Michael looked wonderful, and my bridesmaids, Selena and Isabelle, were beautiful. I felt my own tears coming as I saw Michael’s watery eyes when we said our vows. A few months ago I thought this day would never come.
I saw Vanessa only once after the ordeal she put us through. Trying to be civil to her was one of the most difficult feats I have ever attempted in my life, so I wasn’t. Michael wasn’t home, so I had no choice but to take Sean out to her car after one of his weekend visits. Once he was inside we had a very short exchange of words.
She glared. “Getting all ready to marry my husband, are you?”
I smiled at her. “Yes, as a matter of fact I am. Oh, and Vanessa? Don’t hold your breath waiting for an invitation in the mail.” I couldn’t help adding “Bitch.”
She started to respond but intelligently decided against it and got into her car fuming instead. Michael decided after that he would make every effort to be there when she arrived to pick up Sean. I agreed that would be best.
When the minister declared us Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hagerman, Michael lifted me off the ground and we kissed. It was a short one; we couldn’t help laughing in conjunction with the kids’ loud giggles.
Later on in the evening, Michael and I had our first moment alone. He was still beaming.
“I still can’t believe you’re finally my wife. I swear, as God is my witness, I never, ever thought this would happen.”
“Oh ye of little faith. Things always work out. I love you.”
We shared the kiss that was interrupted during the ceremony. After Michael went back to our guests, who had just finished dinner, I stepped outside onto the patio to get some fresh air.
I shivered at the brisk, cold air that met my skin, skin that wasn’t covered much by my strapless dress. I walked over to a small cement wall that encased the patio to prevent anyone from falling off the edge down the steep hill.
I looked down at the mass of woods below and thought back to Mary Jane Hendrickson. She was buried down there, peacefully now, with her son. Her murder was one of the most humbling cases I have ever worked in my career.
“Sleep well, you two,” I whispered into the cold, dark night.
As I turned to walk back inside, a faraway sound caught my attention. I looked back down to the woods and, for a brief moment, I thought I could hear a baby crying in the distance.
I’m sure it was only my imagination.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I’d like to thank the usual suspects: my agent, Claire, editor, Don, and friends and family who supported me through these endeavors. Most importantly, to the residents of Richland County, Mansfield, Ohio for keeping the legend of Mary Jane alive and always giving us a good ghost story to tell outsiders.
RAVE REVIEWS FOR STACY DITTRICH’S CHILLING DEBUT, THE DEVIL’S CLOSET!
“Twists, turns and non-stop action.”
—The Mansfield News Journal
“Dittrich explores every parent’s nightmare in this chilling police procedural. The drama is intense and the plot terrifying as Dittrich’s police detective heroine leads readers through an intricate maze set to entrap her. CeeCee Gallagher is a highly complex heroine whose private life is in shambles but whose dedication to the job is impeccable.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews
“Stacy Dittrich is an absolute master at devising and then executing a story that is not only realistic but downright chilling. Dittrich’s law enforcement background, coupled with her command of descriptive adjectives, made it nearly impossible for me to put The Devil’s Closet down. She captured the ultimate fear and terrifying reality of a child sexual victim at the hands of a heinous predator.”
—Robin Sax, Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney—Sex Crimes Division, author of Everything Parents Need to Know about Predators and Molesters
“CeeCee Gallagher is the real McCoy—gritty and tough, but with smooth edges. She embodies what a true detective needs to be.”
—Andrew Peterson, author of First to Kill
“A terrific thriller.”
—Midwest Book Review
“The Devil’s Closet is a valid debut from a woman who speaks from experience.”
—Bookgasm
OTHER LEISURE BOOKS BY STACY DITTRICH
THE DEVIL’S CLOSET
COPYRIGHT
A LEISURE BOOK®
May 2009
Published by
Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc.
200 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
Copyright © 2009 by Stacy Dittrich
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E-ISBN: 978-1-4285-0670-1
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