Monday Afternoon—Six Days Later
Lucy and Jerry wrapped up the Teri James investigation that week. The ME determined she’d killed herself with strychnine, which she ingested with the small lunch she ate with her lawyer. The evidence Ash collected would have been enough to go to trial, but it ultimately would have been up to a diligent prosecutor to convince the jury that she was guilty. Without a murder weapon, it would have been an uphill battle—but the circumstantial evidence was voluminous.
Together, they notified Marissa Garcia and her family and answered all their questions. Jerry informed Susan Standish, and Lucy talked to Garrett King—and gave him some unsolicited advice on how to get his life back together. Whether he listened or not, she didn’t know. But she tried.
They also talked to Abby every day, notified Trevor James about the situation, and hoped that Abby would find some peace. She seemed to take the information well—she was shocked, angry, but mostly sad. She stayed with her friend Becky while her great-aunt made arrangements for her to move back to California.
On Monday, Trevor James called Lucy and said that he was in town. She took him to Becky’s house and the smile on Abby’s face when she saw her uncle was genuine. It was the first real smile Lucy had seen from the teen since she’d met her.
“You came!” Abby said, hugging her uncle tightly.
“Of course I did. I’m on leave, for as long as you need me.”
“Forever?”
“Not forever. But a long time.”
She hugged him again.
“Thank you for finding out what happened to my brother,” Trevor said to Lucy.
“It was truly a multi-jurisdictional investigation. I’m sorry that she’s not in prison. We would have gotten a conviction.” She hoped. It would have been a tough case to prosecute, but Lucy knew they had the right suspect. “I wish she’d confessed before she died.”
“I’m glad she’s gone,” Trevor said. “I know that sounds callous, but she deserved it.”
Maybe she did, Lucy thought. Justice had been served … but not in the way Lucy wanted.
“I have news,” Trevor said. “Abby, I talked to your aunt Abigail last night when my flight landed in San Diego. She agreed with me—though it’s ultimately your decision.”
“What?” Abby looked worried.
“I’ve applied for a commission that will keep me in the states—in San Diego. I’d like you to live with me. I know Steven would have wanted this—more important, I want it. You’re my only family, kid, and nothing would make me happier than to have you with me.”
Tears spilled out of Abby’s eyes, and she hugged him yet again. “Yes, yes! Thank you!”
“No thanks necessary. Really—this is what family is for. I love you, Abs.”
Lucy said, “I’ll let you guys pack up and make plans.”
Abby turned to Lucy and hugged her, too. “Thank you for everything, Lucy,” she said.
“It’s my job.”
“I think it’s more than a job for you, like the Navy is for Uncle Trevor.”
“Yeah, I guess it is. Let me know how you’re settling in—San Diego is a terrific place to live, and I’ll bet you’ll be living near Point Loma.”
“In Point Loma. I’ve been promoted to lieutenant and should be able to score a good place. And I have a family, which helps.” He winked at Abby.
“If you need anything while you’re here, call me,” Lucy said.
She drove the short distance home. She planned on calling in sick tomorrow. She’d had the weekend off, but she still felt drained and oddly emotional.
“You’re early,” Sean said when she walked into the house before five that afternoon.
“I’m taking sick time.”
“You’re sick?” he asked, concerned.
“Just tired. One day. You’re not going to rat me out, are you?”
“We’ll play hooky. It’ll be fun.” He grinned and kissed her. “We’ll watch old movies and make love in the middle of the afternoon and eat ice cream out of the carton.”
“As long as it’s chocolate.”
“Triple chocolate.”
“Sold.”
She sank into the comfy chair in the sun room and Sean joined her. “Jesse has soccer practice? You told him light workout only, right?”
“Yep, and he’s being good. I don’t have to get him for an hour. What’s wrong? You look sad. I thought everything worked out.”
“With Trevor and Abby. He’s taking her to San Diego to live, and she seems to be really happy about it. I hate that she lost her dad, though. That poor kid has been through hell.”
“She has family who loves her. She’ll bounce back.” Sean rubbed her chin. “Talk to me.”
“I talked to Tia Mancini this morning.”
“Oh. Princess, I’m sorry.”
“How do you know it’s bad news?”
“Because I know you. I can see it in your eyes.”
“Well, it’s mixed. Chris Smith is in Florida. Marissa refuses to press charges. Tia worked with her, talked to her friend Maryanne in housekeeping, believes she could build a case … but can’t guarantee that Marissa would win.”
“Of course she couldn’t. A case like this is unpredictable. Marissa still has time to change her mind.”
“Yeah, still—I want Smith in prison. But he left, and will be in Florida for at least two years. And I get it. I want him punished, but Marissa doesn’t want to risk her family. I guess I don’t blame her.”
“Why would you?”
“Because rapists don’t spontaneously stop. Except … Tia confirmed that Smith is an alcoholic. He used to get so drunk that he got in fights, blacked out … and after she interviewed Marissa she learned that Smith was intoxicated at the time.”
Sean tensed. “That’s no excuse.”
“No, it’s not. Yet since then he appears to have maintained his sobriety. His grandfather sent him to Arizona initially to go through a rehab program. Then kept him there to open the hotel. Maybe … maybe he won’t hurt anyone else again.”
“Do you believe that?”
“No. But I can’t tell Marissa to risk her son on the slim chance that she can take down a wealthy heir. Her family is far too important to her. But if he returns to San Antonio, I will watch him closely. I may also have given a colleague in Tampa Bay a heads-up about him. People will be watching him. One slip—one mistake—and we’ll be on him.”
It wasn’t a perfect system. But it was the best they had, and Lucy was determined to make it work for the most people.
Sean kissed her. “I love you, Lucy Rogan.”
“I love you, Sean Rogan.”
He picked her up and carried her upstairs to their bedroom. “There is nothing I want to do more right now that make love to you.”
Lucy melted into the bed, under Sean’s affection and love. She closed her eyes and allowed the pain and frustration to fall away as her husband made love to her.
This was exactly where she needed to be.