THIRTY-FOUR

With my scant remaining strength, I lifted my head and shoulders from the gurney, and managed to knock the needle from Gravely’s hand with my chin.

“Police!” a voice shouted.

In the next second Detectives Cassidy and Burgundy stormed into the room. Zack, Mitch, and Quinn followed.

“Hands up!” Cassidy ordered. “Both of you. You’re under arrest.”

Detective Burgundy grabbed scissors and cut my bonds, pulled me to my feet. He and Zack helped me into a lab jacket Burgundy jerked from the supply closet.

Zack held me close, and I managed to speak. “They’re murderers,” I said. “Gravely confessed to killing Francine and Wizard.”

Cassidy read both men the Miranda warning. They said nothing. Tisdale made a break for the door, but Mitch tackled him, bringing him to the floor. Gravely and Tisdale rode to police headquarters in the detectives’ car. Mitch drove Quinn in my car, which Mitch had claimed at the photo shop when he rushed there searching for me.

Zack and I stopped at the cottage long enough for me to get dressed again and give him a heartfelt kiss before we rode to police headquarters in his convertible.

“Thank you. Thank you, Zack. I’ll always be in your debt.”

“No debt accrued.” Zack squeezed my hand. “Your sharp thinking saved you—connecting Wizard’s scarf and Gravely’s wall hanging, your taking those snapshots.”

“How did you know where they were holding me?”

“After Quinn vouched for Mitch, the police released him. When you hadn’t shown up, Quinn, Mitch, and I drove to Glockner’s Photo and Phrame to check on you.”

“But how did you know to come to Gravely’s clinic?”

“Thank Free Glockner for that. When he checked to see what those noisy kids were doing in the parking lot, he saw Gravely urging you into his car. He knew you’d never willingly abandon the chocolate malt you’d set on your car hood. He called nine-one-one.”

“So you made a lucky guess and drove to the clinic?”

“A lucky guess—maybe. But your negative feelings about Gravely influenced me—your intuition…I hate to admit I’ve been so wrong about him.”

By the time we reached the police station, officers had put Gravely and Tisdale in holding cells. The detectives listened to each of us as we told our stories and signed statements. Then they released us.

In the parking lot, I drew Quinn aside. “When you write Wizard’s grim story, Quinn, it’ll help alert the public and law authorities to a dark side of the organ donor program. Mom and I were naïve, seeing only the bright side.”

“I’ll do my best. That’s a promise.”

I gave Quinn a hug. “You do that, and Wizard won’t have died in vain. Guys like Gravely and Tisdale—” I almost choked on their names. “They’re sociopaths—scum. Your article can help put readers on guard.”

Quinn nodded and smiled and when I left her, I knew we were friends again.

Zack and I started to drive Mitch to the Bridle Path, but he stopped us.

“Drop me off at my apartment, okay? I’ve had it with sleeping under the stars.”

“Any special future plans?” Zack asked.

“I’ve been reading online at the library about the Homeless Management Information System. Lots of information on their website. I’ve applied for a job.”

“Where?” I asked.

“At the Neighborhood Improvement Association. Their office’s on Emma Street. While I’m waiting to hear about a permanent job, I’ll go to work there as a volunteer.” He lowered his head. “That’s the least I can do for Wizard.”

I understood his grief. I didn’t say a word. If I sounded too approving of his plans, he might change his mind.

“Good thinking, Mitch,” Zack said, stopping at Mitch’s apartment. “Go for it.”

“See you later, guys. Thanks for the lift.”

“Where are we going?” I asked as Zack headed toward the highway.

“It’s a surprise. Something I want to show you—if you feel up to it.”

“Strange, but I feel great. Guess the adrenaline’s still pumping. But I’m warning you. After a day like today, it’s going to be hard to surprise me.”

Zack drove to Stock Island. We passed marinas and mobile home courts, slowed for kids skateboarding in the street, then stopped beside the dock at Shipton Boatyard & Salvage. Zack led the way to a small sailboat bobbing on the water. Gulls perched on the stern, screamed outrage as Zack shooed them away.

“This is my work-in-progress and today, although I still have some finishing details to complete, we’ll take it on its maiden voyage. I’ve bought a bottle of champagne for the christening.” Zack stepped aboard, pulled a bottle from a storage compartment, then joined me on the dock again.

I gasped, surprised. I’d only seen this sort of thing in movies, but I took the bottle he offered and faced the bow of the sailboat.

“Here’s to calm seas and gentle breezes.” Using strength I didn’t know I had, I slammed the bottle against the steel tip of the bow, laughing as champagne splashed onto my legs and shattered glass dropped into the sea.

“Now we’ll go for a sail.” Zack helped me aboard the boat. “It’s getting dark, but there’ll be a moon.”

We rigged the green sails, and after we motored from the dock and under the Boca Chica Bridge, Zack cut the engine and we sailed in peaceful silence while we watched the moon rise like a golden globe. I enjoyed the gentle roll of the boat, and we skimmed across the water until Zack anchored near a tiny islet. He carried a blanket and we splashed to shore, reaching dry sand where we spread the blanket.

There were things I wanted to say to Zack about all that had happened to me this day, but he stopped my words with long slow kisses until our bodies joined in a feverish embrace, and we released our pent-up emotions.

“Bailey, you must know by now that I love you.”

I stopped his flow of words with another kiss. Was I really ready for love? Love called for a commitment. What about my career?

“Bailey, do you love me?”

I hesitated only a moment before I answered. “Yes, Zack. I love you with all my heart.”

“We can blend our careers and create a wonderful life together, Bailey, if you’ll be my wife. Will you marry me? Will you spend the rest of your life with me?”

I pulled Zack close. “I live in possibility.”