by Mary Ellis
Michael patted his stomach. “Eating is definitely on today’s agenda, but I can hold off for now. What’s on your mind?”
“I thought we could walk the beach a spell. I have something to get off my chest. Then I’d like to stop at Evelyn’s house with the news. I want her to hear from us that she’s no longer a suspect.”
“Then we can eat?” Michael took her hand as they crossed the street.
“Continuously for the rest of the day if you like. After yesterday, I have a taste for just about everything.”
When they reached the hard-packed sand—the tidal zone that would soon be underwater—Beth shielded her eyes and peered out to sea. Fishing trawlers bobbed in the waves, while gulls and pelicans wheeled on air currents searching for their next tasty meal. “It’s really beautiful here.”
“You sound sad that our case is wrapping up.” Michael flung a sand dollar back into the surf.
“I am in a way. We haven’t done half the relaxing we had planned.”
“Nate can probably spare us for a few more days. After all, he’s flying out tomorrow to meet the new hire, for better or for worse.”
“What have you told him?”
“The bare minimum. I thought I’d let Kaitlyn explain what’s going on, as much as she feels comfortable. I don’t want to influence Nate ahead of time.”
“While we sing her praises from the sidelines, right?” Beth said, pushing her long hair back from her face.
“Absolutely. I’ll make it clear that Kaitlyn provided the info that saved your life. I was merely in the right place at the right time.”
“Waaay too modest, Preston. You’re still my hero, so get used to it.” She wrapped an arm around his waist.
“We’ll see how long I stay on your pedestal.” He reached down to rescue another sand dollar. “You were the one insisting we remain on Mrs. Doyle’s case, even though we’d been paid to find proof of infidelity.”
“I made mistakes on this one—mistakes that cost Curtis pain and might have cost Crystal her life.”
“Curtis created his own problems, and Lenny killed Crystal. Period.”
“I assumed Mr. Scraggly Beard was Bonnie’s old boyfriend that she abandoned when she met Lamar. My gut said he had nothing to do with our case. My gut was wrong. I should have tracked that guy down long ago.”
“That’s why you should keep your partner in the loop. A partner can often be more reliable than a digestive organ.”
“I know that now. I’m sorry, Michael.” She peered up at him.
“I forgive you, Beth. Now it’s time to forgive yourself.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ve been pretty hard on yourself since we got here.”
“I messed up several times. That’s not easy for me to admit. I allowed pity for Evelyn to cloud my professional judgment. A good PI never lets that happen.”
“Your faith in her was right on the money. Your belief in her innocence is what cracked the case. Considering all the evidence against her, a lesser investigator might have given up.”
“But I betrayed her trust—”
“You made a mistake. Nobody’s perfect. All we can do is our best. Sometimes it won’t be enough.”
“At least I did one thing right in Savannah.” Beth started walking to hide her emotions.
“What’s that? Fall in love with free food at the hotel’s hospitality hour?” Michael fell in stride at her side.
“Nope, but I did fall in love.”
“Really? Anyone I know?” He grabbed her arm to stop her forward progress.
“Yep. I’m in love with you, Preston. I wanted to tell you at the Mulroneys’, but those people—the good guys and the bad guys—kept horning in on our privacy.”
“You sure about this, Kirby?”
“It’s what my gut says…and my brain, big toe, and most of all, my heart.” She stretched up and kissed his cheek.
“In that case, maybe we’ll give your gut one more chance.” Michael kissed her softly on the lips. “Because I’ve been in love with you for a while now.”
He leaned in for another kiss, but she stopped him. “Since we went to Charleston?”
“Nope. Before that.” Michael came around from the other side, but again she thwarted his attempt.
“When we went to Wild Adventures?”
“Well before we arrived in Savannah.”
“When, Michael?”
“It was the day you taught me to shoot at your uncle’s farm. I simply can’t resist a woman who looks like Mae West and handles a gun like Annie Oakley.” He leaned in for his third try.
