by A. C. Mason
~ * ~
Outside the apartment, the cool night air felt refreshing to Jamie compared to inside Michael’s photography studio, if the place could be considered such. It really was a gruesome trophy house. She inhaled deeply as if to cleanse her body of negative energy.
She glanced at Caleb as they walked to his truck. “Why did you turn over your gun to Chief Baker?”
“Standard procedure for an officer-involved shooting.” Caleb’s grin appeared forced. “I hope you’re not allergic to dogs.”
She frowned. “Not that I know of. Why?”
“After all you’ve been through, you shouldn’t stay alone tonight. I want you to come home with me.”
“I gather you have a dog,” she said.
“Yeah, a golden Lab. He’s very friendly.”
She hesitated a long moment. Her heartbeat raced. As much as she wanted this, the thought of spending the night with Caleb frightened her. Not that she feared he would hurt her, but of her idea everyone she had feelings for or loved ended up dead.
“I have nothing against dogs, but I don’t have any of my clothes or make-up.”
“Easily remedied,” he said. “We’ll stop by your place on the way and you can pick up your things.”
She didn’t answer.
“If you’d feel better, I can stay at your place, but I’ll need to check on my dog.” He narrowed his eyes. “Sorry, but I’m not letting you stay alone tonight.”
“All right, we’ll stop at my house on the way.” She really didn’t want to be alone. Maybe he didn’t either. After all, he’d just shot someone. That could be heavy on his mind. She may be using that reasoning as a good excuse to be with him, but then he might be doing the same.
He appeared relieved by her decision. “There are a few bad decisions I’ve made concerning you and me. We need to talk about us.”
“Is there an us?”
He kissed her lightly on the lips. “I sure hope so.”
Epilogue
Saturday, December 21
Caleb left Jamie asleep when he left for the bank. The lobby only opened for a few hours on Saturdays, so he had to hurry.
He retrieved Marino’s ring from his safe deposit box and rushed to police headquarters. Slipping in through a back entrance, he ran up two flights of stairs to the chief’s office.
In a way, he hoped the ring wouldn’t be allowed into evidence or even disclosed that the piece had been found at Branson’s murder scene. That way defense attorneys couldn’t claim this was planted evidence.
However, it was up to Chief Baker to decide how to play it.
Baker looked up when Caleb walked into his office. “You got it?”
Caleb handed him the ring, still in the plastic baggy.
“Marino’s in an interrogation room. We’re taking a break for a little bit. He’s being a hard-ass.”
“You should have expected that. He knows the score. You played the tape?”
“Yeah, he went pale when he heard it, but didn’t acknowledge any guilt.”
Caleb glanced toward the door. “I need to get out of here and back to Jamie.”
“Go ahead. I’ll take it from here.”
Fifteen minutes later, he arrived home to find Jamie awake and dressed, sitting on the sofa with Bud lying at her feet. Nice little scene.
“I see you made friends with Bud.”
Jamie laughed. “He’s adorable.”
“Obviously he thinks you are too.” He cleared his throat. “Chief Baker is having a press conference at eleven. Will you be okay watching?”
“I hope so. As long as you’re here with me.”
“You can count on that.” He glanced at his watch and flipped on the television.
Television crews from Baton Rouge and Lafayette crowded in front of the podium inside the City Hall where Chief Baker would be speaking.
Caleb felt his anticipation rising. Whatever Baker said would be quite a shocker to the whole town. Outside the immediate area of Oak Pointe, viewers were only interested in the arrest of the serial killer for shock value, with exception of Ross Jenkins, the BRPD detective. If he could connect the BR homicides to Phillips, there would be no question about Phillips’ guilt in anybody’s mind.
Sitting next to him on the sofa, Jamie looked nervous. Hearing about last night’s event might be upsetting to her. He squeezed her hand.
It was always disconcerting to shoot another human being, but at least the subject of his gunfire didn’t die. He would likely get over his emotional distress about wounding Phillips a lot quicker than Jamie would be able to process the fact her sister and those other women were killed by someone she thought was a friend. Worse, he intended to also kill her.
