Beyond Secrets, The Art of Murder_A Madison Hart Mystery

by DB Jones

  It was too late; Kim was gone, and Tyler lay dead at the entrance of his studio, and three of them were lying on the floor.

  Someone had reported the gunshots, and within minutes the police and ambulances were on the scene. Josh arrived about ten minutes later as Doc Webb was wheeling out the bodies. First one and then another.

  He had tried to call Madison when he got the report of the shooting at the center, but there was no answer. He had a gut feeling something was terribly wrong. As he pulled up to the Art Center, he saw the car that the department loaned Madison. His heart sunk, and he nearly crumpled to his knees. He raced toward Kincaid’s studio. All he saw were the body bags being taken out. When he saw, Doc Webb inside he could barely speak, and his voice was quivering, but he had to ask. Who was shot? Doc Webb stood up and looked at Josh, “They all were. Madison is still alive, but barely. I don’t think she’ll make it, Josh; I’m so sorry.” He patted Josh on the shoulder.

  Josh felt like someone had ripped his entire insides out and was torn between rushing to the hospital and staying there to help process the scene. The chief was called in on this, and when he showed up, he took Josh aside. “Son, you’ve done all you can here. Let us finish this. You check on your partner. That’s an order.”

  Josh didn’t hesitate and ran back to his car. He turned on his siren and raced down Highway17-92, towards Florida Hospital as though he was in hot pursuit. His car screeched to a stop in front of the emergency room, but he left the emergency lights on and rushed to the door. He flashed his badge at the front desk. “Where is Madison Hart?”

  The nurse called someone to escort him to the operating room. The nurse told him Madison was in surgery, and they wouldn’t know anything for awhile, and that he should stay in the waiting room. Josh paced back and forth. After about four hours of waiting, the surgeon came threw the double doors and flipped off his mask. “Someone here for Hart?” Josh jumped up. “I am.”

  “Are you a relative?”

  “I’m her partner.” Josh showed the doctor his badge.

  “We almost lost her a couple of times, but she must be some determined lady. She’s going to be here for awhile, so we can make sure she’s okay, but I believe she’ll make a full recovery.”

  Josh twisted his hands together. “Can I see her?”

  “Yes, but she’s still sedated quite heavily.”

  He led Josh to the ICU where Madison was hooked up to tubes. He looked down at Madison’s pale face. She looks bad. He pulled up a chair and reached for her hand. He thought he felt her squeeze his hand, and when he looked up, she had a smile on her face. She mumbled something that he couldn’t understand. He leaned in closer, and she whispered, “We got ‘em.” Then she fell back to sleep. He smiled at her. “Yes, we did partner.”

  Chapter 21

  It had taken weeks before Madison was strong enough to leave the hospital, but that gave her time to go over all the details of Winter’s story on the missing women. By the time Madison was ready to leave the hospital, the entire story had made the front page of the Orlando Sentinel. With the help of Madison and Josh, Winter presented an award-winning article.

  Madison was gaining strength each day and finally came home from the hospital. Josh opened the door of her once command center for the investigation. She stood looking at the board and all the hard work she and Josh had done to find and catch the killer of these innocent women. Tears streamed down her cheeks for the first time since Josh had met Madison. She quickly tried to cover it. “I guess the dust in this place is getting to me.”

  “Yes, I guess so.”

  “She turned toward him, reached up and held his shoulders. “Josh, I could not have done this without you.”

  “I know. We do make a good team, don’t we.”

  She turned away without replying to him and walked over to the board. She stood a moment and then started carefully taking down the photos and erasing the board. She placed all the evidence they had gathered into the box sitting on the table. “I think this belongs to the Maitland Police Department.”

  Josh got a strange feeling she wasn’t telling him everything. “Maddy, what’s going on? What aren’t you telling me?” He sat down at the table and looked up at her.

  “You know why I took this assignment, right?”

  “You were helping out your sister.”

  She couldn’t face him and remained packing the box. “Yes, and she is well now, and the investigation is over. It’s time for me to return to the FBI.”

  Josh stood up, walked over to her and put his arms around her. “I guess I was hoping you would stay. But I understand, and I won’t make this any harder on you. It is your life, and I get it.”

  “Thank you. I’m going to pack all this up and visit my sister until after her big party. I hope you’ll come. I need you to be with me for that.”

  “I’ll be there. Just let me know when. Do you want me to help you pack up?”

  “No. Jessie is coming by to close the place down and help, but thank you. And besides, it would only make it harder for both of us.”

  She kissed him and hugged him, and then watched him walk out the door one last time. He backed out of the parking lot like she’d seen him do a hundred times. He was the only man that understood her, and she let him leave.

  Jessie arrived with empty boxes. “I doubt I’m going to need all those boxes, Jess. Remember I came here with only the things that would fit on the plane, and I don’t want to haul back more than that.”

  They filled Madison’s car to the brim, and she and Jessie made one last look around. “You know Jess, I’m going to miss this old place, but I’ll be glad to get back to a bathtub,” she said, laughing. “I can’t thank you enough for letting me stay here.”

