by Laura Greene
If only the elements had forewarned her, if only the fountain she passed earlier had whispered the great tragedy that awaited her.
Tam, the groundskeeper and relative of the Deacons, holds Melody as she hysterically shakes and stops her from trying to run back into the house to save Will. She can see the flames have almost wholly engulfed the house, but she is still hopeful she can find an opening to get to Will in time.
Mr. Sanders, as Rebecca and most of the townspeople know Melody’s father, reunites with his old student Rebecca and keeps her occupied with games for her and her doll while Tam attends to Melody. They sit off to the side, away from Tam and Melody, playing with her doll as she reveals to him all the adventures she had with Miss Winter.
When the rescue team arrives, it’s too late. They declare the horrid news to Melody and Tam: Will Deacon died trying to rescue his brother. Melody is numb.
“Why?” is all she can muster. Melody has so many questions and so few answers.
While sitting in a corner with her, Tam explains what happened. “The tax evasion investigation that the Deacons had with HMRC was because of Mr. Max.”
“Max? I thought it was his father.”
“No, Max was furious his father would not deal in the black markets, so he did it himself and that triggered the investigation. When their father found out, he threatened to cut Max out of the will. Well, Max in turn panicked and in the middle of an argument, he murdered their father.”
“Over money?” Melody is disturbed by how greed can cause such a senseless end to someone’s life.
Tam nods his head, embarrassed to admit Max’s wrongdoing. “When Mr. Will found oot, he helped protect his brother by covering up the murder.”
“So, the story that was published in the mainland paper?”
“A complete fabrication. There was no trip tae Hawaii, their father had no girlfriend either. The two brothers accounted for every loophole, anything that would lead the murder back to them, except for one factor that is.”
“My father.”
“That’s right. They didnae ken that Mr. Sanders was their father’s business partner in the Middle East, and he was scheduled to visit him here at the mansion. Being that Mr. Sanders is quite intelligent, he knew that their father would not go to Hawaii when he had business tae attend tae. So, he came onto the island undercover, he put two and two together and came up with murder. When he confronted Max aboot it…”
“Max feared blackmail, not knowing that my father was a changed man.”
“That’s right, lass.” He confirms. “He threatened to kill Mr. Sanders, but this time, Mr. Will stepped in just in time and convinced his brother to hide him until they decided what to do with him.”
“Will, saved my father’s life.” Melody realizes how fortunate she and her father were to have Will in their lives and she takes a moment to thank God quietly in her heart for the opportunity to know someone as giving as Will.
“Yes, Miss. Mr. Will was a kind man he was. I’ll miss him dearly.” Tam reminisces. Melody finally learns the truth of what happened on Deacon Island, except her regret is the truth came at such an expensive price.
Epilogue
Tam and Melody plan together how to best preserve the Deacon family name for Rebecca’s sake. It is important to both of them to make sure the unfortunate history of her family does not follow Rebecca.
They hush everything up as the Deacons are now laid to rest.
Tam inherits the estate and gives Melody the money to start her archeology dig back up in Greece.
Mr. Sanders continues running the Deacon businesses internationally, and Tam handles the affairs on Deacon Island. Having a better understanding of the needs of the townspeople, Tam develops a plan to restore the land the Deacons once took, back to the local owners. The townspeople love Tam for making this decision.
Rebecca enrolls in the local school and makes new friends.
Everything is calm once more at Talon’s Point. Emma’s Chippy shop continues to circulate with gossip from Glen Talon. The Howling Dog Inn entertains guests from far places and Morrison serves his purpose in providing comfort and good banter at his pub. For now, everything is as it should be.
What years of peace and quiet will bring to Talon’s Point is yet to be determined, but Melody is the person to call should trouble brew anything more than Glen Talon whiskey.
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Also by Laura Greene
Wild Cove Mystery Series
Murder At Wild Cove Book 1
Susan Dern is Missing Book 2
The Demise of Tom Hendry Book 3
The Past Life of Jane Scott Book 4
The Hooded Figure Book 5
Behind The Crime Series
The Secret Room Book 1
The Houston Party Book 2
The Unclaimed Dead Book 3
Frozen In Time Book 4
Harlan’s Secret Book 5
A Boarding Case Mystery Series
The Deadly School Book 1
Buried in the Dark Book 2
Close To Her Killer Book 3
Grave Danger Book 4
Hunt The Judge Book 5
A Disappearance Mystery Thriller Series
The Father’s Disappearance Book 1
What Everyone Knew Book 2
Follow The Dark Tale Book 3
Going To Find Father Book 4
Who Do You Trust Now? Book 5
The Father’s Tale Book 6
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About the Author
Laura Greene is an international bestselling Crime fiction and Murder Mystery author. She loves the outdoors. Hiking, exploring new adventures in nature and spending time with her family make for some of her favorite moments in life. When she’s not writing a new Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, she loves to connect with her readers whom she considers her friends. Join Laura Greene on Facebook.