“There’s no time for smooching.” Beth started across the soft sand, dragging him behind her. “We need to get to Evelyn’s before we faint with hunger.”
They soon forgot their appetites once they reached Oleander Drive. Evelyn was sitting in a chair on the deck. A book lay in her lap, but her attention was definitely out to sea. She didn’t notice them until Beth touched her lightly on the shoulder.
“Beth, Michael. What a lovely surprise.”
“Sorry we barged in without calling first. Your maid told us where to find you. We have good news that couldn’t wait a moment longer.” Beth pulled a chair next to hers while Michael retrieved one from the lawn. Then she launched into an abbreviated version of the events of the last twenty-four hours.
For the third time, Evelyn’s reaction wasn’t the one Beth anticipated. Her eyes filled with tears, and a frown deepened the creases around her mouth. “How awful. That young man was so filled with hate he killed not one but two human beings who had done nothing to him.”
“In his warped mind, Lenny thought he was protecting Bonnie,” said Beth, squeezing Evelyn’s fingers. “But now the police can stop looking at you as a murder suspect. Your name will be cleared.”
“Am I free to leave the island?” Evelyn focused on the waves rolling in with relentless regularity.
“Of course, but word will soon get around that you had nothing to do with your husband’s death.”
“My name will never be clear on Tybee, but that’s okay. I loved this island because Lamar loved it. I would rather live near my sister and her family.”
Sitting between the prettiest house she’d ever seen and a vast expanse of deep blue sea, Beth couldn’t resist asking, “Won’t you miss all this?” She stretched her arms wide.
“I will. I love the ocean. But I can always vacation on Sullivan’s Island, Kiawah, or at Myrtle Beach.”
“Hilton Head is also very nice, ma’am,” Michael said.
“Yes, it is, young man. You should remember that when thinking about honeymoon destinations.”
Beth felt herself blush, a rare occurrence for her. “What will you do with this house?”
“Put it up for sale. It doesn’t feel the same without Lamar.”
“Of course not. Sometimes I say the stupidest things.” Beth tapped the side of her head with her knuckles.
“Not at all.” Evelyn patted her knee. “Part of me wants to stay right here to remember the good times we shared. It’s a tough decision.”
Michael scooted his chair closer. “The police said Mulroney parked his truck by the service gate and walked down the beach to your house. Nobody noticed him cutting through the dunes.”
Evelyn held up a hand. “Please, no more details. I’d rather not put images of Lamar’s last moments in my mind.”
“Of course,” Michael murmured. “Before I forget, the Savannah detective mentioned they recovered the twenty thousand dollars from Mulroney. For now it will be held in evidence, but eventually you’ll get it back. Surprisingly, Lenny had spent less than a thousand of it.”
“Could you please see that Miss Mulroney receives the money?” she asked.
“Bonnie?” Beth and Michael asked in unison.
“Yes. She’ll need additional schooling if she’s ever to stop needing a man to support her.”
“That’s very nice of you, Evelyn,” said Beth.
“Most women wouldn’t be quite so charitable.”
“Lamar and I chose that course of action together. If I hadn’t met him, I might have ended up in circumstances similar to Bonnie’s. This may provide her with the chance she needs.”
“At least Lenny will be gone a long time.”
“I know it’s hard for you to believe, Beth, but Lamar was a very nice person. He made a mistake, yes, but nobody’s perfect.”
“That seems to be today’s consensus.” Beth winked at Michael. “I certainly know I’m not.”
“What are your plans now that your work in Savannah is done? Are you eager to get home?”
“Actually, I’m not. I miss my parents, of course, but this town has really grown on me.” Beth stole a glance at Michael.
“What about you, Michael?” Evelyn cocked her head to one side.
“I like Natchez. I like Savannah. I just want to be where Beth is.”
Evelyn burst out laughing. “It sounds as though you two have decided your own course of action.”
“We have. We’re still in the preliminary stages, but I’ll keep you posted.” With that, Beth pushed to her feet.
“You’d better since I had a hand in this romance.” The woman’s smile filled her entire face.
