Maggie Lee | Book 28 | The Hitwoman Pays A Debt

by Lynn, JB

  “Maggie?” Griswald’s voice came through the phone.

  “I found Alan Chilton,” I told him.

  “Stay away from him,” Griswald said. “He could be very dangerous.”

  I quickly told him that I was at the cemetery and that Alan and Cheever were arguing.

  “I’m on my way,” Griswald said. “Stay out of it, Maggie. Stay safe.”

  I disconnected the call and peered out past the headstone at the two arguing men. Alan started to walk away from Cheever when the other man pulled a gun out.

  “Oh no.” God, perched on my shoulder, gasped.

  Alan raised his hands in the universal sign of surrender.

  “I have to get closer,” I said.

  “Eavesdrop, eavesdrop, eavesdrop,” Benny urged softly.

  I put him down on the ground, and he raced off toward the two men. Trying to use the row of stones as cover, I approached them more slowly.

  “I’m done keeping the secret,” Alan Chilton was saying as I grew closer.

  “You’ll never prove it,” Cheever retorted.

  “Maybe not,” Alan said. “But I’d like to think that somebody else will be able to.”

  “I can’t let you do that.”

  “You can’t stop me, Marshal,” Alan told him. “If nothing else, maybe it will give the family of the judge some peace.”

  I frowned, wondering what that meant.

  Changing his tact, Cheever wheedled, “Your mother wouldn’t want this.”

  “My mother would have wanted to live,” Alan roared.

  “You’ll ruin me,” the U.S. Marshal said pitifully. “My career, my reputation, my family.”

  “You should have thought of that before having an affair with my mom.”

  I gasped, realizing he was accusing the other man of having a relationship with his dead mother.

  “Oh, I wasn’t expecting that,” God whispered to me.

  Ignoring him, I tried to concentrate on the conversation between the two men.

  “We had no idea your father knew,” Cheever insisted.

  “I believe that.” Alan lowered his hands, putting them in his pockets. “He’s a sneaky devil of a man.”

  “And I didn’t know at first that he was the one that planted the bomb,” Cheever insisted.

  “Of course not,” Alan agreed. “He was trying to kill you, too. The judge was just collateral damage. He told me so. But then you did figure it out and instead of bringing him to justice, you covered it up. Worse than that, you blackmailed him.”

  “I did a lot of good with my career,” Cheever’s voice cracked. “You’re going to destroy it all, for what? It won’t bring your mother back. Your father’s dying.”

  “But he will still face the consequences,” Alan said angrily. “That’s what I want. I want justice for my mother. I’m going to go and call the police. I’m going to tell them what I know. What my father confessed to me. I’ll leave it to them to put together the pieces, make the case, and charge my dad….and you.”

  “No.”

  Alan glared at the other man. “You brought this on yourself. You had an affair with my mother. My father found out, stole her keys, snuck into the courthouse, planted the bomb and killed her. You figured it out and covered it up. You let her murderer run loose for decades rather than have the truth come out. You profited off her death.”

  “I can’t let you do this?” Cheever insisted.

  “What are you going to do to stop me? Kill me?”

  “If I have to,” Cheever admitted.

  I saw the fear that passed over Alan’s face and realized that, like me, he believed the other man.

  I couldn’t just let an innocent man who wanted justice for his mother’s death be murdered.. I had to do something. I jumped to my feet. “Alan!” I said, waving at him and forcing a smile on my face.

  Both men turned to face me.

  “I can’t believe we ran into each other again, here,” I gushed with false cheer, pretending not to notice the fact that Cheever was holding a gun.

  “Not now, Betty,” Alan said, trying to wave me away.

  “But I have to tell you something,” I said, continuing toward him. I intentionally did not even glance in Cheever’s direction. Hoping that he wouldn’t find me a threat, I kept my attention focused on Alan. “I was thinking about what you said at dinner.”

  “Shut up,” Cheever roared.

  Startled, I glanced over at him, acting like I was noticing the gun for the first time. I gasped and took a step back, intentionally placing myself between the gunman and his target.

  “You’re going to get us killed,” God whispered in my ear.

  I couldn’t exactly tell him that I was trying to keep Alan alive.

  “What a mess this is,” Cheever muttered. “But this will work out to my advantage,” he said, nodding. “I can kill the girl, and then claim to have killed you in an attempt to save her,” he said, nodding slowly as his plan coalesced in his mind. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a second gun, and I realized he had a decent chance of actually pulling his crazy scenario off. If he killed me with one, and then killed Alan with the other, would there really be anybody who would question the outcome? Would Griswald? Or would he assume I’d gotten in over my head?

