“You won’t be cold for long.” He shoved me toward the door.
I stumbled several steps until I cleared the doorway. My dress was long-sleeved, and he’d left my boots on, thank goodness. Although they were more of a spring boot, they were better than bare feet.
“You might not have intended to murder anyone, but you’re intentionally being heartless by making me suffer.”
“I lost your coat on the snowmobile ride here.” He lifted one shoulder. “Sorry. I couldn’t exactly go back for it with half the police department after me.”
“What about your coat?” I asked, looking around for an escape route.
“Like I said, you won’t need it for long. I will.”
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“Just keep walking.”
The sun was shining on the pristine white snow, but all I could think about was how messy it would soon be if he shot me. I was shivering uncontrollably now. We walked probably fifty feet, when we came to a fresh grave. I swallowed hard, my stomach twisting into knots.
That had to be Jasmine’s.
“I made the mistake of dumping Ray in the river. I thought with the water being frozen, the current beneath the ice would take him far enough away from Divinity, and no one would discover his body until the spring. I didn’t count on the ice fishing competition and him being the catch of the day.”
That was an understatement, I thought, but was too afraid to say anything.
“I won’t make that mistake again.” He stopped walking behind me, the woods eerily quiet. I could hear my heart beat in my ears, and the sound of his heavy breathing behind me. “Pick up the shovel and start digging.”
I turned around slowly to look at him with my hands in the air. “You’re kidding, right? The ground is frozen, and I’m not nearly strong enough to dig.”
“Try anyway.”
I picked up the shovel and tried to shove it into the ground to no avail. Even if I’d wanted to, there was no way that would happen. Looking at him, I shrugged. “See? Looks like you won’t be able to kill me after all.”
“Nice try. It doesn’t really matter, I guess.” He raised his gun, pointed it straight at my head and cocked it. “Nobody comes out here in the winter, and the wildlife will dispose of your remains come spring.”
I closed my eyes tight. This was it. I was going to die before ever getting to marry the love of my life. I thought of my parents and of the children I’d never have. I thought of Jo and the babies I would never get to meet. I thought of never getting to grow old and never having another argument with my grumpy pants. And I thought of Morty. How would I ever live without seeing my kindred spirit again?
A hissing noise came from the side, and I could have cried. I whipped my eyes open to see Morty with hackles raised, fangs showing and eyes glowing.
“What the hell…?” Adam turned his gun on Morty, and my heart bottomed out.
“No!” I shouted and dove to the side without giving it a second thought. All that ran through my mind was I couldn’t lose either of the most important guys in my life, as I felt the searing heat of a bullet penetrate my flesh… then the world went black.
“Tink, wake up. You have to be okay. I can’t live without you. Whatever it takes, I’ll do it.” I felt big warm hands on my face. “Please, baby, don’t leave me.” Mitch’s voice came to me as if through a dream.
Was I dead? Was my detective with me?
My heart started pounding over that thought. Not so much over the thought of my own death, but I couldn’t bear for anything bad to happen to my soulmate or my sidekick. Speaking of sidekicks…
Morty!
I surged up, then cried out in pain and dropped back down. All my senses came flooding back at once on a rush of feelings. Cold, numb toes and fingers ached something fierce, and pinpricks raced all along my arms and legs as my body felt the blood rush back in. Then the horrible throbbing pain in my shoulder brought back the memory of what had happened.
I’d been shot by Adam Burrows.
“Sunny, talk to me,” Mitch said louder.
I definitely wasn’t dead. “You don’t have to yell.” I pried my eyes open, fear nearly rendering me speechless, but I had to know. “Where’s Morty?” I finally managed to get out.
“There’s my sassy girl.” Mitch’s strong rugged features wilted with relief. “Thank God you’re okay.”
“Morty? Was he hurt?”