“You did. More than you’ll ever know.” Beth buzzed a kiss across her forehead. “Right now I need to get food in this guy before he turns into a bear.”
“Before you go, I have a small gift for all your hard work. Only I haven’t wrapped it yet.”
Beth shook her head. “That isn’t necessary. We were well compensated for our time, and you have been a pleasure to work with.”
The corners of her mouth turned down. “Truly, it would mean a lot if I could give you this.”
Beth glanced from Michael back to Evelyn’s expression of distress. “All right, if you insist.”
“I’ll wrap it and send it to your hotel tomorrow. Thank you for allowing me to show my gratitude.”
“You’re welcome. And don’t forget what I said about staying in touch. Who knows when I’ll need more relationship advice?” Beth headed down the steps to the grass with Michael close behind.
“Were you serious about wanting to stay in Savannah?” Michael asked before they reached the front yard.
“I was, although the idea just came to me recently.”
“What about Kaitlyn? If we man the office here in Savannah, Nate won’t need to hire anyone.”
“That’s the tricky part. Her assignment with the Industrial Commission was temporary, and without another job, she might have to return to Florida.”
“Nate originally toyed with the idea of having a traveling investigator—someone willing to live wherever the case took them. But so much work started lining up here that he knew he needed a satellite office.”
Beth stopped dead in her tracks. “Traveling around would be perfect for Kaitlyn, at least until she’s ready to face what she’s afraid of in Florida.”
“Establishing another office would be perfect for a newlywed couple.” Michael grinned at her as he clicked open the car doors.
“Aren’t you getting a little ahead of yourself, Preston?”
“I know we must make Nate as impressed with Kaitlyn as we are, but that shouldn’t be too hard. How about Marlin Monroe’s for dinner? We had a great meal there the last time.”
Beth crossed her arms. “You know very well I’m not talking about her.”
“Oh…do you mean about the ‘newlywed’ part?” he asked, sounding way too innocent to be believed.
“I am, and you’re not getting off easy. I expect a true dog-and-pony proposal show.”
When Michael stopped at a red light, he turned toward her with an impish smile. “Not a problem. Why do you think we’re on our way to Marlin Monroe’s? I’m sure we can improve the romance factor of our auspicious first date.”
THIRTY-SEVEN
Beth, would you get away from there?” Michael whispered. “What if someone sees you with your ear pressed to the door? Let’s go back to the pool and wait like we were told.”
She didn’t move. “How big is Nate’s suite? I can’t hear anything going on. What’s taking him so long to make up his mind?”
Michael grabbed her hand and dragged her toward the elevator. “The longer the interview takes, the better things look for Kaitlyn. I’m sure she told him about her new identity by now.”
Beth dug in her heels like an obstinate horse. “Are you sure she understood your instructions? I probably should’ve talked to her while you picked up the boss at the airport.”
“She understood. When and if Nate starts talking particulars about the new Savannah office, she will send us a text and tell Nate we’re joining the conversation.”
“What if he feels manipulated?” Beth grabbed onto a post to hold her position.
“We’re talking about Nate Price, who is the epitome of easygoing.” Just as Michael picked Beth up to carry her like a sack of potatoes, the door to Nate’s suite swung open.
“Preston, Kirby. What are you two doing?”
“Nothing,” said Beth as soon as her feet hit the ground.
“We were just on our way in, sir.” Michael tucked in his shirt with a dignified air as they slunk past the boss.
Across the room, Kaitlyn greeted them with a big grin. “I’m hired!” she crowed.
“Hooray! Wise choice, boss,” Beth said, giving her official new coworker a high five.
Nate returned to the small conference table. “Except Miss Webb wishes to go wherever the case takes her, including Natchez. She seems to think one of you wants to stay in Savannah.” He looked at both Michael and Beth as they sat down.
“We’re hoping to work the office together,” said Michael. “We fell in love with the city.”
“Both of you? How would that work out?”
“It would work out spectacularly.” Beth held up her hand and wiggled her third finger, where a diamond ring sparkled.