  “Sorry about this, ma’am,” he said, nodding at me and aiming the second gun at my head.

  “Help!” a voice snarled. Before any of us knew what was happening, DeeDee launched herself in the air, chomping down on Cheever’s wrist.

  He screamed, whether from fear or pain, I don’t know, but he and the dog fell to the ground.

  “Get the gun!” God urged.

  “Here! Here! Here!” Benny squeaked, drawing my attention to where one of the guns had gone flying. I dove for it, picked it up, and aimed it at the two figures rolling around on the ground. DeeDee was snarling, but not releasing the man. He was punching her, trying to get her to let go.

  “DeeDee, off,” I ordered.

  The dog reluctantly released her target and retreated to my side. Shaking, I held the gun with two hands, pointing it at my would-be killer.

  “It’s okay, Maggie,” a familiar voice said. “I’ve got this.”

  Glancing over, I saw that standing beside a dazed-looking Alan Chilton was Griswald.

  He had his weapon leveled at his old colleague. “I guess we finally closed this case.”

  39

  I was late to the party.

  Then again, so was the guest of honor, so Aunt Susan couldn’t get too angry at me. Besides, I’m pretty sure that I saw her smirk when she saw my brown dress.

  Katie insisted that I pick her up the moment I walked in the door, so that people could see the leaf on top of the tree, as she put it.

  I tried not to groan as I lifted her. I was still pretty sore from my tussle with Lynette.

  Griswald smiled politely at everyone and made the rounds thanking each attendee for showing up, but I noticed that he kept glancing over at me. He seemed amazed that I’d been able to help him close his case.

  Alan Chilton, who I’d last seen at the cemetery, had been grateful for my interference, even though I’d lied to him about who I was. All in all, it had been a good day. I’d helped to catch a serial killer, saved the life of a dentist and a locksmith, and made it to the party.

  Armani grabbed my hands as soon as I put Katie down and examined my wounds.

  “I knew it had to do with fingers,” she muttered.

  “I thought it had to do with surfing,” I teased her.

  She shook her head. “I’m glad you’re okay.” She didn’t even bother to introduce me to her date, which told me that the new guy, while very handsome, wasn’t going to be around long.

  Glancing around the room, which was mostly made up of strangers that Griswald had worked with, I saw that Leslie and Miss Lassalan were deep in conversation, Templeton and Loretta were the only couple dancing, and Susan and Griswald were walking around arm-in-arm, playing the host
and hostess.

  After I’d made a point of saying hello to everyone, I found Zeke at my elbow. He offered me a plate of finger sandwiches and a handful of napkins emblazoned with Griswald’s face.

  “Need some air?” he asked.

  I nodded gratefully. Together, we walked outside.

  “I heard it went well.” He glanced down at my hand. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  I nodded.

  “I have to leave town,” he told me.

  I frowned. “For how long?” I missed my friend when he wasn’t around.

  He shrugged. “It’s work.”

  “Darlene?” I asked.

  He shook his head.

  I hated myself for inquiring about my AWOL sister, but I still asked, “Do you know how she is?”

  He shook his head again. “I’m sorry. I don’t.”

  “It’s okay,” I told him. “If she wanted us to know, all she would have to do is get in touch.”

  We stood in silence for a long moment. “It’s a nice party,” he said finally.

  “Susan seems pleased,” I agreed.

  “I’ve got to go, Maggie,” he said sadly. I stared up at him, seeing the regret etched on his face. My heart squeezed.

  “Maybe I could talk to Whitehat,” I suggested. “I’m in her good graces right now.”

  He shook his head. “No, this is one I really do have to handle myself.”

  He kissed my cheek and said, “I’d tell you to stay out of trouble, but I know you’re not capable of that.”

  We both grinned. “Stay safe, Maggie,” he said. “An awful lot of people depend on you.”

  With a reluctant wave, he walked away. I stood there for a long time in the back of the building, all by myself.

  “He’ll be back,” God promised me from his hiding spot in my bra.

  “I hope so,” I said.

  Standing there, I watched the last stragglers arrive for the party. Ian and his girlfriend, Kristen, wearing a dress that was almost as ugly as the one I was, except in scrub green, hurried toward us.

  “Sneaky,” I mocked, “coming in the back door.”

  “Kristen had a work emergency,” Ian called as they drew nearer.

  “It’s okay,” I told them. “Aunt Susan’s in a pretty good mood.”

  Ian sighed with relief. My grandfather, Herschel, stuck his head outside. “Susan wants you to come back in,” he said to me. Noticing Ian, he said, “Come, my boy, I want to talk to you.”

  “You go,” Kristen told my brother. “I wanted to talk to Maggie for a minute.”

