by Laura Greene
“And no one ever suspected it?”
Amy pushes Nick over to where Tina is standing and points her gun at both of them. “How could they? I was just an innocent nurse, turned wealthy wife, turned school principal. Everyone in town loves me. They would never suspect anything.”
“But we did.”
“And that’s why I have to take care of you now.”
“What makes you think we won’t run?” Nick says, adrenaline rushing and without thinking of his words first.
“Look, I have the gun here. This is not the time for bargaining. I tried to warn you to back off at your house Tina.”
“That was you?” Tina already knew this from Barnes’ car description, but she plays along with Amy’s plan.
“Yes, I sent Charlie in to rough you up a little, but I have to give it to you, you’re one tough lady.”
“You knew Charlie’s father was sick. Why would you viciously go after a sick man?”
“Urgh. Everyone thinks he was so innocent. The man was in a cult, he tried to kill his wife for goodness sake. I was doing the world a favor to get rid of him.” She reminisces for a moment, “It was the perfect plan really. I wanted his wealth to supply the lifestyle I deserve and he wanted to to be told that he was doing the right thing. It was a win-win situation.”
“You make me sick.” Nick says, then he spits on the ground.
“Oh please, don’t act so holy like you’ve never done something you’re not proud of to get what you want.”
“I work hard.” He retorts. Tina places her hand on his shoulder to calm him. She wants to hear what Amy has to say for herself.
“That’s why you’re still struggling. Just face it, I played the game well and I won. You can imagine with Charlie Senior’s business, I didn’t need the job as a principal. It was my cover, while I waited for Charlie to turn thirty.”
“Why thirty?” Tina asks.
“There was some pesky clause in the will that said all the money would be in Charlie’s name until he turned thirty, then it would go to his carer in the event of his death.”
“So, his father knew that Charlie had the same disease and wanted to make sure he at least had a quality life leading up to when the disease took him?”
“Yeah, yeah,” Amy rolls her eyes, “and he was a royal pain in the butt just like his father. But, good things come to those who wait, and I quite fancy thinking that I have earned it. After I take care of you two, I plan to retire on a lovely beach on Martha’s Vineyard island. Call it my Christmas present.”
“But that’s where you messed up,” Nick says, “Charlie’s thirtieth birthday isn’t until March.”
“Yeah, what are you going to do now that you killed Charlie? There goes your inheritance.” Tina mocks.
“You think I don’t know that? I had to be his fake mother all these years. The company handling the estate is in Wyoming, they won’t know the wiser. I’ll just say Charlie is bed ridden and wait to announce his death until March.” Amy directs Nick and Tina to the ledge. “Now go, you’re wasting my time. Quickly!”
“Amy, you don’t want to do this. How are you going to kill a detective and a chaplain?”
“I don’t have to explain anything. You already gave me an out. See, you found out Charlie abducted me from the mansion, which I threw you in by the way. You came to stop him. He threw me to the side, shot you both with this gun.” She waves the gun in the air. “And at the last moment, heroic Detective James over here shot him in the heart just as he shot himself in the head and fell off the ledge. When you’re both dead, I’m going to plant this gun in Charlie’s hand and make it look like one big showdown where I’m the only survivor. The poor lone widow.” Amy points her gun at Tina. “He’ll be easy.”
Tina exchanges a knowing look with Nick. “But Amy, you forgot someone else.”
“Who?”
“Drop your gun!” A loud, bellowing voice shouts from behind Amy. It’s Barnes.
“Huh?” Amy turns around right as Barnes body slams her to the ground and sends her gun flying across the floor.
“I’ve always wanted to do that.”
Nick and Tina laugh, “I couldn’t be more glad to see you, Partner.” Tina says, extending her gratitude. “Did you catch all of that?”
“Every last word. Little lady here will be going away for a very long time.” He turns to Amy, who is still laying on the ground, “You may want to cancel that trip to Martha’s Vineyard.” Then he reads her Miranda rights.
Epilogue
“How did Barnes know to come help us?” Nick asks. He and Tina walk back to her car after they fill Barnes in on the rest of the case.
“Remember when we arrived and you stepped out of the car first?”
“Yeah?”
“Well I messaged Barnes and asked him to send backup.”
“But how did you know we’d need help?”
“It’s a detective thing. Anyway, he said he would come personally. And he did!”
“Are there any other secrets I should know about you?” Nick says, then he holds her closely.
“Only that I keep good secrets.” Tina smiles and they kiss.
*
After Amy was taken to court, she got life in prison and consequently lost her job. Nick was asked to take over the school as the adjunct principal, then he later stayed on as the school principal.
Tina took a short break to travel around the world with Nick, then she asked Tim for a mini retirement where she would focus on remote cases in Rhode Island and Martha’s Vineyard island. She now works closely with Barnes.
Her and Nick got married at the school with all their loved ones present, and started a family, shortly after. They are currently expecting their first baby, a girl.
Ella returned to school after Christmas break, when she received news that her tormentors were captured. She is looking forward to starting college in the Fall.
Olsen is currently working part-time, running the CCTV room and his dad, the senator, now spends more time with him after losing his re-election.
All is well again in Newport. Hartford Boarding School has healed from the nightmare they experienced last school year. The school is enjoying a slight repose in Newport before a new mystery arises.
Want more? Click here to start reading my new series A Disappearance Mystery Thriller: The Father’s Disappearance (Book 1) on Amazon now!
Also by Laura Greene
A Wild Cove Mystery Series
Murder At Wild Cove Book 1
Susan Dern is Missing Book 2
The Demise of Tom Hendry Book 3
The Past Life of Jane Scott Book 4
The Hooded Figure Book 5
Behind The Crime Series
The Secret Room Book 1
The Houston Party Book 2
The Unclaimed Dead Book 3
Frozen In Time Book 4
Harlan’s Secret Book 5
A Boarding Case Mystery Series
The Deadly School Book 1
Buried in the Dark Book 2
Close to Her Killer Book 3
Grave Danger Book 4
Hunt The Judge Book 5
A Disappearance Mystery Thriller Series
The Father’s Disappearance Book 1
What Everyone Knew Book 2
Follow The Dark Tale Book 3
Going To Find Father Book 4
Who Do You Trust Now? Book 5
The Father’s Tale Book 6
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About the Author
Laura Greene is an international bestselling Murder Mystery author. She loves the outdoors. Hiking, exploring new adventures in nature and spending time with her family make for some of her favorite moments in life. When she’s not writing a new M
ystery, Thriller & Suspense, she loves to connect with her readers whom she considers her friends. Join Laura Greene on Facebook.
