“You needed to take him out so the funds would revert back to you and you figured there would be no better time than in the midst of a wedding, lots of guests from all over, lots of commotion, the perfect opportunity. You knew Derek had been borrowing Erik’s car because Derek told you, but what you didn’t understand was that had been a lie. It was Johnny who was using Erik’s car. You couldn’t run him off the road in your own vehicle, so you stole Rebecca Motley’s, figuring her personal relationship with Derek would prevent her from speaking out. The parking manager identified you, more or less. When Derek showed up to the bachelor party, you realized you’d attacked the wrong man and so you made your second attempt. But you were drunk, bleary eyed and confused. You attacked the wrong man again, but this time you killed him.”
The crowd broke out into wild gasps and exclamations and Kitty had no choice but to wait for them to hush.
“Derek couldn’t and wouldn’t tell the police because of his love for Mandy. He knew it would destroy her if her cousin was arrested.”
Trudy burst out when she realized her predicament. “And you were trying to set me up with this guy?!”
“Sorry about that,” said Kitty. “I only just put it together.”
Hank sneered at her. “You don’t know what you’re talking about! I’m innocent!”
“No you aren’t!” shouted Sterling from the back of the church.
Everyone turned to him.
“We just searched your yacht,” he said, stalking up the aisle toward Kitty and the killer. “We found the contract, plus your plans to kill Derek. Word to the wise, don’t record your plots for murder on a word processor.”
Suddenly, Hank broke out and lunged at Derek. “I’ll kill you!”
Sterling jumped in, grabbed Hank, twisting his arm behind his back, and apprehended him.
“Hank Troy, you’re under arrest for the murder of Johnny Gibbons and the attempted murder of Derek Coburn.”
Sterling yanked Hank down the aisle where five uniformed officers were rushing in. As he passed the killer off to them, Kitty held up her hands and tried to quiet the congregation.
“Everyone! It’s okay! The wedding will go on as planned! Please, take a seat and we’ll begin in a few minutes!”
Kitty locked eyes with Sterling, and a wealth of emotions rolled through her—anger, sadness, hurt, attraction, longing, and even love.
She slowly approached him, as he met her halfway.
Kitty stared into his dark green eyes and asked, “Are you leaving again?”
The anguish in Sterling’s eyes lifted into kindness, and his lip curled with the hint of a smile.
“What do you think?”
###
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Jeanine Spooner
BRIDE and DOOM (The Wedding Planner Mysteries Book 2) Page 11
