Joshua sighed. “I’m not a hero, Mr. Kensington; I’m a mess. I’m looking at spending time in jail, my girlfriend is dead, my face looks like raw hamburger, I’ve a healing gunshot wound, and I guess I’ve lost my job too.”
“You have my condolences on the death of Miss Kent. As for spending time in jail, that’s off the table. I’ve arranged a deal that would see you don’t get charged with breaking and entering into Miller’s home.”
“Are you serious?”
“I am. You never admitted to it since you were smart enough to not speak to the police, and the two people who claim it happened are far from trustworthy and have a reason to lie and defame you.” Kensington grinned. “It also doesn’t hurt that I’m a friend of the district attorney.”
Joshua straightened in his seat, as a weight was lifted off his shoulders. “They’re letting me go?”
“Not right away. They’re moving you to a safe house for a few days until they’re certain no one else is after you. Afterward, you’ll be free to go. And may I ask, what kind of work did you do?”
“I drove for People Pick-up.”
Kensington opened the file he had on Joshua and read it. “You have a degree in finance?”
“Yes.”
“I have a friend who’s looking for people to train for his business. He’s a financial advisor who has several offices throughout the state; one location is in your town. With your degree, you qualify to offer financial advice. I would guess you’d make more money. You’d also be assisting people in getting their finances straight.”
Joshua offered Kensington his hand. “Thank you for helping me; I’m not sure I deserve it.”
Eriksen was interested in Joshua’s unnamed companion. Tanner was never seen on camera and hadn’t spoken a word, but Miller and Naya had mentioned his presence and given a description. Miller also claimed that it was Tanner who’d killed Carter and Tibbetts, and that Joshua knew it was true. As for the note with the directions to the shack, he was tricked into writing that, and the rifle was planted in his trunk. No one believed his claims of innocence, although Naya did back up his alibi and placed him at the beach house during the time the murders took place. She was thought to be lying and it was suspected that she had been an accomplice.
The description Miller and Naya gave of Tanner was useless as he’d been wearing sunglasses and a hat. All Eriksen knew was that Joshua’s partner had been a white male who was probably in his thirties or forties. She would have thought it was Stark, except she’d been in contact with him by phone when Tanner and Joshua’s meeting with Miller and Naya had been taking place.
Speculation among Eriksen and her colleagues was that Tanner was an employee of one of Hexalcorp’s rivals, such as the Burke Corporation. There was no manhunt on for Tanner. As far as the law knew he’d committed no crimes other than brandishing a weapon when he’d entered the beach house. The FBI and other agencies had their hands full gathering evidence and prosecuting the men and women from Hexalcorp whom Miller named as part of the conspiracy to profit from the destruction of San Padre and other cities.
Members of the protest group Die Fistulous came out looking like fools when it was revealed publicly that Miller had come up with the name of the group by making it an anagram of the words Useful Idiots. Over fifty percent of their membership dropped out when it became clear they had been treated as pawns. The remaining members persevered with their efforts to bring about change.
They had a new name, one that Haley had favored. They called themselves The Fist, and their members were referred to as fingers. They had a new target to vent their wrath upon as well. They protested outside the corporate headquarters of Hexalcorp and the homes of Hexalcorp’s top executives. That was the least of Hexalcorp’s woes, as the government was auditing their books, there had been a mass exodus of employees who’d resigned, and the vendors the corporation dealt with refused to do business with them.
Miller would have company in prison, and the corporation named Hexalcorp would cease to exist.
30
Unsung Hero
While spending time with Caleb on his farm, Sara made a side trip to visit her Aunt Grace and Uncle Gary. Cody and the children came along, with the gathering taking place at Grace’s home in a senior citizens’ community.
Grace had seen the children months earlier but commented on how much they had grown. Uncle Gary, a professional gambler, had flown in from Las Vegas for the day.
After returning to Caleb’s farm, the Parker family stayed there for another few days before returning home. During that time, Cody had watched Caleb have a conversation with a visitor, FBI Agent Amanda Eriksen.
Cody had observed them talking outside from behind a window in the home’s living room. As they separated, he noticed that Eriksen touched his brother on the cheek.
When Caleb walked back into the house, he found Cody smiling at him.
“What’s with the big smile?”
“You and Eriksen, is there something going on there?”
“If you’re asking if we’re sleeping together, the answer is no.”
“She smiled a lot and I noticed that she caressed your cheek.”
“She was thanking me for handing her the Hexalcorp case. It made her look good with her bosses.”
“My wife was an FBI agent when I met her. Maybe yours will be too.”
“It’s not like that, Cody. Amanda and I are just friends.”
“Right,” Cody said. He was only teasing his brother, but he couldn’t help but wonder if there might be some truth to his words.
Franny was there to greet them when they returned home to Texas. The children ran to her, and Franny kissed them and gave them hugs. Lucky the dog was there to welcome them home as well. The dog charged at Cody, jumped up, and licked his face.
The next day, Cody and Sara were settled at the kitchen table and enjoying coffee. The children were off having a playdate with Steve and Ginny Mendez’s children, Wyatt, and Amelia. Franny sat beside Cody and pointed at a newspaper that was on the table. The paper’s headline concerned the Hexalcorp scandal.
“This never would have been exposed if it weren’t for you, Cody.”
“You can thank Joshua Mullins more than me.”
“Maybe so, but he wouldn’t have lived to talk if you hadn’t saved him.” Franny stared at Cody. “You… when you act as Tanner, that’s… well, from all I’ve heard you’re a killing machine, and your targets deserve no mercy. As yourself, as Cody, you show mercy and compassion. Joshua was lucky you found him, and I think you’re an unsung hero for what you did to help bring Hexalcorp down.” Franny leaned over and kissed Cody on the cheek. “You’re a hell of a man, and I’m fortunate to be considered part of this family.”
Cody stood and grabbed his denim jacket from the back of his chair. “I’m going to take a ride around the ranch and pay a visit to the training academy.”
After Cody left, Franny smiled at Sara. “He doesn’t take praise well. But I meant what I said. He’s a damn good man.”
“Oh, Cody appreciated the compliment, it’s just that he doesn’t let other people’s opinions of him sway him one way or another. And you’re right, my husband is a damn good man.”
Franny stared at Sara. “Tell me how you two met. You’ve both said that it wasn’t love at first sight, but I’ve a feeling that there’s quite a story there.”
Sara laughed. “That’s an understatement.”
Franny poured more coffee into her cup and grabbed a chocolate chip cookie from the stack of them she had placed in the center of the table.
“The kids aren’t here, and I’m caught up on the housework. If you’re ready to tell the story, I’m ready to listen.”
“It’s not a fun story, and not one I tell many people. It also involves one of the darkest periods of my life.”
“Sara, if it’s too personal, just say so, and I’ll mind my own business.”
Sara covered Franny’s hand with one of her own. �
�I’ll tell you. I think maybe it will help you to understand what a miracle it is that Cody and I have been able to make a life together. And like you said, you’re family.”
Sara began telling the story. “Before I met Cody, I was in love with a man named Brian Ames.”
Franny listened with rapt attention. And over cookies and coffee, the past was revealed.
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Copyright © REMINGTON KANE, 2021
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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
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