Joe gave me an apologetic look. “I wanted to make sure you got the full confession before I barged in from outside.”
“Well, you did, hook, line and sinker,” I said.
Chapter Twenty-Six
“How’s that for a Hollywood ending?” Joe quipped.
Two of Joe’s deputies hauled Tyler away and loaded him into the back of their squad car. That left my brother and me with a moment alone. This should be interesting. Or, an argument-in-waiting.
Joe’s eyes were filled with concern. This must have been a difficult thing for him to digest. It was one thing to be proven wrong, it was another for his sister to do it. As much as I’d like to believe he could take it in stride, I knew better than that.
He was having trouble stomaching the humble pie that life had served him.
I wasn’t the kind of sister that enjoyed rubbing my brother’s face in things. Instead, I tried to be as sympathetic to his situation as possible.
“You ok?” I asked.
“I’m never going to hear the end of it,” he complained.
“Sure you will,” I tried assuring him.
He scoffed. “That’s not likely. I just got out-sleuthed by my former-actress sister. I can see the embarrassing headlines now--”
That’s when I blurted out something I’d been thinking about but wasn’t quite sure I was ready to share just yet. Apparently, my subconscious had other ideas. “I won’t tell.”
He stopped the conversation right there to make sure he heard me right. “What did you say?”
I gave my brother the kind of no-nonsense look that could not be misinterpreted and spoke my mind again. “This could be our secret.”
While he was touched by the sentiment, his ego was having a hard time buying how I could be so selfless. “Really? You’d go to all this trouble to crack the case, and then not take credit?”
I nodded. “Yeah.”
That stopped him cold. “Wow.”
“I didn’t do this for credit. I did it to prove my friend’s innocence.” There, that should settle it. I took a deep breath as the emotions of the last few days started rushing back to me. “I’m just relieved this is over.”
Once again, he found a way to defy my expectations. My brother shook his head. “No. I can’t let you do this. You cracked this case. This was all you. I know how difficult of a thing that is to do. Sis, you earned the spotlight. I don’t want to take that away from you.”
Talk about a one in a million, blink and you’ll miss it moment. There we were, two siblings, neither of us known for being magnanimous, both deciding to give it a try at the same time. At first, I wondered if there was something in the air.
At the same time, something had to give. In this instance, I was willing to bend over backward, like a contortionist in the limbo world championships.
“Trust me, I’m ok with it,” I said.
There was serious doubt in his voice as he replied. “Are you sure? I mean, after all we’ve been through, I don’t want any hard feelings.”
The problem with trying to bury the hatchet on twenty years’ worth of bad blood was the sheer volume of baggage involved. We’d danced around the topic so long it had become like a bed of hot coals that neither was willing to risk walking across. I wasn’t afraid of getting burnt anymore. Whatever it took, I was going to mend the fences between us.
“After all we’ve been through, I want to put the years of hard feelings behind us. I care infinitely more about us being on good terms than I do about getting a headline in the paper.”
The expression on his face morphed. Gone was the disheartening judgment, replaced by a welcome gaze. Dare I say, he even looked impressed? “You’ve changed.”
“For the better, I hope,” I replied.
He smiled and then nodded. “For the best, I think.”
“Good. It’s settled then.”
Just when I thought the sailing couldn’t get any smoother, we hit choppy waters. “Not so fast.”
“Guess we don’t get a Hollywood ending quite yet.”
“There’s something I need to tell you,” he said.
“What is it?”
“I’m sorry for not believing you when it came to Paige. If I would have listened to you in the first place, we might have wrapped this case up much sooner.”
“While we’re apologizing, I’m sorry for lying to you and investigating this case behind your back.”
“Yeah, but you were right.”
“Tell you what. Why don’t we call it even?”
He nodded. “Sounds good to me.”
“In the future, what do you say we stick together?”
“Agreed.”
For the first time in decades, we looked at each other not as rivals, but as family. It felt good. Even more, I knew my brother felt the same way. With the drama finally out of the way, we both felt inclined to blow off some steam.
“Phew. It feels good to have that behind us,” I said.
“Are you talking about the case or two decades of festering family issues?”
“All of the above.”
He smiled. “Tell me about it.”
“I think I’ve told you enough already,” I joked.
That got a healthy chuckle out of him. The joking didn’t last as long as I’d hoped for. My brother suddenly had a lingering question.
“By the way, how did you figure out who the killer was?”
I remained coy. “I may not be a detective in real life, but I played one on TV.”
“Very funny.”
“I wasn’t joking. In all seriousness, it looks like my acting career was good for something. You solve enough cases on TV, and you pick up some tricks on how to do it in real life.”
“Go figure. Well, maybe those newfound detective skills of yours will come in handy on the next case.”
I had a much different take. “Let’s hope there isn’t a next time.”
He smiled. “I hear you. Unfortunately, crime rarely takes a day off.”
“Spoken like a true grizzled detective.”
“Hey, I represent that. At the same time, over the years I’ve learned that it’s important to relish the good moments when they come along.”
