Anderson hissed at her, and Kate turned away from him to stare at her loved ones once more. Mrs. O’Brien wore a peaceful expression, oddly enough. Kate crossed her fingers, hoping that the drug would soon wear off and leave Luke and her without any repercussion—or recollection of what had happened.
Chapter Seventy-Seven
Monday, July 16th, 2018
A couple of days in the hospital had been enough to grant both Luke and his mother a clean bill of health. While Kate was drowning in paperwork, Luke had suggested getting out of her way. Plus, he really wanted nothing to do with the press who’d been following them around nonstop the instant they’d left the hospital.
A last-minute getaway took care of the newspaper reporters and allowed Kate to wrap up her work without distraction. How she loved a man that got her like that, a man who not only loved her but also understood that her job was simply part of her. In her mind, there was no calling in sick when real lives were on the line.
Her job made her feel alive more than anything in the world. She was making a difference. A tiny one, sure, but a difference nonetheless. The case had yet to go through the courts, but the district attorney was confident in the evidence the detectives had collected. Anderson was recovering from his wound and would live to face justice for his acts. She was happy about that.
And she was ecstatic about the press no longer having an interest in her.
Other than a few chauffeurs holding names on placards, the airport was mostly families and friends waiting for their loved ones. A young blonde positioned herself just in front of Kate with a large gift-wrapped box in her hands. No doubt a gift for whomever she was picking up at the airport. As Kate reveled in the satisfaction of knowing that Candidate Anderson wouldn’t be targeting women such as that girl any longer, she allowed herself to feel the buzzing energy of the crowd around her, letting it energize her. Normally, her training left her tense and prepared for the worst in crowds. Anywhere. That just came with the job. But right now, surrounded with the excited gossip of strangers chitchatting, making nervous conversation while waiting for their loved ones to appear, she decided to pretend the world was safe, for just a few minutes.
And how dearly did she want to see her loved ones right now.
It had been ten days already since they’d left to go on an all-inclusive holiday to the Riviera Maya.
Her phone rang, bringing her back to the present. The number indicated it was out-of-state. California.
“Detective Murphy,” she answered.
“Detective, I’m Officer Juarez from the L.A. police. We found Penelope Carson. Goes under the name of Pixie Browne now. I just wanted to let you know. Tracked down the phone she used to make the call. It was a diner. The waitress identified her once we showed her a photo.”
“Are you going to charge her with fraud?” Kate asked, knowing fair well that she had staged her own death but that in itself wasn’t a crime. The steps she’d taken next, to restart her life, had been.
“They falsified documents, so we’ll have to.”
“Who’s they?”
“She and her boyfriend. They schemed together and fled from Massachusetts together, leaving all of their friends and relatives behind. I guess they really wanted out. It’s a hell of a lot of work to fake your own death.”
“Having met her brother, I could understand why. But please be lenient with the prosecution. She was crucial in solving a major case here.”
“Will do.”
“Great work, and thanks for taking the time to call and keep me posted.”
Kate hung up, smiling as she watched a stream of suntanned passenger come out of the automated doors.
When she saw the man she loved wheeling two suitcases behind him, smiling at his mother who was digging something out from her purse, Kate’s chest filled with warmth, as though the sun had just risen and now shone its happy rays on her, pushing away the worries of the world.
They were back. She had her team—her de facto family—by her side again.
Luke looked up, perhaps feeling Kate’s intense stare. He beamed. Tiny wrinkles adorned the corners of his eyes behind his glasses. He sped up his pace as he approached her. Letting go of the bag handles, he wrapped his arms around Kate and breathed in her scent.
“How I’ve missed you, Katie,” he whispered. “Next time, you’re coming with me. Just you and me. A real vacation under the sun.” He pulled away just enough to kiss her. Their lips merged into a passionate kiss that transcended words. Kate felt whole again in Luko’s arms.
“What about me? Don’t I get my welcome-back hug?” Mrs. O’Brien asked.
Chapter Seventy-Eight
Tuesday, July 17th, 2018
Luke awoke, fearing for his life, darting up to a sitting position in bed.
“You okay, babe?” Kate mumbled next to him.
“Yeah. Go back to sleep.”
The tables had turned. Since the day he’d got the big bump on his head—although he didn’t recall much of it—he’d started having nightmares. At first, he kept reliving the discovery of his mom, passed out on the couch. But lately, his mom’s role had somehow been recast, through whatever subconscious trick his mind liked to play. The same scenario unfolded in his head, but Kate was the one on the couch, passed out.
Or perhaps dead.
He always woke up before he could check her pulse.
If the past few weeks had taught him anything, it was that life was too short. Too short for playing around. Too short for not daring to go for what he wanted. Too short for not doing his best at being truly happy.
“Kate? Are you awake?”
She mumbled, then opened her eyes and rubbed her face. “What’s wrong?”
“Just nightmares.”
She rubbed her arm against his back. “You know that hypnotherapist?”
“Yeah…”
“I think it helped. I don’t have as many nightmares these days. Maybe it can help you, too.”
