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The three police officers walked silently to Sid’s vehicle as the last sliver of sunlight sunk behind the clouds. Tom took the backseat and laid his head against the cushion. The long day had been filled with meetings, capping a week’s worth of conference calls, brainstorming, and interviews to prepare two cases for two prosecutors—one in Arkansas and one in Missouri.
Dan Palmer said, “Good job, both of you. The bribery case is solid.”
“Let’s hope the prosecutor agrees,” Sid said.
“He seemed a little unsure of Frankie’s statement,” Tom commented.
“Don’t forget Paul Andrews’ testimony against Randy Brighton. His plea deal was a significant turning point. And we have the additional circumstantial evidence.”
Tom asked, “Will there be a problem trying Brighton in Missouri before releasing him to Arkansas for the murder case?”
“That will be up to the prosecutor to figure out, but probably not an issue.”
Tom knew the Arkansas case against Randy depended on the testimony of the thug he hired to kill Fortner. Fortunately, Sid chose a picture of Larry Allen surrounded by his coworkers, grandfather, and uncle to include in the photo lineup. And, if Randy is found guilty of the bribery charge in Missouri, it will go a long way to balance the scales of justice in Arkansas.
The men rode the remainder of the trip between Forsyth and Branson in silence. Sid pulled up to the police entrance and stopped.
“You’re not going in?” Tom asked.
“Already dangerously close to being late for my date with Shirley. Unless you need me for something tonight,” he added glancing at the lieutenant.
“Nothing more we can do this evening. Have a good time tonight,” Palmer said. “I’m going to take my own advice and I suggest you do the same,” he added in Tom’s direction.
“I want to finish up a couple things. See you Monday.”
***
TOM HADN’T CALLED KATE all week. At first, he was angry she disregarded his request to stay out of the skeleton case. Her meddling diminished hope of determining for sure what happened that night with Lex Porter, let alone proving who killed him. As the week dragged on, he focused on preparing for the Fortner-related charges, which seemed more straightforward and which were undamaged by Kate’s curiosity.
Ultimately, missing her softened Tom’s anger. He reached for the phone, but paused, tapped the receiver, and withdrew his hand. He wasn’t quite sure what to say to that little red-haired girl inside that beautiful annoying woman. He gripped the receiver but left it in place.
“So, are you going to call me or not?” Kate asked.
Tom smiled, hoping he wasn’t imagining her voice, and slowly turned toward the door.
“To call or not to call? Tough dilemma,” she said.
“I’m leaning toward to call.”
He came out of his chair and welcomed her into his arms. Pressing his cheek against hers, he embraced the soft lilac scent of her hair. “How did you know I’d be here?”
“You weren’t everywhere else,” she said with a grin.
***
TOM OPENED HIS EYES. A trail of discarded clothing led from the living room to the bedroom. It wasn’t a dream. He rolled over and studied Kate’s face and the slight raising and lowering of her chest with each resting breath. As he drifted back to sleep, he marveled at his fortune in recapturing this perfect love.
“Breakfast is ready,” Kate whispered in his ear.
“Did you order in?”
“Very funny. Come to the table and feast your eyes on my creations.”
Tom got dressed and met Kate in the dining area.
“This looks great,” Tom said, helping himself to eggs and sausage.
Kate asked, “Did you hear Ward I needs a new alderman?”
“Allen resigned?”
“Friday morning. Personal reasons according to his resignation letter.”
“Hmm, I’d say that fits.”
“How’s the bribery case going?”
“You’re not going for the Porter suit?”
“I’m trying to make conversation, not pump you for information!” She gathered the empty plates and silverware and took them to the sink.
“Sit down. I’ll tell you what I can,” he said with a smile.
She pulled her knees close to her chest. “I’m ready. And I won’t print a word.”
“We’ll be able to take care of the bribery case in Missouri before Randy is extradited to Arkansas to face murder charges. We’ve received more tips and Leatherman is helping with the investigation.”
“What about Lex’s murder?”
“That’s another issue.”
“I tainted the evidence,” she said, a sincere apology in her eyes.
“Nevertheless, Jack Brighton has confessed. Hawthorne says his client is ready to turn himself in. Jack claims he and Lex were alone, they argued, and Jack lost his temper.”
“I suppose it could have happened that way, but it’s not what Etta told me.”
“More to the point, it doesn’t jive with the forensic evidence. Frankly, Etta’s story makes more sense. But with all the confusion and the time that has passed who knows?”
“Jack’s trying to protect his son and Etta,” Kate said.
“No doubt. But we continue to work the case. You will probably be happy to hear that Bryan Porter has hired a hotshot lawyer from Springfield to handle the inheritance issue. Thanks to you, he has a fighting chance with the partnership agreement.”
“That’s good, I suppose,” she said. “You know, I’ve been thinking it may have been Randy who hired those boys to break into Etta’s to find that document.”
Tom said, “Didn’t I mention? We nabbed the two young men who trashed her house. Randy did hire them, but that may not be enough.”
Kate shrugged and furrowed her brow.
Tom said, “Hey, at least you can be happy about Allen’s resignation.”
“To some extent, but he was cleared of bribery. He’ll probably end up running his grandfather’s company. And he, Wainright, and Henderson are free to go ahead with the mysterious lakefront project, which Allen still disavows by the way.”
“I wouldn’t be too sure. Your article put folks on notice. They’re going to think twice about selling land to those guys. Besides, as you suggested in the piece, I wouldn’t be surprised if Branson has plans of its own regarding the lakefront.”
“Nevertheless, I’m keeping my eye on the former councilman,” she said with determination. “So, you actually read my article?”
“Of course, I did. Best-friends-forever, remember?”
***