Robin — even as he raced closer — saw the two-by-four rolling towards him, tumbling. He tried to dodge it but — affected by whichever drugs he was on — got his feet tangled up.
He tumbled.
The chainsaw sprung free from his hands, bounced and skittered wildly on the concrete floor — then sputtered to a stop.
Jack stood over him. Robin’s attempt to flee, clearly over. And Jack guessed he’d be ready to “sing” about everything.
Taylor. The money. The plot to frame Nick.
“Okay, Robin. How about you get up and we start making this all right.”
And it took only a moment for the man on the floor to stand up — ready to face the music.
18. A Party at the Ploughman’s
Jack stood with Sarah, both of them watching Grace, Nick, and all their friends.
She saw all the smiles, beers held high.
“I notice,” Jack said, “that Nick has been nursing that one beer.”
Sarah nodded. Grace was beaming. Nick was in the clear: money found, Tracy’s fingerprints all over the cottage, the champagne flute.
Enhanced CCTV would probably show who tossed the gun in the river.
And Robin? Quickly trying to work out a deal, had explained it all. How Tracy contacted him out of the blue.
Groomed him …
And drew him into her plan. A plan that suited him too.
Sarah came to Jack’s side.
“You know, what we saw that night at The Spotted Pig, that wasn’t the man Grace loves.”
Jack turned to her. Big smile. “I’m glad.”
“Me too. Jack — one thing — you think, like Robin says, that they never meant to kill Lee Taylor?”
Jack turned away from the engagement party guests.
Looked right at her.
“Well, having seen Tracy up close … nasty. And by the way, did I compliment you on how you handled her?”
She smiled. “Taught by the best.”
“Impressive. My guess? Taylor resisted, Tracy lost it. A scuffle, gun goes off. The woman does have a short fuse.”
“Or no fuse. She masterminded this. That makes sense. Very clever. Seeking out someone inside Hardwick’s, someone disgruntled enough to help …”
“No shortage there,” said Jack. “Nick’s pal Charley—”
“Not here today,” said Sarah, looking round the crowded bar. “Think he’s one ‘friend’ who’s off the wedding list.”
“Bit of history there with Grace?”
“Oh, years back,” said Sarah. “Long forgotten.”
“Guess — not by Charley,” said Jack. “So this whole thing, in the end — all for revenge?”
That gave her pause. “I think so — mostly. But the money too — not a bad lure. Two birds, as they say. Until the murder …”
Jack nodded. “Just glad it’s all over.” He turned back to her once again. “Oh and that reminds me … never get a chainsaw. Those things are dangerous!”
And she laughed at that. Took a sip of her lager. Even Jack was drinking beer tonight, fitting in with this casual engagement party. The doors of the Ploughman’s were wide open, windows too — that kind of summer night.
All so sweet.
And then she saw Grace, pulling Nick along, coming over to them.
*
Grace, so excited.
Relieved!
She appeared ready to pop, holding Nick’s hand, his matching grin as he looked at her …
Adoring. And Sarah thought … what’s not to adore?
With Hardwick’s sure to put him in charge, the couple’s future was secure.
And Sarah had to think of the other milestones ahead.
Their own house. Then, that first miraculous baby. (She doubted that her Grace would stop at just one.)
Taking kids to school events, sports, plays, all that. The years rolling by so fast that no one notices.
And then, well—
Like me, Sarah thought. Kids nearly grown. Chloe ready to head off to Uni. Daniel at her heels.
Fast indeed!
Which — stealing a quick look at Jack, who also seemed to be beaming, sharing completely in Grace and Nick’s happiness — made her only more glad that she had this …
Well, whatever you call it …
… with Jack.
Though she had no doubt that these days together would go fast too.
Whoever wrote tempus fugit wasn’t kidding.
Then as Grace burbled on about the plans for the next months, the date — to be saved! — the possible reception venues, all the preparations … she suddenly stopped.
And looked right at Sarah.
Sarah smiled.
Not at all expecting what happened next.
*
“Sarah, I've been thinking …”
Grace looked around at the crowded pub, filled with friends, young and old.
Seemed like the whole village loved these two.
“… for the wedding …”
Bit of advice needed? Sarah wondered.
Menu? Music?
“Yes?”
“I mean, I’ve got lots of good mates. But, I’ve been thinking … it makes sense.” A look to her fiancé. “Would you consider being my maid of honour?”
Totally …
Unexpected.
Sarah looked at Jack. Did he know about this? But he looked as surprised as she was.
“But Grace, you have so many friends, and—”
Grace put a hand on Sarah’s arm. “That’s true. Lots of them. You’re the person I’m closest too.” A big smile. “Funny that — and you’re my boss.”
“We’re partners, remember?”
And then with Grace, Nick and even Jack’s eyes on her, Sarah realised they were waiting for an answer.
And the gesture, the full force of it, hit Sarah. So touching.
Taking a deep breath she said, quietly: “Yes. Of course.” Then understanding the moment called for something maybe a tad more explosive: “Absolutely yes, Grace!”
Then growing quiet again …
“I’d be honoured.”
And then — though he didn’t know about this surprise, at least so it seemed from his facial expression — Jack put an arm around Sarah.
“What a great wedding it will be.”
And Sarah turned to him.
Thinking: If not for Jack, the whole thing could have all gone off the rails. The wedding. The future of Nick and Grace.
One of New York’s “finest” was certainly one of Cherringham’s as well.
And with Jack’s arm still on her shoulder (for one more precious moment) Sarah watched Grace and Nick, with matching grins, vanish back into the crowd at the engagement party.
And she thought: may summer never end.
END
Cherringham — A Cosy Crime Series
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Cherringham--Death on a Moonlit Night Page 10
