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.