“Maybe. But there’s something else that can help. And a lot more.”
Her eyelids kept drooping, sleep trying to take over once more. But he needed her to stay awake and have this conversation now.
Luke pulled the cord on his nightstand lamp.
“Whoa! What’s that for? What did I ever do to you?” she asked.
He turned to look at her. She was blinking, her elbow raised, her hand up to block some of the light.
But he knew—well, he hoped—she’d soon forgive him for his impulsivity and rude awakening. Opening the drawer of his nightstand, he retrieved the tiny box he’d purchased two weeks ago. He did his best to hide it in his large hand.
He hopped over her, placing his knees on the outside of her stretched out legs before pecking a kiss on her lips. He leaned back and grinned at her.
“What’s going on?” Kate asked. Confusion spread over her face as her eyes went from the alarm clock to Luke’s expression.
“Kate, you are a hell of an amazing woman. I can’t believe how lucky I am to be part of your life. I don’t know how I’d live without you. You left my life once when we were teenagers, and I’m still amazed that our paths somehow crossed again. I love you so much. Much more than you’ll ever know.”
Kate brought a hand over her heart, her face twisting into that weird sad-happy expression he knew too well. “I love you too, Luko—”
“Wait, there’s more.”
Luke’s heart bounced in his chest, its beat increasing by the second. He brought forward the closed fist that held the precious box worth five months of his wages, and flipped it open. “Kate Murphy…” His glance left the ring to meet her wide-open green eyes. Sleep had fully dissipated now. Her mouth was agape.
Luke hoped her surprised look was a good indication. “Will you make me the happiest man on earth and marry me?”
She inhaled a ragged breath then wrapped her arms around him.
“Hell, yes!”
Chapter Seventy-Nine
While Luk
e poured a hefty serving of wine in everyone’s glasses, Mrs. O’Brien placed the meatloaf on the table then sat down and grabbed Kate’s hand—presumably to get ready with the pre-meal prayer—but Kate was taken aback when Mrs. O’Brien lifted her hand close to her face.
“It’s truly a gorgeous ring. I can’t believe my Luke is going to make an honest woman out of you, finally!”
“Mom! Quit it with your outdated expressions. People don’t have to get married to be honest or respectable these days!”
“Say whatever you want. I’m excited! You two committing to tying the knot is the best gift I could have ever asked for.”
“Better than accompanying you to those fundraisers?”
“Much, much better.”
“Should have done it sooner, then,” he said.
“Luke!”
“You know I’m just kidding, Mom.”
“Enough of this. Let’s bless this meal,” Mrs. O’Brien began but Kate’s phone rang in the distance.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. O’Brien.” Kate got up and left the table.
“Kate!”
“I’m sorry, Marjorie.” Kate stepped out of the room and overheard Luke as she dug into her purse.
“Let it go, Mom. Those mealtime calls come with the job. You won’t change her.”
Kate smiled. She appreciated having a partner—a fiancé—as supportive as Luke, but her grin disappeared when she recognized the area code.
“Hello?”
“Detective Murphy, it’s Sheriff Ramsay. I won’t take much of your time, but we’ve identified the man from the letters.”
His unexpected words made her blood flow faster through her veins. Her breathing sped up. “And?”
“The DNA from the glue matched a man in one of our databases, but we haven’t been able to locate him. As far as the records are concerned, he seems to have disappeared off the grid. No one has seen or heard from him in decades.”
“Oh.” Kate felt her shoulders slump, along with her hopes.
“But there’s also no obituary to be found.”
“What are you saying?” Kate asked.
“You gave us a new lead. It’s no longer a cold case, but we don’t know if we’ll ever find out anything about this man. Congratulations on that serial killer, by the way.”
“Thanks. What’s the man’s name, if I may?”
“Ethan Thibodeau.”
“Thanks, Sheriff. I really appreciate you taking the time to call and let me know,” Kate said before hanging up.
She stared mindlessly at her phone while letting the new-found knowledge sink in. A name. She now had a name. That was something, right? Worth all the sleepless nights and worries?
Debatable. But a name was progress. And progress was always good. The sheriff and his team would eventually find him. Or she could work on it in her spare time…
“Are you joining us now?” Luke called out.
“Yes, I’m coming.” She put her phone away then returned to the kitchen, her eyes spotting the dent in the wall where her bullet had stopped its trajectory. The subtle mark had become her daily reminder to spend time with those she loved.
She took her seat and grabbed the hands of Luke and his mom. Her family.
“Please, let me?” Kate asked as Mrs. O’Brien was about to speak.
A line split her brows as she looked at her son, then she turned to face Kate and shrugged. “If you wish.”
“Thank you for allowing me to share my life with Luke and Marjorie.” Mrs. O’Brien squeezed Kate’s hand at the mention of her first name. “Thank you for keeping them safe on that terrible day. Thank you to all my colleagues who helped us catch him in time—”
“Katie,” Mrs. O’Brien muttered. “You’re supposed to bless the food—”
Mrs. O’Brien yelped in pain.
Kate looked at Luke. “You kicked your mom?”
