‘We also have lots of enquiries for bookings on the annexe.’ She sent him a cherubic smile. ‘Who am I to deny these thrill ghouls their five minutes of reflected glory? Only problem is, a lot of them have mentioned His Lordship.’ She nodded towards Cosmo, stretched full length in front of the fire. ‘They want to know if there will be photo opportunities. Can you imagine how that would go down?’ Alexi shuddered. ‘Blood will be spilled.’
‘I doubt it. He likes being a celebrity. My money’s on him behaving impeccably.’
‘I admire your optimism.’ She pulled a doubtful face and wriggled into a more comfortable position. ‘Anyway, Marcel has promised us the best Christmas lunch in living memory to thank us for clearing his name.’
‘He’s not still being nice to people is he?’ Ty asked, feigning alarm. ‘That goes completely against the grain.’
Alexi chuckled. ‘Don’t worry, he’s back to shouting and throwing his weight about.’
‘Normal service resumed then. Thank heavens for that.’
‘What about Greta and Guy?’ Alexi asked. ‘Any news from the CPS yet?’
‘It looks like it will be probation for them both,’ Ty replied. ‘Ben Avery has arranged for Greta to talk to a shrink about the scars left by Juliette’s treatment of her during their school years. The shrink’s report will weigh heavily with the judge when it comes to sentencing. There’s also the small matter of them turning themselves in voluntarily only a couple of days into the investigation due to guilty consciences.’ Ty made quote marks round the last two words with his fingers. ‘But I could still throttle you for voluntarily going with her when you knew she was involved with Juliette’s death.’
‘Yeah well, once a journalist.’
‘Alexi!’
‘Honestly, Ty, you’re always talking about your instincts. Well, in this situation, I used mine. I had my phone with me and just didn’t sense any hostility in Greta. Besides, I can defend myself, especially against another woman.’
Ty snorted. ‘Come at it whichever way you like, she covered up a death and tried to frame someone for murder. I still have nightmares when I think what she could have done to you.’
‘Well, she didn’t. Cut the girl some slack, Ty. She’s had some bad breaks. We all have our demons and Greta hadn’t been able to get past hers, until now.’
‘Yeah, you’re right.’ She sensed some of the fight drain out of Ty. ‘Anyway, going back to Vickery, once he got over his annoyance at having his time wasted, he’s been sympathetic to Greta’s cause. Besides, it looks good for him that he solved such a high profile case, even if technically it was us that did it for him.’
‘Why didn’t the police notice that the tape had been doctored?’
Ty shrugged. ‘Reduced resources. Some civilian watched it all, made sure the time stamps looked genuine and that was all the urgency it was given. The tech guys would have got to it eventually but they had other priorities.’
‘Well, at least Greta and Guy found each other again and Greta can finally put the past behind her.’
‘I still have trouble with the fact that she tried to frame Marcel. That was downright wicked.’
‘Yeah, but he was a bad boy for overstepping the mark with Juliette. As for Greta and Guy, the media are clamouring for their story and I’ve promised to write it for them once their case has gone to court.’
‘Which means they’ll get public sympathy.’
‘Yep, and I figure both will get job offers rolling in after that. And, just so that you’re aware, I shall make my story balanced and paint Juliette in a not entirely bad light. Just because she was a poor little rich girl doesn’t mean she had it easy. I mean, we’ve both met her father.’
‘True.’ Ty stroked her hair. ‘Do Greta and Guy deserve public acclaim after what they did?’
‘They are not career criminals, Ty. I honestly believe Greta was not entirely of sound mind when she staged Juliette’s death and I have some sympathy for her. I did a feature on the long-term effects of bullying once and you wouldn’t believe the scars it leaves. Anyway, everyone deserves a second chance.’
‘Okay, if you say so.’
‘I do.’
‘Right, so we’ve solved the case and fixed Greta and Guy’s futures. That means you have no further excuses to delay making a decision about us.’
‘What do you have in mind?’
Ty’s expression turned serious. ‘I want to be a full time presence in your life, Alexi. No half measures.’