  The men disappeared.

  “Quite the party,” she said awkwardly.

  “It’s not every day someone retires from an illustrious career.” I tried to keep my dislike and distrust out of my voice, but I could tell from the way she stiffened that she heard it.

  “What happened to your wrist?”

  “A little accident. It’s nothing.”

  “You know I’m a doctor, right?” she challenged.

  “Among other things,” I murmured.

  She let out an angry huff of air. “We didn’t get off on the right foot.”

  I stayed silent.

  “I know you think I’m terrible for my…extracurricular activities.” She bit her lower lip nervously. “I know you think I’m unethical and a terrible person.”

  I didn’t make a peep.

  “But I have my reasons.”

  “Like what?” I challenged quietly.

  She raised her gaze to meet mine and I saw her eyes were filled with unshed tears. “Ian doesn’t know.”

  “About your unethical extracurricular activities?” I mocked.

  She pulled out her phone and swiped the screen. “About her.” She raised it so I could see the picture of a frail older woman. “My mother’s sick. I do the…other work…to pay for her treatment. I love her and I don’t want her to die.” Tears began to stream down Kristen’s face.

  I offered her the napkins Zeke had given to me.

  She took them with a shaky smile of gratitude and dabbed at her cheeks. “I know that’s something someone like you can’t understand, but I’m desperate.”

  Little did she know. But I didn’t think telling her about my own extracurriculars would be smart. Instead, I said, “I understand. I don’t think you’re a terrible person.” Moving slowly and tentatively, I pulled her into a hug.

  She sobbed on my shoulder.

  “It’s okay,” I told her. “It’s going to be okay.”

  Someone cleared their throat nearby. Glancing around, I found Templeton watching us.

  “Sorry to interrupt,” he said. “But they’re getting ready for the toast and if Susan sees you’re not there…”

  I nodded my understanding. “We’re on our way.”

  He turned and went inside.

  Kristen wiped away the remainder of her tears. “Thanks for understanding.”

  I nodded. “You go in. I’ll be right behind you.”

  She hurried into the party.

  “She’s just like you,” God remarked. “Willing to do unsavory things in order to help her family.”

  “If her brother is similar, it probably means that Patrick is right and Brody is up to something.”

  “That’s something to figure out another day,” the lizard told me. “Right now, go celebrate with your family. You’ve earned it.”

  The End

  The Hitwoman Plays Courier

  No good deed goes unpunished.

  When Maggie Lee helps an old man who’s fallen, she ends up working as a courier for his well-to-do son.

  Proud of herself for landing a legitimate job that doesn’t involve a windowless office, Maggie ignores red flags and the concerns of God that all may not be what it seems. She’s too busy traversing the landmines of literacy involving a certain mobster’s grandson and juggling the two men who both want more from their relationships with her.

  Maggie’s already stressed out when things go wrong, really wrong, with a delivery. A man’s dead and the police know about her involvement with him.

  With the help of her pets and the two men vying for her affections, Maggie must figure out what the heck is going on…or God may be lost forever.

  Coming soon! Don't miss news about the next chapter of Maggie's saga. Sign up for my newsletter.

  Maggie and legit employment never mesh well, do they?

  Wait until you read about her next misadventure in The Hitwoman Plays Courier. It's a job that just might kill her!

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  Hugs and murder,

  JB

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  HITWOMAN BOOKS IN ORDER

  Confessions of a Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman

  Further Confessions of a Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman

  The Hitwoman Gets Lucky

  The Hitwoman and the Family Jewels

  The Hitw
oman and the Neurotic Witness

  The Hitwoman Hunts a Ghost

  The Hitwoman and the 7 Cops

  The Hitwoman and the Poisoned Apple

  The Hitwoman’s Downward Dog

  The Hitwoman’s Act of Contrition

  The Hitwoman Hires a Manny

  The Hitwoman and the Sacrificial Lamb

  The Hitwoman and the Chubby Cherub

  The Hitwoman and the Mother Load

  The Hitwoman Under Pressure

  The Hitwoman Plays Chaperone

  The Hitwoman Takes a Road Trip

  The Hitwoman in a Pickle

  The Hitwoman and the Gold Digger

  The Hitwoman's Juggling Act

  The Hitwoman and the Fallen Angel

  The Hitwoman Goes to Prison

  The Hitwoman and the Exorcism

  The Hitwoman Plays Games

  The Hitwoman Owes a Favor

  The Hitwoman and the Teddy Bear

  The Hitwoman and the Body

  The Hitwoman Pays a Debt

  And don't miss the Psychic Consignment Mystery series.

  One Woman’s Junk

  Gently Used, Still Works

  Another Woman’s Treasure