  “We’re going to miss you around here. I know Winter is excited you’ll be staying with her some before you head back.”

  “I’m looking forward to it. To tell you the truth, Jess, I’m going to miss being here, too. One of the reasons I agreed to take this assignment, other than helping Win, was I was thinking of leaving the agency. Now I’m not sure what I want to do.”

  Winter and Cole had finally finished with all the remolding and renovations on the old Dupree’ home in Cassadaga. They were ready to present the place to the town as it was in its former glory, as promised. They couldn’t wait to throw a gala that would rock the town; one that would honor the sisters who so bravely protected the treasures of the Jews from the Nazis during WWII, and how Clair Dupree’ lost her life saving them.

  Winter lavishly decorated the entire house. Cole hired a band to play the old songs of the forties. It seemed the whole town, and then some were there. Madison was happy to see Jim Tucker and Jessie again and the many friends Winter had made since moving to Cassadaga. Almost everyone there was dressed in the 40s era. As Madison was mingling among Winter’s guests, she caught sight of Josh coming through the massive front doors. He looked around like he had stepped through a portal in time. “Josh,” he heard, from a distance.

  His face lit up with a huge smile. Not only someone he knew, but it was Madison.

  She threw her arms around him and planted a big kiss on him. “I’m so glad to see you. I thought you might not come.”

  “And miss all this?”

  The night was a success, and one by one the crowd dwindled until the only ones left were Winter and Cole, Jim and Jessie, and Madison and Josh. Winter invited them all out on the covered porch for one last drink.

  Everyone was enjoying the evening when Jim got a call. He excused himself, and when he returned, he stood there looking at them sipping their wine. “Well, something has come up, and I’m in desperate need of a top-notch investigator. Any takers?”

  The End

  For now…

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  Here’s
Chapter One from Beneath Secrets

  Another Madison Hart Mystery

  CHAPTER 1

  Josh kept quiet; he could only hope that Madison would stay. He turned to Jim. “What type of case is it, Jim?” He was trying to give Madison time to digest everything.

  “I just got a call that some young kids were hanging around in an old abandoned house and found a skeleton. As a matter-of-fact, Josh, it’s in Maitland.”

  “Maitland? It looks I have another case to solve.” He turned and smiled at Madison. Josh is the lead Detective at the Maitland Police Department and also in charge of major crimes.

  Jessie leaped up in front of Madison, “This is your sign, girl! What more do you need to convince you to stay?”

  Madison took in a deep breath. “Jim, can you give me a little time? I need to think about this. It’s not a decision that I take lightly. I have my job in DC to consider, and I’d like to discuss this with my supervisor first.”

  “I understand, and I don’t want to pressure you, but I need to move on this quickly before someone else nabs this story.”

  Josh sat quietly, but was fidgeting in the chair waiting for her to accept the assignment. Madison glanced over at him, hoping he would say something, but he remained silent. He wanted to tell her to accept the case, but it had to be her decision. Of course, the idea that he might be able to work with her again was exciting. They made a good team. Their synchronicity with the last case was remarkable in helping to solve the crime, but the working relationship wasn’t the only reason that he wanted her to stay.

  Josh stood up and started toward the steps. “I’ve got to get back to Maitland. Madison, do you mind walking me to the car?”

  “Sure.”

  Winter watched as they walked down the massive steps, along the newly renovated cobblestone walkway and out to the street. She was hoping Josh would encourage her sister to stay, but all she could do was hope. Madison was a dedicated agent, and her lifelong goal of being an agent with the FBI was realized, and it would not be easy for her to give that up.

  Josh started to get into his car, and then took her by the arms. “I’m not going to tell you what to do, as if I could. But I think you know where I stand. I’m certainly not going to start pressuring you now.”

  “Thank you, Josh, I appreciate that. Whatever I decide, I’ll let you know as soon as I know. Working with you has been great, in more ways than one.”She grinned up at him. “I think we do make a good team, but as I told you before, my work trumps any relationship I might have with anyone, including you.”

  He held her face and leaned into her, “I have accepted that and respected your honesty with me. Whatever you decide, I will support you. I hope you will weigh your decision solely on what you want; not based on what I, or family and friends, want you to do.” He kissed her on the forehead, and then turned and got into his car without saying another word. His was heart pounding, and the vein in his neck was throbbing. If he didn’t leave right then, he would beg her to stay, and that’s the last thing that she needed from him.

  Madison’s heart ached as she watched him drive off. She had silently hoped that he would plead with her to stay, but he didn’t. She was on her own. She paused in the middle of the road wishing he would spin his car around and return, but his car vanished around the next turn.

  Her mind was swirling with anxiety and confusion. Her palms were clammy, and her insides were shaking. This decision was not going to be easy, and she needed time alone to figure what she was going to do. She said her goodnights to everyone and excused herself. She told Jim that she would get back to him the next day and then she went upstairs to the guest room and closed the door.

