BEFORE SHE WAS released from the hospital in San Luis Obispo, Abby learned that Chaz Considine had turned himself in to police and confessed to the murder of Ciara Adessi. In a gesture to Ciara’s mother, he returned the jewelry he’d taken from Ciara and kept all these years.

Abby cried with Ciara’s mother when she gave a brief statement to the press saying that she couldn’t forgive Chaz, not yet anyway, but she was thankful to have that small piece of her daughter back.

Chaz’s mother was still insisting that he was innocent, but according to the paper, he declined her offer for defense. His codefendant J. P. Winnen had almost died a couple of times, but he only ended up losing a kidney. Charges against him were pending.

Abby got an unexpected visitor after the news broke. Jasper Harkin lumbered into her room on his cane, holding a small vase of roses that he placed on her nightstand.

“I can’t thank you enough, Detective Hart.” He nodded toward Luke. “Investigator Murphy. You were the only ones who believed in me.”

“It’s our job to find the truth, Jasper,” Abby said. “I’m very gratified that everything came out in the open in this case.”

“You gave me my life back. The world looks so different to me today. I hope you’re not hurt too bad.”

“They tell me that they were able to repair all the damage the knife did.” She moved all of her fingers on her left hand, the injured side. “Nothing permanent. I should be fine in a few weeks.”

“Glad to hear it.” He reached out his pudgy arm and shook her right hand, then shook Luke’s. “Get well soon. God bless you both.” He wiped a tear from his eye and lumbered from the room.

God has blessed me, Abby thought as she looked at Luke’s handsome face. Beyond my wildest dreams, God has blessed me.