“I got lucky. I saw Burke leave—he told his wife he was taking you home. I called him and asked him to meet me in the hotel room and bring you with so I could meet my long lost sister. I had drinks waiting. You passed out and I shot him. I decided to kill you too, after I made you suffer.”
“Please. Don’t. I didn’t know anything about this. I didn’t know about you.” She had to disarm Greta—had to keep her talking. There had to be a way to distract her.
“That day on the beach. Did you shoot Michael?”
“I meant to shoot you. He got in the way.”
“And Marla?”
“Bait. I figured if she was hurt, you’d come out of hiding. I planned to take you out when you connected with her. I realized you’d gone back to your place. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get rid of your bodyguards.” She snickered. “Until now.”
“Oh, no.” Carolyn gasped. “You didn’t.”
“Don’t worry. Your boyfriend will come around and by then you’ll be dead.”
Michael opened his eyes as consciousness seeped into his brain. Gravel pressed into his cheek. A pounding headache told him his recollection of being knocked out was anything but a bad dream. He called dispatch as he rose to his feet. The door to Carolyn’s apartment was ajar. He stumbled forward hoping he wasn’t too late.
Carolyn glanced toward the door as he stepped inside. “Michael.”
Greta glanced around. Carolyn took that moment to make her move. She rammed Greta full on and sent her sprawling. Greta connected with the table beside the easel and it tipped over on top of her. Paint thinner cascaded onto her head and into her eyes. She screamed. Carolyn wrenched the knife from out of Greta’s hand.
To Michael she said, “It’s about time you got here.”
Greta sputtered and growled as Michael subdued her. “What happened?” he asked Carolyn.
“Greta tried to kill me. She killed Burke.”
“I want a lawyer,” Greta groaned. “I need a shower. That stuff is toxic to the environment.”
“You’ll get your shower at the jail. And you can call an attorney there.” He handed her over to the two officers who showed up. “Cuff her and read her her rights. He winced as he got to his feet. Carolyn helped him over to the sofa.
Doug arrived as the officers were leaving. “So. I’m getting snatches of information here. Would you two like to tell me what happened?”
Carolyn served them all coffee and gave Doug her statement. At the end, she added, “I still can’t believe what Greta told me.”
“You mean about you being her twin and Adam Burke being your father?” Doug asked.
Carolyn nodded. “She seemed so certain. Hard to think she’d make it all up.”
“We should be able to get some answers when we question her. We’ll also want to test your DNA. That way we can verify whether or not you two are sisters and if Burke was your father.”
“Will you need another blood sample?” She looked over at Michael who had stretched out on her couch, hands over his eyes. She’d have to fix an ice bag for his poor head.
“What we got from you Saturday night should be okay,” Doug said.
“Do you think Emily and Brian know?”
“They never mentioned it but we’ll question them again.”
Once the detective and the crime scene techs left, Carolyn checked on Michael. He was asleep and she seemed to remember something about keeping head injury victims awake. She fixed him an ice pack and patted his shoulder.
He mumbled a thank you and placed the ice on the back of his head. With one eye open he said, “You okay, Carolyn?”
She nodded. “I’ll be bruised tomorrow, but I’m in better shape than you are.”
“You took a big chance going at Greta like that.”
“I had to do something. She meant to kill me. She hated Adam and me. He was trying to do the right thing.” She lowered her head. “I don’t understand what she was thinking.”
“I suspect we’ll understand better once she’s questioned.”
Carolyn sighed. “I suppose so. You should have seen the look in her eyes. It was pure evil.”
Michael didn’t respond and seemed to have dozed off again. She shook him a few minutes later to offer him an aspirin. “I think you should see a doctor. Head injuries are nothing to mess with.”
He smiled. “I have a hard head. But you’re right.”
“I’ll take you in to the ER.”
Michael allowed himself to be taken to the hospital and examined and after being admitted for observation, he insisted Carolyn go home and get some sleep. “I’ll call you tomorrow,” he said, but knew he wouldn’t. Everything had changed for Carolyn. He needed to keep his distance, at least for now.
“Are you sure?” Carolyn took hold of his hand.
“I’m sure. You’ve been through a lot.” He drew his hand away from hers and turned his head toward the wall. “I’ll be fine.”
“All right then. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Carolyn didn’t know what to think of his dismissal. And that’s exactly what it was. He seemed to be distancing himself from her. Reluctant, she ducked out of the ER room and headed for the entrance.
“Carolyn,” a woman called her. “Are you all right?”
“Marla. I—I just left Michael in the ER. They’re keeping him overnight.”
“I heard.” She raised an eyebrow. “I also heard that you took down your attacker.”
“Michael isn’t too happy about that. Maybe that’s why he’s upset with me.”
Marla smirked. “I wouldn’t doubt it.” She frowned. “Listen, I want to pop in to see him for a minute. But I want to hear the whole story. All I’ve gotten are bits and pieces.”
“I’m heading home. I won’t be able to sleep anyway so come by for some tea or coffee.”
“Tea sounds great. See you in a few.”