“Not at all. I mean, we’re talking about Morty here. I’m the one who’s a mess.” He scrubbed a hand over his face, and I had to admit he looked terrible. “I’ve been terrified and trying to find you all night, Sunny. Once your wire cut out, we had no way of tracking you. I had just about given up hope, which I have to say was the worst experience of my life. When Morty showed up out of nowhere with blood on his paws, I thought maybe he was hurt at first. Sure, we’re still not on the best of terms, but I wanted to help. That darn cat wouldn’t let me touch him. When he kept fussing and not hissing at me, I immediately knew he had been with you. He was pretty persistent in wanting me to follow him, so I did. He led us here.”
“Us?”
Mitch moved aside so I could see every possible 911 department had arrived.
“Where is he?” I needed to see that he was okay for myself.
“Once he led us here, he disappeared as usual.”
“But you said his paws were bloody.”
“I’m guessing he’s fine. The blood isn’t his.”
“Is it mine?” I asked, afraid of what I might find. I lifted my fingers up to feel a big bandage on my shoulder.
“No, it’s not your blood. You were shot, but the bullet went clean through your shoulder. You were lucky. The guy who shot you… not so much.” Again, he moved aside and helped me to sit up.
My eyes widened as I took in the sight of Adam Burrows buried neck deep in the hole he wanted me to dig. The ground had been frozen solid. Who had dug the hole? Adam’s face was clawed and bloody, his eyes looking as if he were in shock as the police tried to dig him back out.
“But how…?”
“I’m guess Morty gave him a taste of his own medicine. He hurt him, buried him, but left him alive so he could suffer a worse fate by going to jail.”
I closed my eyes for a moment, loving my cat more than ever. When I opened my teary eyes again, I said, “Adam killed Ray and Jasmine.”
“I know. We found her grave and his gun. A 9-millimeter. I’m betting he killed Gunther as well.” Mitch cupped my face and stroked a thumb over my cheekbone. “As much as I hate to admit this, we wouldn’t have caught him if it wasn’t for you.”
“As much as I hate to admit this, that was the scariest thing I’ve ever done. I should have listened to you.”
“Wait, can you repeat that?”
“No.” I laughed softly, then winced at the pain. “Cole and Jo will be so relieved. We should go tell them. Can we go home now?”
“No way. We aren’t doing anything. You’re going straight to the hospital. And this time I don’t want any arguments.”
“Okay.”
“Okay?” He stared at me with skepticism written all over his handsome face. “What’s the catch?”
“No catch.” I took his hand in mine and held on tight. “When you have your life flash before your eyes, it tends to set your priorities straight.”
His face looked so serious. “My thoughts exactly.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means I love you.”
“I love you too, but—”
“We’ll talk later.” He wrapped me up in a blanket and carried me to an ambulance. “Right now, I need to know you’re okay for real.”
For once, I didn’t argue because I knew exactly how he felt. I’d had a moment of clarity. I didn’t know for certain what the future held in store for us, but I did know I wanted that future to involve a wedding with me becoming the wife of one Detective Grumpy Pants.
23
“He
re you go, darling, have some more tea.” My mother poured more hot water into my cup, waiting on me hand and foot and insisting I stay at the inn while I recovered. Morty had been waiting for me when I arrived home from the hospital and hadn’t left my side since. He didn’t have a scratch on him, but I had to admit I didn’t want him out of my sight either.
“Mother, I was shot in the shoulder. I can still fend for myself.” As much as I appreciated all the attention, I felt suffocated. And I’d only been here for a few hours. Her face fell for a moment before she covered up her feelings like she always did. “I’m sorry, Mom. I really am grateful for everything.” I took a sip of my tea and smiled wide. “Yummy.”
She looked pleased with herself. It had been a battle all day between her and the Tasty Trio over who could take care of me and Morty the best. Morty squirmed, sporting a new bowtie, compliments of Granny Gert. And his fur was all fluffy from the bath Great-Grandma Tootsie had given him. I sniffed and wrinkled my nose over the cologne Auntie Fiona had sprayed on him. He stared into my eyes, and I sighed, thinking, I know, buddy. I can’t wait to go home, either.
The doorbell rang. I jumped up, and Morty bolted off my lap. “Got it,” I hollered, but not quite quick enough.
