by A M Ialacci
“I’ve got much more pressing work to do than to go up to New Bern and watch all those chins wag,” Charlie said. “You knock yourself out.”
“Thanks again for everything,” Allie said. “Putting us up, helping me get in on the investigation in the first place.”
“Oh, honey,” Sheila said, patting her hand. “If Charlie doesn’t tell you enough, we hope you know you both are family to us.”
Allie’s heart swelled. She looked at both Sheila and Charlie and said, “I hope you know how much that means to us.”
“We do, kiddo,” Charlie said. “Now off to bed with you. It’s time to rest after a job well done.”
“All right, old man. I’m going,” she said, heading for the stairs.
“Who’re you calling old, you whippersnapper?” Allie could hear their laughter all the way up.
Chapter Forty-Seven
The task force members were taking turns at the lectern on the steps of the US District Courthouse in New Bern in front of a large crowd of reporters and spectators. Allie looked at the older white men in various colors of uniforms and hats, badges and medals adorning their jackets, and wondered who would get the credit in the newspaper headlines. Not that she cared. But it wouldn’t be her nor would it be Special Agent Nick Cruz. Ten to one it would be one of the agency heads vying for airtime, and that was likely how it had always been and always would be. The current department head speaking was the Special Agent in Charge, one of Cruz’s higher-ups from the Field Office in Charlotte.
“Through dedication and hard work, members of our team apprehended Ms. Brennan’s murderer and the person who masterminded the attack, as well. If you ever think about harming a federal employee, let this be a warning to you. You will be caught, and you will be served the justice you deserve.”
Even Kat Matthews was there in a red suit dress and three-inch heels. When it was her turn to speak, she mentioned the sheriff’s department’s hard work, but not that of the lowly consultant she had dismissed from the case. All Allie could do was laugh and shake her head. She caught Kat Matthews’s eye and smiled, which flustered her and she lost her place in her prepared statement.
She turned to go but caught Cruz’s eye, who was also on the fringe of the crowd on the steps. He held up a finger asking her to wait. She looked at her watch. Mike, Ryan, and Frankie were waiting for her at the Cow Café a block away, but she supposed they were okay for another few minutes.
When the press conference ended, Cruz descended the steps and approached her as the crowd of reporters around her packed up their gear and disappeared, already onto the next story. “Not even a mention, huh?” He smiled.
“I’m not in it for the glory,” she said.
“Me neither,” he said.
“You looked important up there, though,” she said.
“Behind everyone else.” He laughed. “I just wanted to thank you for the help. You pay attention when people speak to you, and that makes a world of difference.”
She ducked her head. “Ryan and Frankie helped too.”
“They did indeed. I’d like to speak to some people at the agency about working with adults on the spectrum, because they, too, have amazing attention to detail.”
Allie nodded. “That would be cool. I hope they listen to you.”
“But I couldn’t have done this without you. Charlie was spot on about you.”
“Well, thanks, Cruz.”
“Any interest in working for the FBI?” he asked.
She hesitated. It would be great to really make a difference, she thought and then stopped herself. “I think I make the biggest difference here with Ryan.”
Cruz smiled. “What about Mike? We’re always in need of marine mechanics for undercover work.”
“Not on your life, Cruz.” Allie hit his shoulder.
“Well, the agency is still keeping an eye on you, but I hope we stay in touch, Allie.”
“You have my number,” she said. “But, Cruz?”
“Yeah?”
“Just make sure you’re dressed when you answer a door, okay?”
Cruz blushed. “Go have lunch with your family.”
She nodded. “Safe travels.”
Cruz blew her a kiss and walked off down the street.
Enjoyed Lenses, Lust, and Murder?
Thank you for reading Lenses, Lust, and Murder! If you enjoyed it, please consider telling your mystery-loving friends or posting a short review. It would mean a lot to me. For a free mystery novelette entitled Death at Sunset Pines, and to be the first to know about the next release in the Crystal Coast Case series, take a moment to sign up for my newsletter here:
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Acknowledgments
I’d like to thank my parents and my son for being shining examples of the type of person I aspire to be.
I’d like to thank Linda Ialacci and Joel Francis for being my biggest cheerleaders and critical readers.
I’d like to thank former FBI agent David Alford, Amabel Daniels, Sophia Liolli, and Faye Smith for their technical advice and insider info about crime scene forensics, park service workings, girls on the autism spectrum, and ferry service operations.
I’d like to thank my amazing editor, Amabel Daniels, wonderful formatter, Kiersten Modglin, and outstanding cover designer, Laura Hidalgo. I am so lucky to work with all of them.
I’d like to thank the people at Panera in Morehead City, NC for keeping me supplied with cinnamon spice lattes while writing this book, and giving me a comfortable space to do it.
About the Author
Growing up on a steady diet of Murder She Wrote and Nancy Drew, it wasn’t until Anna left her twenty-year teaching career that she realized she might be able to write her own mystery. Single mom to a teenager on the autism spectrum, and living in a multigenerational household, she loves the beach, reading Scandinavian crime fiction, and binging on Netflix.
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Also by A.M. Ialacci
Sight in the Dark
Diamonds, Teak, and Murder
Death at Sunset Pines
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