On Tuesday morning, Carolyn met Marla for coffee at the local Starbucks. She’d been up since dawn, worrying about what to wear and what the attorney had to tell her. She hadn’t spoken to anyone but Marla and Mrs. Owens for days. Michael hadn’t called or dropped in, but then why would he. She no longer needed protection. She hadn’t reached out to him either, mostly because she had gone into a painting marathon. She did that sometimes. Painted for days, taking time on occasion to eat and sleep.
During that time, she’d learned that she was indeed Adam Burke’s long lost daughter and that Greta was her fraternal twin. Part of Greta’s story was true. Their mother had kept only one of them. Carolyn considered herself the lucky one of the two. Being abandoned had assured good care with a loving family. For a while at least. Her initial foster parents had been killed and she’d been placed in several homes after that. They weren’t all great, but she’d learned early on that faith in God and her art work helped her cope with anything life threw at her.
Hey.” Marla dropped into the chair beside her. “Sorry I’m late.” She set her coffee on the table and fiddled with the name tag on her uniform. “I’m on the clock so I don’t have a lot of time.”
“I shouldn’t have bothered you, but I’m—I’m about to have an emotional meltdown.”
“Over the reading of the will?” Marla took a tentative sip of her drink.
“I’m excited and scared and a hundred other things. I feel like I’ve been dropped into an alternate universe.” She chewed on her lower lip. “I’m a different person than I was a week ago. I’m Adam Burke’s daughter and I have a twin sister.”
“Who’s as different from you as night and day. And who’s looking at life imprisonment.”
“Not her fault entirely.”
“How can you say that? She made some bad choices.”
“True, but the psychiatrist said being abused and neglected as a child left her with personality disorder and some serious anger issues.”
“Hmm. At least now she can get help and she won’t be able to hurt anyone again.”
After a moment, Marla asked, “Did you finish
the painting?”
“I did. I have it with me. I’m going to give it to Brian and Emily today.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I have a painting for Michael too, but I’m not sure he wants it. It’s a thank you gift.”
“I’m sure he’ll love it.” Marla met her gaze. “I’m worried about him. He came back to work. He does not look happy. I think he misses you.”
“I doubt it.” Carolyn didn’t dare to let herself hope. “I was part of the job.”
“Shall I tell him to go by your place to pick up his painting?”
“I’ll call him.” When she was ready.
Marla’s cell phone went off. She stood as she listened and grabbed her coffee. “I have to run. Sorry.” Good luck at the Burke’s.”
“Right.”
Ten a.m. came too fast and Carolyn wasn’t ready. She would never be ready. She’d decided that even though Adam Burke was her father, she wouldn’t accept any part of his estate. She wanted Emily and Brian to have everything. They’d been his real family. Having made the decision gave her courage.
Brian opened the door before she could ring it. He smiled and held out a hand to her. “Welcome home, Sis.”
“What?” Carolyn about fell over.
“Come on in.” Brian said. “Everyone’s in Dad’s study.
Carolyn swallowed hard and then took a deep breath to steady herself. Brian and Emily seemed happy to have her there. Even the attorney, an older man, gave her a welcoming smile.
There were no real surprises in the will. She was named co-heir with Brian. Greta, the attorney explained, had refused to have any part of the family. Emily maintained control over the family finances.
“We’ll help Greta with legal expenses,” Emily said. “I’m sure Adam would have wanted that.”
Carolyn made her announcement just as the attorney finished. “I don’t expect anything,” She said. “I’m happy to know he was my father. I’m heartbroken to only have known him such a short time. But Brian, Emily, you are his family and . . ..”
“No.” Emily said. “Absolutely not. Carolyn, your father found out about you a little over a month ago. He found documents in his father’s effects alluding to the fact that the girl he’d been seeing just before he went off to college, was pregnant. Adam’s father paid off the woman and made certain his name didn’t appear on the birth certificates. Adam was devastated that he hadn’t known. He hired an attorney and eventually found you and Greta.”
“So you knew this entire time?”
“Only in part. The night of the fundraiser, I knew he was going to tell you.” She bit her lip to stem the flow of tears. “I didn’t know what to do so I decided to wait until the investigation was over.”
“In case I was involved?”
“No. I knew the moment I met you that you were innocent.”
“Brian didn’t.”
“Brian had no idea you were his step sister.”
“I’m sorry, Carolyn.” Brian reached for her hand. “I was terrible to you. I’d lost Dad and you were involved. I hope you can forgive me.”
“Of course.” Carolyn took his hand and squeezed it before letting go. “But as I said, I don’t feel right about inheriting anything.”
“You are family,” Emily said. “And as such, you are entitled to your share. And…” She smiled and glanced at Brian. “We’d like you to come live with us.”
“Oh, I couldn’t do that.” She really couldn’t. As an artist she needed a place of her own.
Brian splayed his hands. “Dad would have wanted that for you. We have a room with a great view that you could use for a studio. It has an adjoining bedroom. And I’d like to have a sister to hang out with.”
He was joking and serious at the same time. “That’s very sweet of you, but I like my space.”