  She sat nervously on the edge of the bed contemplating her options. She loved working with the FBI but her heart was tugging at her to do what she had always dreamed of, and that was to have her own investigation agency. She hadn’t planned on having to make that decision so soon. It’s all so sudden, and if I decide to take this case, will it move me closer to my dreams? She questioned, as a ton of uncertainties raced through her mind.

  Madison heard Jim and Jessie saying goodbye to Winter and Cole. She walked to her bedroom window and watched as they left. It had been a great party, and she was happy for Winter and Cole, but now she was tormented with making a choice that might just change her life.

  She longed to sleep but lay on the bed tossing and turning. She made her way downstairs to the kitchen to fix a cup of tea when she heard the rhythmic creaking of the porch swing rocking back and forth. She walked out on the porch to see Winter sitting alone.

  “Are you okay?” Madison asked.

  Winter was curled up on the swing with an old shawl wrapped around her shoulders. “Yes, I was just thinking back on the life of Claire Dupree’, and wondered if she would have approved of what I’ve done with her place. In my heart, this home will always be hers. I think of her often, she was such a remarkable woman. She was certainly a role model because of the sacrifices and decisions that she made to protect what was right. I admire her.”

  “She was an amazing woman, but so are you, Winter. I think she would be proud of what you’ve done with her home. By the way, where’s Cole?”

  “He went home. He has an early morning meeting with his publisher and didn’t want to disturb me by leaving so early, tomorrow. What are you doing up?”

  Madison rubbed her eyes, “I couldn’t sleep. I know this offer from Jim could lead to more assignments with him, but I’m not sure I want to limit myself to the Sentinel. To tell you the truth, I’m not sure I’m ready to leave the FBI. However, the idea of opening a P.I. office is very tempting,”

  “Maddy, can I ask you something without you feeling that I’m putting pressure on you?”

  “Of course.”

  “Ask yourself how you felt working on that last case? Did you enjoy the freedom of following the leads on your own? How did you feel working without the pressure of the FBI overseeing your every move? You know that I would love for you to stay in the area, and I believe a door has opened that would give you the opportunity to do what you’ve always wanted. Will you at least consider it, Maddy?” Winter pleaded.

  “I know you mean well, Win, and I am not taking this lightly. If I decide to stay, it will mean leaving the FBI completely, and I’m just not sure I’m ready for that yet.” Madison yawned, kissed her sister on the cheek and then headed back up to her room.

  Madison woke early and knew that Stratton Wells, her supervisor at the FBI, would already be in his office. She pulled out her cell phone and stared at his number wondering what she was going to say. Her hands were shaking, and her pulse was racing as she finally clicked on his number.

  He answered immediately, “Agent Wells.”

  “Stratton, it’s Madison.”

  “Okay, what’s up? I can tell something is troubling you,” he said curiously.

  “Remember that time we talked about what we wanted to do when we retired from the agency?”

  Stratton cautiously asked. “Yes, I do remember. Is this call about that?”

  Madison’s voice quivered a bit. “You know when I came here to help my sister that it was more than that? I needed some time off because I had been questioning the direction I was going. After this case I just finished here in Florida I was ready to return, but last night I was offered another one. Now before you say anything, I know I can’t take off any more time. My dilemma is that I’m contemplating taking the assignment.”

  “What exactly are you asking me, Madison? Do you need more time in Florida, or do you want me to make the decision for you? You’re a damn good agent, and I would hate to lose you, but you know whatever you decide I’m behind you one hundred percent,” Stratton assured her.

  There was a long hesitation on the other end and Stratton knew she was having difficulty making her choice.

  Click here to order Beneath Secrets

  More Madison Hart Mysteries

  Beneath Secrets

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nbsp; The Dark Side of Secrets

  Behind Secrets, Murder in Maitland

  Veil of Secrets, Murder Unearthed

  In the Shadow of Secrets, Murder Hides

  Other Books by DB Jones

  Coming June of 2017

  The Woman Behind the Glass Wall

  Silent Secrets, Cry Murder

  Other Mysteries with a touch of Paranormal:

  Nights of Autumn

  Storms of Winter

  Young Adult, Fantasy: The Willow Trilogy

  Willow of Endless Waters

  Willow and Rise of The Serpent

  Willow and The Gift

  A Christmas Trilogy

  Struggling to Hold On (Novella 1)

  Having Hope (Novella 2)

  Our Second Chance (Novella 3)

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  About the Author

  DB Jones is a best-selling author of Mystery and Crime Drama, including the Madison Hart Mystery Series and the Seasons of Passion Mysteries. She also writes YA/Fantasy, which includes The Willow Trilogy.

  Before writing, DB along with her husband composed melodic flute music for over thirty years. She began writing at the age of 68 after her husband passed away. DB lives in the hills of Virginia where she overlooks the BlueRidge Mountains as she hammers away at her keyboard bringing her characters to life.

  DB writes in two genres, Young Adult/Fantasy and Mystery/Crime Drama with an occasional twist of the paranormal spun through some of her books.