That’s when my rumbling stomach took center stage. “Speaking of, I could go for some food.”
“How about a donut?”
I chuckled and shook my head. “Of course, where else would a cop go after a case than a donut shop?”
“You should know that. You played one on TV.”
“Who knew? Apparently, art really does imitate life,” I joked.
He gave me a zinger right back. “Are we calling that TV show of yours art now?”
“Do you want a donut or not?” I asked. “My treat.”
“I’d love one, but I have paperwork to do.”
I grimaced. “Bummer. I guess that means more for me.”
“Don’t remind me. Ah, paperwork, how I loathe thee. This is one of the few times I wish my life was a TV detective show.”
“Yeah, paperwork doesn’t make for good television. Anyway, give me a call when you’re done with your riveting forms. If you’re lucky, maybe I will have saved you a donut,” I said.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
While the discussion with my brother was like taking a ride on the world’s tallest emotional roller coaster, despite the thrilling conclusion, I was looking for less zigging and a whole lot less zagging in my personal life.
When I told Paige the good news about the killer being behind bars, she responded with pure joy and a healthy side dish of relief for good measure. In all my life, I’d never seen anyone walk on air so much. Sure a weight had been lifted off her back, but she looked like she was floating around like an astronaut in zero gravity. For a few minutes, it seemed like she was never going to come down from that high.
When she finally pulled her head out of the clouds, she nearly tackled me with a smothering hug. She held me so tight, it nearly knocked the wind
out of me.
“I just can’t thank you enough,” Paige said.
“Trust me, you’re thanking me plenty. Maybe a little too much. I can barely breathe.”
As I began to wheeze, she let go of the hug. “Oh. Sorry. I got a little wrapped up in the moment.”
I caught my breath. “Well, no one could ever accuse you of being unappreciative.”
She blushed. “I guess not. Sorry if I got too excited. It’s hard to overstate what a new lease on life I have.”
I nodded. “The world looks a little different when you’re not worried about spending the rest of your life behind bars.”
“That’s so true. I feel like I have a second chance of my own.”
I gave her a knowing smile. “I know what you mean. It feels good to get another chance. It’s not every day that you get a new lease on life.”
“It sure isn’t, and I couldn’t have done it without you.”
I flashed her a smile and then wiped my forehead with my hand, as if to say phew. “I’m just glad this is behind us.” After that, a change of subject was in order. “So, what are you going to do now?”
“Part of me wants to hit the town and celebrate like crazy. Another part of me just wants to crash and take a nice, long nap.”
“At least those aren’t on completely different sides of the spectrum,” I joked.
“I know, right? Then again, I could always do both; celebrate like crazy, and then just crash for a day or two.”
“The best of both worlds.” I laughed. “You have plenty of time to figure it out.”
“That’s true. I have my whole life ahead of me.”
Just as the conversation seemed to be turning to lighter fare, Paige abruptly switched gears all of a sudden. “I just want to tell you again that I can’t thank you enough for what you did.”
It was getting harder to take the compliments in stride. I’d done a good job of shelving my ego so far, but if I wasn’t careful, I’d have to book my ego its own penthouse suite. I had to find a way to diffuse things again, and fast. “Seeing you not going to jail is all the thanks I need.”
“It’s nice of you to be so humble, but I want to do something for you as a sign of my appreciation.”
“You really don’t have to.”
“Hope, I want to. How about treating you to dinner and dessert.”
My overactive stomach answered for me. “Then again, I won’t turn down a free meal.”
“That’s what I thought. So, are we on then?”
I nodded. “I know just the place to go, too.”
Paige had a theory. “Let me guess, Davinci’s?”
Davinci’s was an upscale Italian restaurant, the favorite of patrons celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions. It was a delight for the taste buds, but a blight for savings accounts. So when I shook my head, I knew both Paige and her wallet would be relieved.
“I was actually thinking of Home Sweet Home Cooking.”
Paige bit the corner of her lip, perplexed. “Hmm. Considering this is on my dime, I thought you’d go for a more expensive place. At the same time, my dime thanks you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Out of curiosity, what made you choose there?”
Then, as if on cue, Daniel Jacobsen entered, carrying a plastic bag. Suddenly, I didn’t need to answer. The excited look on my face was all Paige needed to see.
I couldn’t get over the timing of it all. Maybe the old saying about timing in life being everything really was true. Or, perhaps I was just looking too far into things, as I was often known to do. After all, I didn’t know why Daniel was here. One thing was clear; I was interested to find out.
I made no bones about the fact that part of the reason I’d picked Home Sweet Home Cooking over Davinci’s was because I knew Daniel would be there. The fact that comfort food would be plentiful was just a bonus. Little did I know he’d be dropping into the shelter unexpectedly.
It was good to see him. In the two times we’d spoken before, the conversation was lively. Would the banter continue? Doubt crept into my mind when he gave me an overeager smile. Not that I didn’t appreciate enthusiasm, but I could tell there was something else going on. There was a jittery, nervous energy in his body language that he was failing to keep subdued.
