“All right. Thanks, Riley.”
* * * *
Several weeks later, while Marissa continued to work through and overcome what she had done, the coroner and Sergeant Miller came to talk with her again. “Please have a seat,” she told them.
Sergeant Miller spoke first. “Ms. Simpson, we’re here today to tell you we will not be filing any charges against you. Based on the findings at autopsy, your history with the deceased, the angle of the bullet, and the circumstances of the incident, we believe that your ex-husband fully intended to harm you and that you acted in self-defense.”
Marissa let out a deep breath. “Okay.”
The coroner then spoke. “The toxicology report showed that the deceased had high levels of alcohol and cocaine in his blood. In addition to that, there was significant narrowing of the arteries, which is often seen in cases of chronic cocaine use. There’s no telling what he would’ve done or how he would’ve behaved if you hadn’t defended yourself. I believe that he was suffering from Excited Delirium. It’s a fairly new condition that has been on the rise in this country, where someone shoots up cocaine or drinks alcohol, and in this case, he did both, and they get excited and have delusional thoughts. They are also known to have tremendous strengths and their heart beats harder and harder. We saw needle marks on his arms, and we found one that was pretty recent. No doubt, he would have caused you some serious harm if you had not been able to defend yourself against him.”
“I’m not surprised by the alcohol and drugs found in his body. I’ve never heard of Excited Delirium, but it certainly seems to explain how wild and agitated he was,” Marissa remarked.
“Also, the deceased’s father came and claimed the body.”
“Okay, good. I didn’t want to have to make any arrangements for him. I hated the man, but I didn’t want him dead.”
“When his father came to claim the body, he was extremely angry. He wanted to know what happened to his son. I explained how he died, and then I directed him to the sheriff’s department,” the coroner said.
“I wasn’t in the office when he dropped by the sheriff’s department, but just so you know, he was pretty upset.” Sergeant Miller advised Marissa. “Apparently, he threatened to sue all of us for not doing our jobs and bringing the killer to justice.”
That was odd. He was usually very congenial and soft-spoken. She didn’t remember ever seeing him lose his temper or get upset about anything. Maybe he was acting out of grief. Mark was his only child.
* * * *
Summer slowly faded and fall was settling in. Things were getting back to normal. One afternoon, Campbell brought some sapphires into Southerlyn’s to be treated. While Marissa was talking to Campbell, Heidi and her kids showed up to visit and were looking around the jewelry store. Mrs. Buell walked in, and Marissa was wondering why everyone was showing up. Soon, her friend Barb showed up, and then the mayor walked in. Next Casey, Jack, and Miles arrived in the store. The firefighters arrived, and a few of Riley’s deputies came in. It was so crowded that no one could move, and everyone was talking all at once. Soon, Riley arrived at the store and smiled as he made his way to Marissa.
“Riley, what’s going on?” Marissa asked him, almost whispering.
“Come here, sweetheart,” Riley said tenderly.
Everyone stopped talking and stood around them with smiles on their faces. Riley got down on one knee and lost his balance. He rolled over on the floor.
“You need me to hold you up, Sheriff?” Campbell asked.
The room burst out in laughter, and Riley’s face turned red.
“I think I can do it.” He got back on one knee.
Riley grasped her hand.
“Marissa, will you marry me?”
She looked blankly at Riley, then at Campbell, and then at all the people around them that were smiling and waiting for her to respond. She stood speechless for a few minutes and then looked back at Riley. He was still down on one knee, waiting patiently while she tried to comprehend what was happening.
Finally, she took one more sweeping look around the room and then flashed a large smile and threw her hands around Riley’s neck. “Yes. Yes. Yes. I’ll marry you.”
“I love you, Marissa.”
“I love you too, Riley. The boy I had a secret crush on as a child, and the man I grew to love.”
Everyone let out a hoot and holler as Riley stood up and claimed Marissa’s lips with his own.
About Constance Bretes
Constance Bretes is an author of contemporary romance and suspense. Her romance books are often set in different parts of the country, but her favorite site is Montana. She retired from the State of Michigan after 38-plus years of service and now writes and researches full time. She is married to her best friend and has recently moved from Michigan to Montana. Her hobbies are basket weaving, sapphire digging, and checking out old ghost towns.
Constance’s Website:
www.constancebretes.com
Reader eMail:
[email protected]
More Beachwalk Press Titles by Constance Bretes
Delayed Justice
The Last Dig
Love Songs
Book of Love
Jarillo Sunset
Delayed Justice
Can two former lovers set aside their differences and work together to bring a criminal to justice?
Five years ago, Sami Parker’s life was changed forever when she was injured in a bombing incident which left another young woman dead—a woman who happened to be the fiancée of Sheriff Makeeta Robertson, Sami’s former lover. Initially, Sami was a suspect in the crime, but the sheriff was forced to release her due to a lack of evidence. The town, convinced that she got away with murder, turned against her.
At last an arrest has been made and the sheriff needs Sami’s help to get a conviction, but can she trust him? Although wary and cautious, she wants to see this man brought to justice and wants to clear her own name once and for all. But the awakening feelings she has for Makeeta bring yet another problem. Then there’s the secret she’s kept for the last five years—one she may not be able to keep any longer, and one that may change the outcome of the trial.
Content Warning: contains some sexual content
The Last Dig
Bones, bodies, and a love rekindled.
Paleontologist Caroline Priest is shocked when she finds a dead body at her dig site. When she calls it in to the sheriff’s department, her former boyfriend, Rand Callahan, comes out to investigate. The evidence quickly starts to point to Caroline being the killer, and Rand has no choice but to arrest her.
It’s clear to Caroline that she’s been set up, but by who and for what reason? While Caroline is out on bail, Rand rekindles his relationship with her as they try to solve the mystery before it’s too late.
Content Warning: contains some sexual content
Jarillo Sunset
When two strangers meet on a lonely road is it mere coincidence or fate?
Real estate agent Char Johnson is on her way to meet a client when she gets a flat tire. It’s a meeting she can’t afford to miss since she’s just been told she may be out of a job if she doesn’t beat out a co-worker in sales over the next few months. When Vincent Carter stops and helps her, she’s grateful beyond words and is determined to pay him back for his kindness, which is how she ends up agreeing to be his date to a wedding.
Ever since his divorce Vincent has been on a hiatus from relationships, and he’s perfectly happy with that. He’s not looking to get involved with anyone, but he does need a date for a wedding.
Although the two discover they enjoy each other’s company, and there is definitely an attraction, with their schedules it would be difficult to find time to pursue anything. Vincent works two jobs, and Char is working extra hours to save her own job. Then there’s the conniving ex who seems determined to win Vincent back, a whole slew of family drama for both of them, and the list goes on. The obstacles in their way see
m to grow by the minute.
And even if they could overcome those, Char may not be able to overcome her own insecurities, not to mention her intense dislike for Vincent’s profession. Her father’s gambling addiction destroyed their family, so for her to now get involved with someone who works at a casino…
Will Char be destined to be alone forever? Or can the handsome Native American she met by chance break through her walls and ease the loneliness in her life?
Content Warning: contains some sexual content
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