The gun. Where was the gun? She looked down at his lap. The weapon was sitting on the seat beside him, wedged against his hip. She had to act quickly. The higher they climbed the less chance they'd have to survive a crash. And call her sentimental, but she didn't want J.B. to be a widower just yet.
The plane dipped again. Helen grabbed the gun. "Fun's over." She pressed herself against the door and trained the gun on him. "Turn this thing around. Now!"
Greg gritted his teeth. "Paddy said not to underestimate you."
"Take it down."
"Or what, you'll shoot me?"
"That's right."
"Humph. That would be suicide. Shoot me and we'll both die."
"I'll take my chances."
He glanced back at her again, then banked the plane to the right. "Then let's do it right. I'd rather die than face charges. You're the only one with any proof. We're going down together." Greg had turned them around and begun his descent. Only he wasn't headed for the landing strip or the water. They were heading straight for the mountain.
Helen did the only thing she could do. She shot him.
He cried out in surprise, clutched his chest, then slumped against his side of the plane. Helen grabbed the controls and nosed the plane up. The belly of the plane skimmed over the trees and within a few seconds Helen had them over the water.
She let out a long breath. She'd never flown a plane of this type before, but it seemed to be handling well. Picking up the radio, she connected with the airport on San Juan Island telling them she had a wounded man on board. "I want an ambulance and the sheriff waiting when I land."
On Sunday morning Paradise was shrouded in fog.
"Perfect weather for fishing," Father Daley said. He stood on the deck near the railing on the portside of Paddy’s Pride, holding an urn containing Paddy's ashes. "A fitting day for Paddy O'Donnell's farewell. Paddy can rest easy now and so can the rest of us, knowing that his killer has been brought to justice. Paddy asked that his ashes be scattered to the wind by his children."
Helen blinked back tears as Richard and Claire came to the rail and took the urn from Father Daley. They both held the urn and slowly released its contents. The boat's wake swept the ashes away in a heartbeat.
Richard wrapped his arms around his sister. They held each other for a few moments, then came back to their places: Claire beside Fabian and Richard beside Sandra. Patrick, Marcie, and Ted stood behind them. They'd all gathered on the aft deck, some in chairs, some standing.
Megan and Peter hadn't come, of course. She'd given birth to a six-pound baby girl. Hillary hadn't come, either, feeling the service they'd had at the house was more than adequate. She wasn't much for boating, especially not in the foggy mist.
As Richard took Sandra's hand in his, Helen felt a large warm hand clasp hers. She let her head rest against J.B.'s shoulder. She'd called him and he'd insisted on leaving everything to join her. He arrived on the island shortly before dinner the night before. As much as she hated to admit it, she'd desperately wanted him with her and was pleased he'd come.
The cold autumn wind whipped around them as they picked up speed. Despite the weather, Helen felt strangely warm inside. Part of that was J.B.'s presence. Another part was the satisfaction that Greg would go to trial. Greg was in the hospital and under arrest. The gunshot had punctured his left lung. He faced multiple charges of embezzlement, theft, forgery, and murder. Officer Stone had met them at the airport, none too pleased that she herself had arrested the wrong man.
Over the course of the day she'd warmed toward Helen and seemed grateful for Helen's help. Now she stood next to the handsome RCMP in black slacks and turtleneck and a bulky white sweater. Chad risked placing an arm around her shoulders. She didn't shrug it off.
"Why don't we all move inside?" Father Daley suggested when the mist turned to a soaking rain.
Patrick piloted Paddy's Pride back to the dock and they all headed to the castle for lunch. Helen and J.B. lagged behind the group.
"How's the house coming?" she asked, surprised she hadn't thought to ask him the night before.
"Nearly done. Chuck assures me it will be finished by the time we get back home. That is, if we're staying on."
"Yes. I'd like to. With Greg gone, I have a lot of work to do before I can determine who gets what and how much."
He hugged her to him, his blue eyes reflecting love and concern. "How does it feel to be part owner of a castle?"
"I don't know yet. It's quite a shock. Claire and I talked briefly last night. She and Fabian would like to live here full time. They'll do well with it."
"I'm sure they will. He's a good man."
"I'm glad you think so." Helen turned and placed her hands on his shoulders, kissing him soundly. "Thank you for coming."
His blue eyes glistened as they caught her gaze and held it. "You do have a way with you, lass."
Out of the corner of her eye Helen saw the curtains billowing in Mary's fifth-floor window. She could hear the faint strains of "Erin's Theme." Hillary was at it again. Grabbing J.B.'s hand, she pulled him along. "Come on. It's time for you to meet the castle ghost."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Award-winning author and speaker Patricia H. Rushford has written over fifty books, including five mystery series including: The Helen Bradley Mysteries, The Angel Delaney Mysteries 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 for Summerside Press. Most of her mysteries are set in the beautiful Pacific Northwest where she lives with her husband Ron. 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
Strangers in the Night
Romantic Suspense (e-book)
The Angel Delaney Mysteries
Deadly Aim
Dying to Kill
As Good as Dead
The Helen Bradley Mysteries
Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep
Red Sky in Mourning
A Haunting Refrain
When Shadows Fall
The McAlister Files - available as e-books
Secrets, Lies and Alibis
Deadfall
Terminal 9
She Who Watches
Sins of the Mother (A stand-alone Romantic-Suspense)
Novels for Guidepost Books:
Strangers in Their Midst (Mystery and the Minister’s Wife series)
Chasing the Wind, Measure of Faith, and With Open Arms (Stories From Hope Haven)
Mysteries for kids:
The Jennie McGrady Mysteries
The Max & Me Mysteries- Available as e-books
Non-fiction:
It Shouldn't Hurt to Be a Kid.
What Kids Need Most in a Mom
Connect with Patricia
On Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Patricia-H.-Rushford/e/B000AR89Y2/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
On her Website:
http://www.patriciarushfordbooks.com
On Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2015712717917&id=1396800853#!/patricia.h.rushford
On her Blog:http://www.patriciarushford.blogspot.com/
Follow her in Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/patrushford/
Or on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/56643.Patricia_H_Rushford
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A Haunting Refrain: A Helen Bradley Mystery (Helen Bradley Mysteries Book 4) Page 25