“You’ll do no such thing of the sort.” My father cut me off and pointed a finger at the couch, sporting a look I hadn’t seen since I was ten.
My shoulders drooped and I sat back down.
“You, too, mister.” He motioned for Morty to join me on the couch, and my cat actually listened. I felt like I was living in an alternate universe.
Harry answered the door and returned a moment later with my fiancé. I gave Mitch a look that said, Help! His lips twitched a little, but that was it. I was beginning to think he’d orchestrated the whole thing for me to stay put and out of trouble, and for Morty to babysit me. There was no need. We had our killer. Case closed. Hence, there was no reason I had to stay here.
I narrowed my eyes at him.
He ignored me and sat down in the chair by the couch, his face turning serious as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
I knew that look and nothing good ever came from it. “What’s wrong?” I asked, dread filling me.
He looked exhausted, and I was pretty sure he hadn’t slept in the past twenty-four hours. “Turns out Adam Burrows’ gun is not the one that killed Gunther.”
My heart sank. “Really? I was so certain.”
“I was hopeful as well, but at least he’s still in jail for killing Ray and Jasmine. He won’t be able to hurt you anymore.”
“Then why the long face?”
“I’ve been working nonstop, especially when I thought this case was finally wrapped up. What I discovered after ruling out Adam is that our other leads aren’t panning out either.” He pulled out his notebook and flipped through it. “Gretta came forward when she realized she was working in her grocery store and saw Ralph at the time of Gunther’s murder. He wasn’t even at the motorcycle expo center.”
“That’s good for Ralph and Kristen at least.”
“True.” He looked through more of his notes. “Then there’s Renee.”
“What about her?”
“Raoulle informed me she was trading secrets with him in his salon at the time of Gunther’s murder, so she now has an alibi as well.” Mitch closed his notebook and rubbed the back of his neck as he closed his eyes for a moment.
“I didn’t think Renee was guilty of murdering Gunther. She might have been hurt and angry, but she still loved him. I’m happy for her. She’s not a bad person. In fact, she’s been very helpful to me.”
“I agree, Tink,” he opened his eyes and looked at me with genuine concern, “but I’m not happy.”
“Why?”
“Cole’s gun is still missing, and we’re out of suspects.”
“Oh…” I let out a big breath.
“Yeah.” He leaned his head back and Morty actually jumped on his lap. He didn’t even flinch like he would have in the old days. He just absently stroked Morty’s back, and Morty purred.
My heart completely melted, and I finally felt complete. Until I remembered what this news would do to my best friend. “When are you going to tell Cole?”
“Not today,” Zack said with Cathy in the foyer as they put their coats on.
I hadn’t even heard them arrive.
“Sorry to eavesdrop,” Cathy said. “I came to pick Zack up. He’s helping out at West Construction today.”
“The last thing Cole needs is to lose hope,” Zack said with a firm tone, and Cathy nodded in agreement. “He’s innocent. We all know that. The truth always comes out eventually. Until then, I intend to keep his spirits up as one of his best friends.”
“Roger that.” Mitch rubbed his hands together, and Morty jumped off his lap. “I’m not giving up. There has to be something we’re missing. You can bet I won’t stop until I find it.” He stood. “I’ve got work to do. Will you be okay here?” he asked me.
“No, but I will be okay at Smokey Jo’s.” I stood and walked past him. Only after donning my coat did I respond. “Tonight is the chili cookoff. As one of Jo’s best friends, I intend to support her as well.” I looked around, but Morty had already disappeared.
“Fair enough.” Mitch joined us at the door. “Looks like we all have a job to do, but we’d better get out of here before the posse stops us.”
He didn’t have to tell me twice.
“Wow, that tastes great, Jo.” I wiped my mouth with a napkin.
“You think so?” She stood behind the bar, stressing over her presentation, wanting everything to be perfect. The judges would make the rounds among all the restaurants participating and sample everyone’s chili, then reconvene at the judge’s stand on Main Street, with a community bonfire to follow.
