by Dee Ernst
I shook my head. “No. When they went to arrest him the next day, he was gone. A few suitcases missing, the front door unlocked.”
He let out a low whistle. “Wow. Did Sam get in any trouble?”
I shook my head again. “No. After all, he told the DA the truth, that he’d taken a walk, looked at the snow, and realized that Beth would have been clearly visible in the snow, and that James’ story about hitting her accidentally was probably a lie. He just didn’t say how long he waited before figuring it out and telling. And the DA had the same information, and somebody else could have drawn the same conclusions, they just didn’t.”
Marc nodded thoughtfully. “But you did?”
I swallowed. “Yes.”
“And you told Sam?”
“Yes.”
“Would he have figured it out on his own?”
I dropped my eyes and stared at my feet. “Probably. Sam is a very smart guy. And he’s a good cop.”
“Yes, but…” He sighed. “I’m so sorry, Ellie. That must have been just awful for you. Have you seen Shelly?”
I felt my eyes fill with tears and blinked them away. “No. I’ve tried to call and text, and I even walked down and knocked on her door.” I had to clear my throat. “What else could I do, Marc?”
He pushed Boot to the side and leaned forward, putting his elbows on his knees. “There was nothing else, Ellie, you know that and Shelly does too.”
I looked up at him. “Yeah.”
“And Sam had to do what he did. It’s not just his job, it’s part of who he is. I don’t know him well, but that was a secret he never could have kept.”
“Yeah. You’re right. It just…hurts. Shelly and I are never going to be the same.”
“Give her time. She’s been your friend for a lot longer than she was with James.”
“Yes, but she gave up everything for him. Her marriage, even the boys. They want to live with Mike, did you know? And to find out that he killed somebody, and then have me…”
“Hey. You’re a good person. Ellie. She’ll realize how important you are to her.”
I smiled thinly. “Thanks.”
“Is Sam coming tonight?”
I nodded. “In a bit.”
“Want me to stay until then?”
“Oh, no, Marc, don’t worry about me. The girls are here, no snow for the next week, and I’ve got a new client, Glory, whose career I have to figure out. I’ll be fine.”
He stood up. “I know you’ll be fine. I was just asking if you wanted company.”
I stood up and hugged him, long and hard. “Thanks, Marc. No, you go one over to Lou’s.” I pulled back and looked at him, eyebrows raised. “I’m sure she’s got quite the welcome home planned.”
He laughed and turned slightly red. “I’m sure she does.” He walked over to the door and put on his coat, then kissed me on the forehead. “See you later.”
I opened the door and watched him walk to his car, and as he did, Sam’s Suburban turned onto the street. I stood on the cold porch, hugging myself for warmth, until Sam got out and bounded up to the front door.
“Are you okay? Why are you standing out here in the cold?”
“I’m great,” I told him, going inside. “Marc just left, and I saw you coming up the street and thought I’d stand there and wait for you.”
He narrowed his eyes. “But, in the cold?”
I took a deep breath. “I love you too, Sam.”
He stared, then smiled softly. “I’m so glad,” he said. “That makes things so much simpler.”
I grinned. “You think? Gee, here I am, imagining all sorts of complications.”
He threw back his head and laughed. “Yes, of course you would, Ellie. Of course you would. But maybe, just for the next few days, we can pretend?”
I threw my arms around his neck and gave him a kiss. “Okay. Maybe. For the next few days anyway.”
And that’s what we did.
Also by Dee Ernst
Am I Zen Yet?
Better Than Your Dreams
A Slight Change of Plan
A Different Kind of Forever
Better Off Without Him
MORE MT. ABRAMS MYSTERIES
* * *
A Mother’s Day Murder
A Founders’ Day Death
A Killer Halloween
A Deadly New Year
