Grave Missteps
Page 20
“I don’t think anyone could be proud of what Steven did,” Edgar said gently.
“I’m not sorry for trying to protect Angel either,” Priscilla added. “I’ve already told your boyfriend, but I think I owe you an explanation, too. I thought if Angel was safe with the state there was no way Michael could get to her. I thought they would move her to a new home and he would never be able to find her. However hard it was – and you’ll never know how terrible I felt – I thought I was doing right by her.”
Maddie had pretty much figured out that portion of the story herself. What she hadn’t figured out was the bigger picture. “And Carrie? You had to at least suspect that Steven killed her. Who were you protecting by keeping that information to yourself?”
“Not Michael,” Priscilla replied without hesitation. “When Carrie first went missing I was confused. I thought maybe she found a new place to live and was figuring things out. It was only after two days that Mildred and I realized something bad happened to her. Then we were in a real pickle, though.”
“I knew you and Mildred were probably working together,” Maddie muttered. “There was no way it all made sense unless you were a team.”
“Yes, well, you’re smart.” Priscilla’s smile was small and didn’t make it all the way to her eyes. “When Carrie disappeared we figured we knew what happened but had no proof. We didn’t know what to do. We were making arrangements to move Angel out of Mildred’s house when the fire broke out.”
“You mean when Steven set the fire,” Maddie corrected. “I still don’t understand why he would do that knowing Angel was in the house.”
“He didn’t know. Mildred put a lock on Angel’s door that was outside the room so she could pretend it was a storeroom should Michael somehow find his way inside. Actually, before we moved Angel in it was a storeroom.
“That situation was only supposed to be temporary,” Priscilla continued. “You have to understand. We thought it would take a few days to get settled. It’s not as easy to hide someone as it used to be.”
Despite her anger, Maddie couldn’t help feeling sorry for Priscilla. The situation was hard on everybody. Steven was a monster of epic proportions, but Priscilla tried to do right by her granddaughter. That was the most important thing.
“I’m not blaming you,” Maddie said finally. “I understand how difficult things were and how you were struggling. Carrie would still be alive, though, if you’d gone to the police.”
“I understand that. Back in my day, though, Steven Sr. was friends with the men on the police force. They knew what was happening – there were only two of them, mind you – and did nothing to stop it. They looked past me and remained friends with my husband. I didn’t think I could trust them.”
“I hope you feel differently now,” Nick prodded. “If you’d told us what was happening from the beginning we could’ve ended this a lot quicker – and without as much bloodshed. We got lucky that the officer stationed at the children’s home is going to be okay. Things could’ve gone much worse, though.”
“I understand that.” Priscilla smoothed the front of her blazer. “I can’t apologize enough. I’m sorry for what Michael did.”
Maddie believed her. “What are you going to do about Angel?”
“That’s actually why we’re here,” Edgar said. “My wife and I have an empty house. All of our kids are grown and gone. We’ve been in contact with the state, talking about Angel’s specific needs for the hearing and speech problems, and we’ve already got classes and out-patient care set up for her.”
Maddie wasn’t certain she understood what the man was saying. “You’re taking her?”
Edgar bobbed his head. “We are. My mother wanted to do it but, due to age, we feel our home is the better fit. Mom will be able to visit regularly but my wife and I are better suited to keep Angel on the schedule she needs.”
“So, she’s moving to Bellaire?” Maddie tapped on her bottom lip as she considered the development. “That’s not far away from Blackstone Bay.”
Priscilla smirked as she exchanged a quick look with Nick. “Yes, well, I’ve been informed you’ll want to visit on a regular basis, too. This is a convenient move for that, wouldn’t you say?”
Even though part of her wanted to hold onto the anger she’d been hoarding like gold, Maddie knew it was a waste of time. “So, you’re really taking her?” Despite herself, she could see endless possibilities in front of Angel. “You’re going to get her the help she needs and a nice home?”
“More than that, we’re going to love her,” Edgar promised. “I didn’t get a chance to know her mother well because of everything going on. I saw her a few times, but Steven was always odd. He was better in youth, although that sweetness he had as a child faded away.
“I’m going to make sure that Angel doesn’t lose her sweetness,” he continued. “I’m going to give her the best life I can. I owe her mother for it.”
“We both owe her mother,” Priscilla corrected. “We’re going to do our very best by her.”
Maddie chewed her bottom lip as she flicked her eyes to Nick. “You knew about this and didn’t tell me?”
Nick shrugged. “I found out that everything was coming together this morning. It’s not as if I hid it from you for a long time. I thought you would enjoy the surprise.”
Maddie’s lips curved up. “It’s definitely a surprise.”
“A good surprise?”
“Yes.” Maddie bobbed her head and turned to stare at Angel. The girl was trying to act calm and disengaged, but it was obvious she recognized Priscilla. There was interest carved on her face … and hope. “I think this is the best way to spend a weekend day ever.”
Nick chuckled as he slid an arm around her shoulders and kissed her forehead. “I think you’re right. There’s nothing better than a picnic.”
“Definitely.” Maddie briefly shut her eyes. “Now, I think I smell hot dogs. Who’s up for some food and then a nice get-to-know-you session?”
Priscilla was clearly tickled with Maddie’s determination to take over the meet and greet. “That sounds like a nice way to start the spring.”
“Absolutely,” Nick agreed. “Let’s get to it, shall we?”
It wasn’t a perfect ending, but it was a wonderful start, Maddie mused as they crossed the lawn. No one could ask for more than that.
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Acknowledgments
I’m a romantic at heart. A true romantic. I love the idea of a happy ending, so much so I have trouble writing a sad one. The world is sad enough. I like escaping in fiction. That’s just me. I like sarcasm and snark – but I’m not sure a sad ending is in me. If you’re looking for an edge like that, you’re probably looking in the wrong place. Just FYI.
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
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Books by Lily Harper Hart
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Deadly Intuition
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Deadly Proposal
Deadly Prospects
Deadly Ever After
Deadly Honeymoon
Deadly Questions
Deadly Addition
Deadly Vacation
Deadly Secrets
Deadly Storm
Deadly Dealings
Deadly Christmas
Deadly Desperados
Deadly Arrival
Deadly Rivalry
Deadly Memories
Deadly Adventure
Deadly Reunion
Deadly Conflicts
Deadly Payback
Deadly Waves
Deadly Forever
A Maddie Graves Mystery
Grave Homecoming
Grave Insight
Grave Delight
Grave Misgivings
Grave Concerns
Grave Discovery
Grave Decisions
Grave Seasons
Grave Holiday
Grave Haunting
Grave Paths
Grave Danger
An Ivy Morgan Mystery
Wicked Days
Wicked Dreams
Wicked Times
Wicked Places
Wicked Warning
Wicked Fog
Wicked Season
Wicked Winter
Wicked Hearts
Wicked Wishes
A Harper Harlow Mystery
Ghostly Interests
Ghostly Issues
Ghostly Deceits
Ghostly Worries
Ghostly Images
Ghostly Wrecks
Ghostly Asylum
Ghostly Tricks
Ghostly Distress
A Rowan Gray Mystery
Welcoming Seas
Murky Seas
Stormy Seas
Sunken Seas
Choppy Seas
Crossovers
Wicked Ghosts