Ryan, not usually the demonstrative type, reached out to Mitch and gave him a shoulder hug. Teasing him, he said, “I don’t know why I ever believed your sister—you’re a good man.”
“What?” I said, playfully punching Ryan in the other shoulder.
Mitch spoke to Ryan from behind his hand, “Watch out for her, she has a wicked left jab.”
Sheriff Bennett came back to the little group assembled on the back porch. “I think we’re done here for tonight. Again, although none of you should have taken the risk, your help has given us closure on the case. Good work.”
“Thanks,” I said.
As Sheriff Bennett turned to leave, Mitch called out, “Wait. Sheriff, can I talk to you for just a minute?”
“Okay, but I’m due back at the station. You’re free and clear. There won’t be any charges.”
“I understand. I was wondering—what does a guy like me need to do to … be a cop?”
The sheriff raised his eyebrows and then gave Mitch a grin. “That’s a pretty involved process, son, but if you ride along with me to the police department, I can tell you a little about it.”
Mitch turned to me. “Do you mind? I can get a ride back home with Marlin.”
For all of the sparkling water and towering trees, this was the most wonderful thing I had seen since arriving at the lake. My brother wanted to be a cop. “Go ahead.”
Mitch followed the sheriff around the side of the house, asking questions the whole way. We started slowly walking behind them to the front yard. It had been a long day, and I was beginning to feel an exhaustion creep through me.
An SUV skidded into our driveway, sending gravel flying against the house. A woman in a sweatshirt and jeans jumped out, leaving a passenger in the back.
“Are you Gabby?” The woman asked as she ran toward our group.
“Yes.”
“Oh, thank God. Gigi’s about to go crazy.” She extended a hand. “I’m Gigi’s mother, Karen. It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“Nice to meet you. Is she in the backseat?”
“Yes. Yes. Can you come up to the car and speak with her? Jane had the lift van, so we had to bring her over in the car. She was so worried about you.”
“Then let’s go see her.”
Gigi sat in the dark van with her Tobii next to her.
“Gabby,” the electronic voice said as I approached, “where is Jane?”
“The police have her. She was waiting for me in the woods. It was her all along. Did you know?”
“No. She was too close to me. Couldn’t see it.”
“How did you know then?”
“Your text. She saw it.”
“I was worried about that. Did she say something?”
“No. Just left.”
“Did you know about her and Billy?”
“I knew she had a boyfriend. That’s all. It was Billy?”
“Yes. That’s why she killed Amelia.”
“Why?”
“Because Amelia killed Billy. He was abusive, and she couldn’t take it anymore.”
“Burglars?”
“Maybe not.”
“So glad you’re safe.”
I reached in and hugged her and whispered into her ear. “I’m so lucky you came to save me.”
The electronic voice came out. “Ha. Ha.”
Gigi’s mother sighed. “I guess I’ll have to hire someone else to be my Gigi’s caretaker. I have to work, and it is so wonderful to have Gigi being able to be a part of the community. Jane did a wonderful job. That’s why all of this is so hard to understand. Do you know anybody looking for a job?”
“Actually, I do, but I think he just found one.” Sheriff Bennett was on a call. Mitch waited nearby, leaning against a patrol car, arms crossed and engaged in an animated conversation with his new pal, Marlin. Luigi sat happily at his feet.
“Oh well. I’m just glad Jane never took it out on Gigi.”
“She was part of the family,” Gigi said.
“You just never know, do you?”
“Still figuring you out,” Gigi cracked.
After Gigi and Karen left, a cool breeze blew across my arms. I was still in pajamas, I realized. The moon reflected on the waters of the lake, and I had a clear view of it from the driveway. It appeared different, now. Calm. Happy even. Clarence and Ryan came around the side of the house to join me.
“So, Gabby. What do you think of being back in Henry Park now?” Clarence asked.
“I like it. I really like it. Okay, your crime rate is off the charts, but it’s a beautiful place.”
“So you’ll stay for another book?” Ryan whispered in my ear, slipping his arm around my waist.
“Oh yes. I’ll stay for another book … and so much more.”
About the Author
Teresa Trent lives in Houston, Texas and is an award-winning mystery writer. She writes the Pecan Bayou Mystery Series, is a regular contributor to the Happy Homicides Anthologies. Teresa is happy to add her Henry Park Mystery Series to her publishing credits with Color Me Dead, the first book in the series. Teresa has also won awards for her work in short stories where she loves to dabble in tales that are closer to the Twilight Zone than small town cozies. When Teresa isn’t writing, she is a full-time caregiver for her son and teaches preschoolers music part-time. She also enjoys spending time with her family, waiting for brownies to come out of the oven, and of course, a good mystery.
Other Series by Teresa Trent
Pecan Bayou Mystery Series
#1 A Dash of Murder
#2 Overdue for Murder
#3 Doggone Dead
#4 Buzzkill
#5 Burnout
#6 Murder for a Rainy Day
Visit Teresa Trent's Author Page on Amazon
Happy Homicides Anthology Contributing Author
Happy Homicides 1: The Deadliest Christmas Pageant Ever
Happy Homicides 2: A Heart For Murder
Happy Homicides 3: The Dog Days of Murder
Happy Homicides 4: Falling for Murder
Visit Teresa’s website at TeresaTrent.com and sign up for her newsletter for information on new books, free days on Kindle, coupons and giveaways.
Color Me Dead (Henry Park Book 1) Page 20