Alexi sat up and sent him a look of genuine astonishment. She had wondered what he had planned but hadn’t stopped to consider the live-in possibility. ‘You want to move in with me?’
‘She’s pretty slow to catch on, isn’t she, Cosmo?’
The cat opened one piercing hazel eye, regarded Ty lazily for a moment or two, and then closed it again.
Alexi laughed. ‘He’s sitting on the fence.’
‘But I’m not. I never say anything I don’t mean. I’m not Patrick and I won’t hurt you.’
‘Except that every time you come into my life, a dead body turns up.’
‘Stop avoiding the issue. I’m in love with you, Alexi. There, I’ve said it.’ He fixed her with an intent look. ‘Don’t you have anything to say to me in return?’
Oh yeah, she had plenty to say. She loved him right back, had known it for a while, but was way better with the written word than she’d ever be with the spoken one. Besides, she figured that actions spoke louder than words in any form so silenced him with a searing kiss.
The End
About the Author
Hi, I do hope you enjoyed the Deadline Boxset. If so, please take a moment to leave a review on the site you purchased it from. I’d love to hear what you thought of this particular novel – what you enjoyed most about it and what you didn’t like. Constructive criticism is always welcome.
Reach me at [email protected]
I was brought up on the Isle of Wight, off the Hampshire coast of southern England, surrounded by castles, stately homes and history at every turn. I must have unwittingly absorbed the historic atmosphere because I write mostly about bygone days, living vicariously alongside my strong heroes and independently-minded heroines.
When not letting my imagination flow over a hot keyboard I spend my time walking my beloved dog – a rescued mutt of indeterminate pedigree – and make half-hearted efforts to hold back the years through regular visits to the gym.
Follow me on Twitter @wendyswriter
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Check out all my books on my website: http://www.wendysoliman.com or on my Amazon author page http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001JJ5WRC
Regency and Victorian Series
Mrs Darcy Entertains Series
Miss Bingley’s Revenge
Colonel Fitzwilliam’s Dilemma
Miss Darcy’s Passion
Kitty Bennet’s Despair
Lydia Wickham’s Journal
Pemberley: The Next Generation Series
Emma Bingley’s Romantic Nature
Naomi Sanford’s Compassionate Nature
Bella Darcy’s Impulsive Nature
Eleanor Bingley’s Rebellious Nature
Rosie Turner’s Contrary Nature
Susie Darcy’s Tenacious Nature
Ducal Encounters Series One
At the Duke’s Discretion
With the Duke’s Approval
Portrait of a Duke
For the Duke’s Pleasure
In the Duke’s Estimation
Captivating the Duke
Ducal Encounters Series Two
Reunited with the Duke
Christmas with the Duke
Representing the Duke
Safeguarding the Duke
Acting for the Duke
Emulating the duke
Ducal Encounters Series Three
Conspiring with the Duke
Dedicated to the Duke
Impug
ning the Duke’s Honour
By Order of the Duke
The Forsters
Compromising the Marquess
Beguiling the Barrister
Finessing the Contessa
Romancing the Runaway
Victorian Vigilantes Series
Saving Grace
Heirs and Graces
With Good Grace
Fall From Grace
Social Graces
Elegance and Grace
Riley Rochester Investigates Series
Death of a Debutante
Death of a Courtesan
Death of a Prosecutor
Death of a Scoundrel
Perceptions Series
A Sense of Belonging
Stand-Alone Regencies
To Defy a Duke
The Duke’s Legacy
Lady Hartley’s Inheritance
Duty’s Destiny
A Duke by Default
A Scandalous Proposition
Of Dukes and Deceptions
The Perfect Impostor
Forgotten Heiress
For Want of a Reputation
Christmas at Castleray
Ava’s Passion
Lady Mysterious
Divided Loyalties
Disinherited
Game of Dukes
Contemporary Titles
The Deadline Series
A Date to Die For
A Contest to Kill For
The Hunter Files
Unfinished Business
Risky Business
Lethal Business
Stand-Alone Contemporaries
Topspin
Downsizing
A Class Apart
Shalimar
Silver Lining
The Name of the Game
The Deadline Series Boxset Page 54