“Go on,” Luke said, his eyes wide, his face stern even though he was turning crimson.
“Thank you to … Marjorie for preparing a delicious meal for us. She always cooks with love and I’m very grateful to have her in my life. I’m very grateful to have Luke be so patient and understanding with me. I love you,” she said, squeezing his hand. “Thank you to all those farmers who grew the ingredients we needed. Thank you for everything you do to feed us. May this delicious meal and the conversations we’ll share replenish us, both body and mind. Thank you, Universe.”
“Amen.”
Curious about Kate’s past before she became a detective and started dating Luke? Read The Last Hope, a technothriller.
The Last Hope (Prequel novel)
Officer Kate Murphy’s uncle is like a father to her. When he's arrested for murder, she's his only hope.
After a few off-the-record conversations with Luke, an awkwardly attractive forensic technician, Kate knows something doesn’t add up. And when a host of politicians and homeless people begin to die all over the Northeast, Kate suspects they’re somehow connected to her uncle’s case.
To prove the innocence of the man who took her in after her parents were murdered, Kate must make an incredible leap of faith. But she's not prepared for the stunning discovery that calls everything into question.
Read the first chapter
Buy The Last Hope
Can’t get enough of Kate Murphy? The Last Lies takes place before The Last Hope, and it explains some of her darker hours as a beat cop.
The Last Lies (Prequel novella that precedes The Last Hope)
A woman in a man’s world. An enemy she never saw coming.
Police officer Kate Murphy thought she’d left her tumultuous past behind when she married Matt, but nothing could be further from the truth.
As problems and deceptions pile up both at home and at work, a disturbingly high number of animal deaths begin to spread in and around Boston. Kate will have to unravel a web of lies and connect the dots to solve the case and regain control over her life.
If you like dramatic police procedurals with characters who grow and become stronger as the story progresses, then you’ll love this fast-paced yet emotional mystery.
Buy The Last Lies
Excerpt from The Last Hope
Kate Murphy
Secret Hiking Spot, Maine
Warm, salty air kissed Kate Murphy’s freckled skin as she sat, perched in surroundings that embodied her emotions.
Early summer rays bombarded the ocean, forming tiny diamonds that sparkled in the distance. Mere minutes later, the same peaceful, glistening water would morph into powerful waves that crashed onto the jagged rocks one hundred feet below Kate’s dangling legs, pulverizing any debris that may have been floating along for the ride. She sipped her bottle of water while soaking in her favorite scenery. The soft chirps and warbles of a few birds accompanied her thoughts.
Life was pretty good these days, even though Kate’s latest attempt at becoming a detective had been rejected yet again, but at least now she was part of a different district. It meant fresh opportunities and new people. Maybe her next application would be approved.
Kate stood up, finished her drink, and then returned the empty stainless-steel bottle to her backpack. It clunked against her phone, which she dug out: it was 1:03 p.m. Five missed calls and one voicemail.
Weird.
The message must have come in during the past hour when she came into range. All she ever got around here was one bar, and it only appeared if the winds were blowing in the right direction (with no clouds on the horizon) and lucky leprechauns sprinkled their magical signal-boosting powder around her.
Crappy coverage.
She should change cell providers. Then again, there was something to be said for enjoying quiet time and being unreachable, especially when she was here.
She tapped her way to the voicemail screen. Unknown number. She pressed “play” and listened to it over speakerphone.
“Miss Murphy, I’m calling on behalf of Kenneth Murphy. My name’s George Hudson, and I’m th
e defense attorney who’s been assigned to your uncle’s case. He’s been arrested. He wanted me to let you know he’s currently being held at the Roxbury Precinct, accused of murder. Your uncle says he’s innocent, and I’ll do my best to prove that he is. Sorry for leaving this important message on voicemail. I would have preferred doing it in person, but your uncle said I might have a hard time reaching you, and I didn’t want to wait too long. I’ll give you a call later this week with more details.”
What?
Kate jumped to her feet, staring at her now-silent phone. Had she heard that right?
She listened to the message again, this time with the phone pressed against her ear.
She had to head back if she wanted to get enough cell coverage to do anything. Kate stuck her phone back in her bag, strapped it on tightly, and then ran the three miles she’d just hiked, back to her car.
When she reached her Subaru, it was already 1:45 p.m. She was starting to regret her decision to drive out-of-state on her day off. She was 170 miles away from the Roxbury station.
Kate drove fast on the winding, scenic roads, ignoring the breathtaking views she would usually savor. She far exceeded the speed limit, mastering the unpaved bends like a professional race car driver. The skills she’d honed during police training certainly made driving her Impreza even more fun than before, but this time her mind was on autopilot.
Why was Uncle Kenny accused of murder? He was the last of her living relatives, the only human being she felt connected to and loved by. He couldn’t have killed anyone.
After fifteen years of psychotherapy, Kate was mostly over the gory memories of finding her own mother, father, and little brother murdered in their family home, throats slit, her mother half-naked and raped, and blood dripping down the kitchen walls.
The Last Amen Page 26