“I think this is the year you’re going to beat Nikko.” He ran the Italian restaurant and served a top-secret chili recipe his mama had given him, which was the winner every year. Maybe this was the year for a change. Jo had outdone herself this year. Maybe it was because she was in nesting mode at the end of her pregnancy. Whatever the reason, she had created magic this time around.
“She’s a winner,” Cole said, as he walked through the front door with Cathy and Zack. Miles, Sean and Zoe were already here while Mitch was still looking for that missing piece of the puzzle.
“I’ve been hearing great buzz from the tables.” Zoe approached the bar and set empty bowls on the counter for Sean to take to the back. Filling her tray with new bowls, she returned to the waiting tables.
“I wish I could help,” I said, but I only had one good arm.
“No way. Your fiancé will kill me if I let you lift a finger,” Jo said.
“I can help.” Miles jumped up, and Jo gladly handed him an apron.
Cathy and Zack sat at the bar with me, while Cole went in the back to help Sean keep the chili coming.
“How did today go at the construction office?” I asked. “Did he seem okay?” I motioned my head toward the swinging door where Cole had just disappeared, not wanting to say his name out loud or bring any attention to our conversation. Especially from Jo. She was busy manning the bar and didn’t need any distractions or any more to worry about.
Cathy shrugged. “He’s okay. He puts on a brave face when he’s with Jo, but I can see the strain on him at work.”
“He’s about the best person I know.” Zack shook his head. “I’ve known him forever. Sure, he’s made mistakes in the past. We all have. He doesn’t deserve to have the rest of his life ruined.”
“Don’t worry. Justice will prevail. It always does,” Miles said from behind us as he rounded the bar and refilled his tray with more bowls of chili. “You guys might want to lower your voices, though.” He jerked his head to the side toward Jo who was headed in our direction. “She’s a little fragile these days.”
Now there was a sentence I never expected to hear anyone utter.
“Thanks so much for your help, Miles.” Jo
squeezed his arm. “Things are going much more smoothly now.” Worry lines I hadn’t noticed before creased the corners of her eyes and her cheeks looked a little drawn.
“My pleasure,” Miles said. “And I’m with Sunny. I think this chili is the winner.” He winked.
“From your lips to the judges’ ears.” She went back to the other end of the bar to fix more presentations.
“It really is delicious.” Cathy ate the last spoonful from her bowl.
“It is good, but a little spicy for my tastes.” Zack coughed. He took a drink of water, then coughed again.
“You do look a little flushed.” Cathy studied his face. “Are you allergic to anything? Your face looks a little puffy.”
“Not that I know of, but something is definitely bothering my throat.” He went into a full-blown coughing fit. He stood and stumbled a bit, then his eyes rolled back in his head and he collapsed on the floor.
“Zack!” Cathy shrieked, slapping her hands over her mouth and looking like she was in shock.
I tried to touch Cathy’s arm to reassure her, but she flinched and jumped away. She just kept shaking her head no, over and over, with tears streaming down her face.
Miles looked at her, startled, then dropped to his knees. “Zack, buddy, speak to me.” He felt for a pulse.
“Oh, no,” Jo grabbed her belly, “this can’t be happening again.”
“Tell me he’s not dead, man.” Cole gripped his apron in his huge hands. He and Sean had rushed from the back after the noise from the crowd had increased.
“He has a pulse, but it’s weak. Better call 911. The rest of you, stand back.” Miles stood guard over Zack, still trying to revive him until the ambulance showed up.
Suddenly, winning the chili cookoff was the last thing on anyone’s mind.
24
“What’s up?” Mitch asked Cole at West Construction the next morning. He’d been working all night, trying to solve this latest mystery.
“You sounded urgent when you called us.” I’d followed Mitch, not about to miss whatever Cole had to say. Since Mitch wanted to keep an eye on me, he’d agreed. Neither of us had been able to sleep after Zack had ended up in the hospital. Jo had been so upset, her doctor had sent her home and ordered her to bed rest. Miles and Cathy had gone to the hospital while Zoe and Sean had closed the Tavern. The chili cookoff had been cancelled with no winner, sending Mayor Cromwell into fits.
Hazard in the Horoscope Page 19