Caleb’s interest in the press conference picked up when he saw Baker step on stage followed by the head of Louisiana State Police, Oak Pointe’s mayor, the parish sheriff, and the district attorney.
“The purpose of this press conference is threefold,” Baker began. “I will not take questions during or afterwards. My office will provide you with a press release with all information we can release at this time.
“First, we have arrested one Michael Phillips, age thirty-seven, of Oak Pointe in connection with the murders of five women. We will also be charging him with kidnapping and false imprisonment.
“One of my detectives was able to disarm Mr. Phillips with a single shot to his hand as he held two hostages at gunpoint. Phillips was treated at the hospital and released before being transported to jail. The detective has been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure for an officer-involved shooting. Louisiana State Police is investigating the shooting.
“An arrest has also been made in a second…unrelated homicide…”
Caleb didn’t fail to notice how Baker stumbled over the word. Branson’s homicide was related and that would eventually be revealed.
“Unfortunately, the person we arrested was a member of our department. Rick Marino, a detective in the homicide division, has been arrested on first degree murder charges in the death of James Branson. State Police will also take charge of this investigation.”
Reporters in the crowd murmured and appeared eager to ask questions. Knowing how the press operated, Caleb figured some might shout out questions even though they were told Baker wouldn’t answer any. A few seemed disgruntled. Perhaps because more information wasn’t forthcoming.
Baker held up his hand for quiet. “At this time, I am announcing my retirement from the Oak Pointe Police Department. Twenty-six years is long enough. Time for a younger man to take over and for this old man to enjoy some leisure time.”
A few chuckles echoed through the crowd. “Any questions you have as the investigations continue into these cases should be directed to State Police. Thank you all for coming.” Baker turned and walked off the platform, followed by the other officials with reporters shouting questions that would go unanswered for now.
“That was quite a shot you fired at Michael,” Jamie said. “I’m relieved he wasn’t killed. I want him to get the punishment he deserves from the justice system.”
Caleb didn’t say anything for a long moment. “I would have loved to have taken him out for what he did to you, your sister, and the other women, but it’s not something I want to live with on top of everything I did and saw in Iraq.”
She took his hand in hers. “I’m glad we talked last night. You and I both have jobs that could be dangerous, but together we can work though all the pitfalls.”
“You bet we can.” He pressed his mouth to her lips in a long kiss.
Dedication
To all those dedicated people who give their time to help others less fortunate
Meet A. C. Mason
A. C. Mason is a Louisiana native and resident. She’s a mother, grandmother, and twice a great-grandmother. Her two daughters and their families live in nearby communities. She grew up reading Nancy Drew, Trixie Beldon, and other mystery novels for girls. Her love of a good myste
ry led her to write her own.
Two spoiled cats, Katy and Wiley, share her home. Katy makes several appearances in the mysteries as the protagonist’s pet in the Susan Foret series.
A.C. is a member of Sisters-in-Crime, Romance Writers of America, and Heart of Louisiana RWA.
What They Are Saying About
The Mistletoe Murders
“A.C. Mason knows South Louisiana, both its pretty and its gritty side. She spins them together to create gripping mysteries you will enjoy reading.”
Lynn Shurr, author of A Taste of Bayou Water, Blessings and Curses, and The Courville Rose.
"A.C. Mason is never disappointing. Mistletoe Murders is another intriguing mystery from a Louisiana author who always delivers a thoroughly enjoyable read."
Eleanor Cocreham, author of Choice Makers, Risk Takers, Heart Breakers, and Living Lies.
WEBSITE
www.anneclayremason.com
FACEBOOK
www.facebook.com/anneclayremason
Other Works From The Pen Of
C. Mason
April Fools - December 2010 - Susan Foret, an aspiring mystery writer, takes on a real life mystery when she tries to prove her brother didn’t murder his wife. https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/415035
Mardi Gras Gris Gris - July 2013 - Susan Foret is again thrust into a murder scene when one of the town’s wealthiest citizens dies near her as the local Krewe’s parade is ending.
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/339046
Deadly Bayou - October 2014 - Police chief Jim Foret’s death is ruled a suicide. Susan Foret believes her husband has been murdered and sets out to prove his death is a homicide.
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/483359