“You’re engaged? To Preston?” Nate’s shock was all too apparent.
“I am. Strange things happen in a romantic old town like Savannah.” Beth hooked her arm through her fiancé’s elbow.
“Especially when there’s a full moon,” said Michael.
“I will never understand women.” Nate shook his head. “But getting back on track, are you both willing to go on assignment for a while? To wherever our next big case takes us? I thought one of my two veterans would be chomping at the bit to travel on the company’s dime.”
Kaitlyn’s eyes turned round. “I’ve always wanted to see the world. What kind of case is this? If you put your trust in me, I promise not to let you down.” She was practically levitating from her chair.
Nate held up his hands. “Don’t get too excited. The case might only take you a few days. A woman who was adopted as an infant wishes to track down a natural sibling. She knows only that her birth mother gave up two daughters fortysome years ago.”
“Isn’t this something that could be handled through the court system without hiring an investigator?” asked Beth.
“Usually, yes,” agreed Nate. “But the woman’s husband is adamant about finding the sibling even if she doesn’t wish to be found. If his wife doesn’t receive a transplant within the next six months, she will die. There are no suitable matches in the organ bank, and none is expected due to certain rare genetic markers. A natural sibling is her best and most likely only chance.”
“I’m the woman for the job,” said Kaitlyn. “Did I mention I was adopted as an infant?”
“She’s perfect, just like I told you, boss,” Beth said somewhat smugly.
Nate narrowed his gaze. “All I have to say to you, Miss Kirby, is that the wedding had better be in Natchez. Or I won’t be able to face my wife or Maxine or your mother when I get home.”
“No problem,” said Michael. “Beth wants a big wedding, and we know only three people here.”
“And two of them already ordered us out o
f town.”
Nate stood. “Save that story for another day. I would like to discuss salary and benefits with Miss Webb. So you two can go take a hike. We’ll go to dinner later to celebrate your engagement.”
Beth and Michael bolted for the door like children at the recess bell. “That certainly went well,” she said in the elevator.
“I told you it would. Nate is a practical man. Should we walk to Forsyth Park?” he asked in the lobby. “I just love it there.”
“That’s fine with me, but if we stay in Savannah, what happens to your Ironman competition with your buddies from the gym? You’ve been training for months.”
“My whole point was to get in shape. To prove to myself I could do it. Now that I have, I don’t need to be better than anyone else. Curtis Doyle helped me come to that conclusion.”
“Curtis Doyle? What does he have to do with this?” Beth snugged her arm around his waist as they crossed the street.
“Curtis blamed his father for all his miseries. Lamar picked up the gauntlet after their father died, and then Curtis blamed him. But when Curtis stopped letting Lamar support him, he finally gained peace of mind. Sometimes you win by refusing to play the game.”
“Didn’t somebody famous say that originally?” Beth asked.
“Only in her own mind…and in mine.” Michael kissed the top of her head.
“Guess what, Preston? My toes are tingling!”
“How ’bout that? Mine are too.” He moved in for another kiss but was thwarted by an interruption.
“Are you Miss Elizabeth Kirby?” asked a well-dressed young man. “I’m from Mrs. Hilda Gwinn’s office.”
“I am.”
“I’ve been instructed to deliver this package to you.” He held out a large yellow envelope.
“Am I being served a subpoena?”
“No, ma’am. It’s a gift.”
The moment Beth’s fingers grasped the envelope, the young man hurried away. “How bizarre was that?” she asked, turning her gaze up to Michael.
“Open it, Beth. The suspense is killing me.”
“Hold your horses.” Beth extracted an elaborately wrapped box from the envelope. A sparkly silver cord had been wrapped around the box several times and tied with an elaborate bow. Inside the box were two pieces of paper, one a note and the other a document. She scanned the document first. “Good grief. It’s the registration to the Lexus. Evelyn signed over Lamar’s car to me. It’s been witnessed and notarized, and apparently the tax has been paid, by all the notations.”