“Think about it,” Emily said. “Brian and I would very much like to get to know you better.”
She wanted to know them better as well. “I can visit—as often as you like.”
“Let’s start with dinner Sunday after church.” Emily said.
“You can bring a guest,” Brian offered. “Marla’s coming.” Brian had lost all of his antagonism and seemed genuinely interested in bringing her in as part of the family.
“I’ll be there.” She started for the door. “Oh, I have something for you.”
Emily clasped her hands together. “You finished the painting.”
“I did. It’s dry enough to hang but the paint will need to cure for a few months before I can put the finish on it.” She turned. “It’s in the car.”
“Let me get it for you.” Brian hurried to catch up.
Within a few minutes the portrait was hanging in the living room above the fireplace.
Emily hugged her. “It’s perfect. You have his eyes, you know.”
Carolyn smiled. “I know.”
When she left the Burke’s Carolyn felt at loose ends. She wanted to tell Marla about the visit and she also wanted to tell Michael. She called them both and ended up leaving messages.
That evening Mrs. Owens popped over to invite her to dinner. Carolyn was surprised to find that she’d also invited Michael, Doug and Marla.”
“I hope you don’t mind, dears,” she told them when they’d gathered around the table. “I was in the mood for guests and I wanted to hear all about the case.”
They complied and after dinner and a home-made apple pie, they thanked her and left. Carolyn wanted to invite Michael over, but he seemed anxious to get away from her. Fine. If he needed his space, she’d give him plenty.
At the connecting door, Carolyn said her goodbyes and hugged her landlady.
About half an hour later, she heard a knock at her outer door. “Carolyn, it’s me.”
Her heart did a flip flop at the sound of his voice. She pulled open the door and stepped aside so he could enter. Michael held up a bouquet of white roses that he’d probably picked up at Safeway. “I’m surprised to see you.”
“We need to talk.” He handed her the flowers. “A peace offering.”
“Yes, we do.” She took the flowers. “And thank you.”
“I need to apologize for staying away so long. I wasn’t sure you’d want to see me.”
“You were angry because I tackled Greta.”
“Yes, that too.” He grinned. Michael felt like an idiot. He’d planned on walking away thinking he shouldn’t have gotten involved with her in the first place. He convinced himself that he needed time to sort through his feelings for Carolyn. He’d lost his objectivity and questioned his reactions to her. He also suspected that with her new-found wealth, she’d be looking to hook up with someone with money and connections. Marla had slammed him good for that. This was their Carolyn. Nothing had changed except that now she wasn’t living in poverty and she had a real family. She had roots.
“I have something for you, Michael.” She said. “A sort of thank you gift for putting up with me even when you were supposed to be off duty.”
“I don’t need a gift.”
“I need to give you one.” She walked over to her studio and motioned him to follow. Nodding at the canvas on the easel, she said. “This is yours. It isn’t dry yet, but…”
“It’s beautiful.” He shook his head in disbelief. “You painted this for me?” It was a seascape done in the glorious colors of a sunset.
“If you’d rather have something else…”
“This is perfect. Thank you.”
He pulled her into his arms. She belonged there with him. They belonged together. She wrapped her arms around his neck. Her kisses told him she felt the same way. When they drew apart, he glanced at the painting again. I love the painting you did, but I wonder if I could commission you to do another one.”
“Oh?” She stepped back. “What did you have in mind?”
“I’m wondering if you’d consider painting a portrait of you and me together, saying our vows.”
Her eyes misted over. She grinned up at him. “I’d need a pho
to to paint it from.”
“I think that can be arranged.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “That is if you agree to marry me.”
She sighed and leaned against him. “I thought you’d never ask.”
About the Author
Award-winning author and speaker, Patricia H. Rushford, has written over fifty books, including five mystery series: The Helen Bradley Mysteries, The Angel Delaney Mysteries, and The McAllister Files, which she wrote with a police detective. She's also written the popular Jennie McGrady Mysteries and the Max & Me Mysteries for kids.
Patricia's most recent works include Strangers in the Night, a romantic suspense. Most of her mysteries are set in the beautiful Pacific Northwest where she lives with her husband. She enjoys sharing the sights, sounds and culinary delights of the northwest with her readers. The Oregon and Washington coasts provide the settings for many of her novels.
Patricia, who worked for 18 years as an RN, holds a master's degree in counseling. In addition, she conducts writers' workshops for adults and children and has been the Director of the Oregon Christian Writer's Summer Conference and co-director of Writer's Weekend at the Beach. Patricia has appeared on numerous radio and television talk shows across the United States and Canada.
Books by Patricia H. Rushford
FICTION
Romantic Suspense
Sins of the Mother
Strangers in the Night
The Angel Delaney Mysteries
Deadly Aim
Dying to Kill
As Good as Dead
The Helen Bradley Mysteries
Death on Arrival
Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep
Red Sky in Mourning
A Haunting Refrain
When Shadows Fall
The McAlister Files
Secrets, Lies and Alibis
Deadfall
Terminal 9
She Who Watches
Deadly Deception (An Artisan Mystery Book 1) Page 14
