Detective James pressed a button on his device and the recoding started.
“Hey boss, this is Glenn. Look, I'm going to have to call off our meeting today. I've … changed my mind. I know this is last minute, but I want to make sure you understand. The transaction today is a no go. I repeat. No go.”
When Detective James stopped the recording, Elizabeth looked up at him. “That was my husband. He was trying to call off their arrangement, wasn't he? He didn't want to kill himself?”
The detective nodded. “We believe so. But whether or not O'Connor actually got this message or deleted it by accident is still unclear. And we can't confirm when the call was made. At least we can assume that your husband had a change of heart at the last minute, which could also explain the defense wounds the ME found on his arms. When O'Connor showed up to the gallery, Glenn might have tried to fight him off, but it's likely O'Connor decided to go through with it as planned. Maybe for the money. Maybe for spite. Or maybe to tie up loose ends, for fear Glenn would eventually tell someone about the scheme. I don't expect I'll get any cooperation from him now that an attorney is involved, but I'll work with the district attorney to make sure Mr. O'Connor faces a murder charge.”
Fresh tears streaked Elizabeth's face as she tried to smile. “Thank you, detective. I appreciate everything you've done.”
“Sarah is the one who figured this out,” he said. “Thank her.”
He stood up, acknowledged us both with a curt nod, and began walking out of the cafeteria.
Elizabeth turned to me and smiled. “He's right. You did this all on your own. Thank you for everything you've done, Sarah. Really.”
I clasped Elizabeth's hand. “You should head home and get some rest.”
She smiled and nodded. “It may be my first night's sleep in a month.”
Chapter 19
Wednesday, May 1
I pushed myself out of bed at 9:00 and ambled to the kitchen to boil some water for the French press. All I wanted was a few hours to myself: no calls, no distractions, and no worries. Just me, my gigantic cup of coffee, and my Kindle. At least that was the plan.
Around 9:30 a.m., the knocking on my door was unrelenting. I had every intention of ignoring it until I heard Carter's voice.
“Sarah, I know you're in there. Are you decent?”
I scrambled off the couch and wrapped my robe around me. When I opened the door, Carter stood there, a distressed look on his face. “What the heck,” he said, “I've been calling you all morning. Did you shut your cell off or something?”
“That's right,” I said, standing to the side to allow him to enter. “I thought I deserved a morning to goof off. Besides, you haven't called in days. Figured you were still off doing whatever you were doing. You have exquisite timing, by the way. We found Glenn's killer.”
Carter didn't wait for an invitation as he claimed a chair at my kitchen table. “I know. I spoke with Elizabeth this morning.”
“That's nice,” I said, cool and collected. “So I guess she told you everything?”
“I'm in awe, actually. I want to hear every detail.”
“Tell you what. Let's play a game. I'll ask you a question. If you give me an honest answer, you can ask me a question. Sound fair?”
Carter blinked at me as if lost for words. “Um, okay.”
“Great. First question: where the hell have you been for the past three days? I've been worried.”
“You could have called me if you were so worried.”
“I was under the impression that you didn't want me to.”
He smiled, leaned back, and stretched his arm behind his head. “Truth is, I didn't go anywhere. I was at home the whole time. Did some yard work, fed my neighbor's fish, and finally finished War and Peace.”
I glared at him. “Ha ha. Funny joke. Now seriously, what happened to you?”
“Remember I told you I had a special gift for you ... for getting your private investigator's license?”
“Yeah?”
He made a sweeping motion with his hand. “Well, this was my gift.”
“I don't get it. Abandoning me in the middle of an important case was my gift? I'd hate to see what you'd give an enemy.”
“You're missing the point,” he said. “All I wanted was for you to spread your wings a little. Prove to yourself that you were capable. Because you are. Very capable.”
I stood silent, brooding.
Carter seemed a little nervous. “Sarah, are you really that pissed at me?”
“Honestly, I don't know whether to hug you or kick your ass.”
“First of all, I'd prefer the hug. Second of all, I'd like to see you try to kick my ass. Anyway, maybe this will help.” Carter reached into his pocket and handed me a check. “I'm giving you the full payment for the job. You solved it. You deserve it.”
I took the check and looked at the amount. Five thousand, six hundred dollars, payable to me. “Are you serious? This is too much.”
Carter smiled. “It's all yours. How does it feel?”
“It makes up for a lot, I guess.”
“Then let's go get breakfast. Your treat.”
“My pleasure,” I said. “Oh, and by the way, I'm going to Florida for a week.”
He smiled. “Good. You could use a tan.”
Two days later
On the way to Boston's Logan Airport, I stopped by the Fleming Gallery to see Elizabeth, as per her request.
She was looking spiffy in a tan business suit, her red curls tied back in a neat French twist. Her eyes were clear and blue, and her complexion seemed to glow. “Thanks for coming, Sarah. I wanted to share something with you.” She waved a hand. “Look around.”
The walls were covered with Glenn's original paintings, all portraits of his sister, Esther. It seemed as if the young girl’s eyes were staring at me from every angle. “Wow. You did a wonderful job hanging them. Are you going to sell them?”
“Yes,” she said. “I've decided to have an art auction. All the proceeds of the sale will go to the charity I'm setting up in honor of Glenn. The charity will raise money to help raise awareness of depression and other conditions that lead to suicide.”
“Glenn would be proud,” I said. “Please send me an invitation. I'd love to attend.”
“You'll be first on the list.”
“Have you talked to Glenn's mom?”
“Yes. She promised me she would fly in for the auction. I invited her to stay with me for as long as she wants. We have a lot to talk about.”
“So, have you decided to keep the gallery?”
“I think so. Glenn had so many wonderful paintings that no one has ever seen. I want to show the world his talent.”
Elizabeth looked around the gallery, a look of pride on her face. She seemed like a completely different woman and it made me smile. It was also precisely why I hesitated to ask my next question.
“Elizabeth, have you heard from Detective James?”
She sighed. “Yes. We spoke yesterday. They're building a case against O'Connor, but they still haven't found the gun he used to shoot Glenn. Chloe Goodwin has given a statement, and even though she doesn't seem to know much about O'Connor, her testimony will work against him by proving his involvement in illegal activities. I expect it will be a long, drawn-out ordeal. But that's okay. I'm moving on. I have to. Speaking of moving on, are you heading somewhere?”
“Palm Beach for a week. My boyfriend Max has a temporary assignment there.”
She smiled and took my hand. “I hope you have a wonderful time. I want to thank you again for all of your hard work pertaining to my case. A huge burden has been lifted off my shoulders. You're a star.”
“I'm so glad I could help.”
She gave me a hug, then walked me to the door. “Could I ask for one last favor, Sarah?”
“Anything.”
“Embrace the time you have with Max now. Don't let time slip away. Tell him how you feel every chance you get.”
I
nodded and gave one more hug. “Thank you for the advice. It's exactly what I needed to hear.”
THE END
The next Sarah Woods book
An Appetite for Revenge (Book 7)
is available on Amazon.com
An Appetite for Revenge (Sarah Woods Book 7)
Or to purchase Volume 3 Box Set
Sarah Woods Mystery Series (Volume 3)
Sarah Woods Mystery Series (1-6) Boxed Set Page 74
