by Ann Mullen
Still holding my hand, Billy leaned over and whispered to me, “We have a big day ahead of us come Tuesday. I’ve been working on this stalking case all by myself. Are you going to be ready?”
“You can bet the bank on it!” I answered, my thoughts drifting. “I was just thinking about the Hudgins family. What do you think will happen to Rose now that her mom’s been arrested for Helen’s murder? What about Jay and his dad? You think they’ll get much jail time for trying to cover it up and for what they did to Rose and me?”
“Forget about it for now, Jesse,” Billy whispered. “You’ll have plenty of time to think about it when they go to trial. As far as Rose is concerned, she’s a big girl. With some good therapy she’ll recover.”
“Can put it out of your mind just like that?”
“You have to,” he replied. “If you don’t, you’ll go crazy. Not to change the subject, but did your Mom get around to telling you that Claire and the kids are going to move here?”
I looked over at Claire who was ensconced in a conversation with Chief Standing Deer. It was strange seeing her sitting on the ground with her legs crossed, swaying to the beat of the drums being played by one of the Blackhawk boys. She seemed so much happier now that she was back with us.
“Where’s she going to live?” I asked, wondering if she was going to move in with us.
“We’ve discussed the possibility of her renting my house,” he replied. “I just hate to see the house sit empty and I’m not planning on moving back in anytime soon.”
I leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “Billy, you’re a good man.”
Cole grunted. “What about me? I’m pretty wonderful, too!”
“Yes, you are,” I said and then kissed his cheek. I had decided to forgive his trespasses and give our relationship another go at it, if he was still interested. I leaned over and whispered in his ear, “How about later you and I try to get this romance off to a new start?”
He wrapped his arms around me and gave me a deep, passionate kiss right in front of everybody.
He smiled that big, beautiful smile of his and said, “Does that answer your question?”
Acknowledgements
I would like to extend a special thanks to Diane Reid for her help, honesty, and encouragement while writing this book. She was always there with a kind word and a pat on the back just when I needed it. Warm blessings go to my daughter and dearest friend, Wendy Kantsios, for giving me the courage to fulfill my lifelong dream of writing a novel without worrying about what others thought. Applause to my son, Tommy Mullen, for not going crazy as he relentlessly taught me how to get started using computer software. It took a lot of repeat instructions. Thanks and love to my husband of thirty-four years, Tom, for putting up with the temperament of a writer.
I would like to acknowledge Larry Mayhew (Private Investigator, Stanardsville, VA) and Bill Kerr (NYPD, New York) for taking the time to answer my questions about the law. Thank you.
And last, but not least… my mother, Minnie Crumpler (Newport News, VA)—three hours away, but always in my heart. I couldn’t have done it without you.
Look for my next book: South River Incident
A Jesse Watson Mystery Book #2
This book is dedicated to Tom, Wendy and Tommy
... my loving husband and children
Table of Contents
http://www.aftonridge.com
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Epilogue
Acknowledgements
