etc. Huge thank you to Lori Ream and her long conversations with me. She may know these characters better than I do at this point. Katie and Liz, your input was so helpful as always.
Leaving Gabby behind is bittersweet. I love all these characters and am sad to say good-bye. I’m also excited about future projects that have been swirling around in the back of my mind and want to be told.
I love hearing from fans. Please follow me and find out first about new books or interact with me on various topics by signing up for my newsletter at DawnMerriman.com. You can also e-mail me directly at [email protected].
If you have enjoyed any of my books, please leave a review. Reviews are very helpful to us authors.
As I’ve mentioned before, listening to music is a HUGE inspiration while I write. Here are a few songs that made a big impact on this book. Please support these artists.
Bloodstream, by Ed Sheeran (Gabby’s theme song)
You, by Candlebox
(Don’t fear) the Reaper, by Blue Oyster Cult
A Fifth of Beethoven, by Walter Murphy
The Final Countdown, by Europe
God Made a Woman, by Lauren Mascitti
To Make You Feel My Love, by Bob Dylan
A truly heartfelt thank you to all my fans and my team. Without you, I’m just a woman spending way too much time typing.
God Bless,
Dawn Merriman
DawnMerriman.com
riman, Message in the Grave
Message in the Grave Page 17