During our previous conversations, he’d been carefree. His free-spirited energy was part of what drew me to him in the first place. I wondered what was weighing so heavy on his mind now. There was an easy way to find out.
“Hey there, stranger. Long time, no see,” I deadpanned.
He laughed. “Yeah. It’s been what, a whole day since I last saw you?”
I corrected him. “It’s been less than twenty-four hours, actually.”
“I didn’t know you were keeping count.”
“There’s a bunch you don’t know about me.”
“Actually, that’s why I’m here.”
I scrunched my nose. “I’m not following. Why are you here again?”
Before he had a chance to tell me, he stopped and got self-conscious. I soon understood why. Out the corner of my eye, I saw Paige watching our conversation like a hawk. She was in full eavesdropping mode and made no bones about it.
Both Daniel and I turned to Paige. She did not welcome the attention. With all eyes on her, she clammed up. She gave us a weak smile.
“Hi.”
Daniel played along. “Hey.”
An awkward silence then followed. It was clear Daniel wanted to speak to me alone but was too polite to ask Paige to excuse herself. Instead, he silently waited for her to pick up on the subtle hints.
She didn’t catch his drift. “Well, you two carry on. Pretend I’m not here.”
He did just the opposite. Daniel turned to me with a suggestion. “Can I talk to you alone for a moment--outside?”
“Of course,” I replied. I then turned to Paige. “Excuse us.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Daniel and I stepped outside for privacy but received little. Out the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Paige spying on our conversation from the window. I didn’t blame her. I’d be doing the same thing if I were in her place. As a friend, it just came with the territory. Besides, it felt good to have someone genuinely care about me and to have a rooting interest in my happiness, even if it did come across as nosy.
The sad fact was, in the months that Paige had known me, this was the first sign that my romantic life even had a pulse. Ever since the debacle of my last relationship, my whole dating life had flatlined. That’s why I could shrug off Paige’s prying eyes; all I really cared about was what Daniel had to say.
Now, if only he could get the words out. What an inopportune time for his tongue to get tied. When he was joking around with me inside the shelter, he was full of charisma. The moment he was alone with me, I saw his nerves acting up again. He clammed up like a wallflower at a public speaking gig.
I tried to help him along with a warm smile and some gentle urging. “So, what’s on your mind?”
His answer was simple and succinct, yet touched me deeply.
“You,” he said.
“Me?” I replied.
“You sound surprised.”
“Delighted is more like it.”
He gazed into my eyes. “That’s good to hear. I have to admit, I’ve had a hard time getting you off my mind lately.”
“Really? Maybe that’s why I’ve been a little absent-minded all of a sudden. I’ve been on your mind instead,” I joked.
He chuckled. “That could be it.”
“Let’s not go searching for other explanations. I wouldn’t want you changing your mind.”
“Trust me, there’s little chance of that happening.”
I was intrigued. “Oh, really?”
“It’s not often that someone sweeps into my life who is so fun, easygoing, and beautiful.”
“You sure know how to flatter a woman,” I replied.
“Sorry for making yo
u blush. If I’m coming on a little strong, I don’t mean to. It’s just that a woman as special as you is a rarity in my life.”
“There you go again, topping yourself. I’m not sure that I deserve a compliment like that, but I’m certainly not going to turn it down.”
He looked me deep in the eyes. “Trust me, you do.”
So much for not getting ahead of myself. My heart was swooning like crazy while I got lost in his eyes. “Well, thank you. That’s so sweet.”
“Speaking of, that reminds me. I brought you something.”
He held out the plastic bag that I had forgotten he was even holding.
“What is it?” I asked.
Daniel hadn’t come all this way to spoil the surprise now. He wanted to see my face as I opened it. “Go ahead and find out.”
I did, and boy was I delighted. Inside the bag was a lemon bar that had been packed in a restaurant to-go container. The bar looked so good that I had to keep my mouth from watering.
“Wow. I can’t believe you got this for me,” I said.
“Don’t act too surprised. I do own a restaurant.”
“Look, I know you didn’t have to go out of your way to get this, but it’s the thought that counts. Not to mention, it’s nice to know you were thinking of me.”
He corrected me. “Thinking? Have you forgotten already? I couldn’t get you out of my head.”
“Right.”
“You said life has given you some lemons in the past. The least I could do was bring you a lemon bar for all your trouble.”
“Here’s hoping there won’t be any more trouble.”
“In that case, enjoy the bar. It may be the last one you have.”
“Don’t be silly. The one constant in my life is and always will be desserts.”
He laughed. “Of course. My mistake.”
“I’ll say. Never underestimate the power of a good dessert,” I said.
“Let’s hope this lemon bar lives up to those lofty expectations.”
“You know, it’s funny.”
He didn’t follow my logic. “What is?”
Meredith Potts Fourteen Book Cozy Mystery Set Page 37
