Random Acts of Murder: A Holly Anna Paladin Mystery, Book 1 (Holly Anna Paladin Mysteries) (27 page)
Authors: Christy Barritt
CHAPTER
45
I woke up in the hospital. Was this the end? Now that doctors were doing all
these tests on me, would they discover that the cancer had spread? Wasn’t that the real reason I’d avoided the doctor’s appointments? I didn’t want to face reality.
Chase was beside me, leaning over my bed with worry in his eyes. “
Holly, you’re awake.”
“What are you doing in here?”
He shrugged. “They let me stay, but only in an official police capacity. I have to take your statement, and such. Plus, I had ulterior motives. Everyone’s anxiously waiting outside for you, though.”
I couldn’t help but smile.
Chase wiped my hair back from my face, his eyes tender and soft. “Are you okay? You gave me a good scare.”
“I don’t know. Am I okay?”
“The doctor said your shoulder should heal fine. The bullet just skimmed it, but you lost quite a bit of blood.”
I nodded. “That’s good news.”
“In other news, you’re never allowed to do that again. You scared me to death.”
I squeezed his hand. “How’d you get there so quickly?”
“You’re not the only one good at reading people. I got suspicious when you slipped away. I figured you might want to be a martyr. I stepped outside just as you pulled out of the driveway. I lost you . . . initially. But then I got your text. Luckily, I wasn’t that far away.”
“It’s a good thing you were around.”
“And it’s a good thing for the city that you were around.”
My smile slipped. “What happened to Rex?”
“He’s in jail. There was more than enough evidence to nail him. Orion finally confessed that Rex pulled him over for driving under the influence. It was his third offense. He would have gone to jail. Rex said he would let him off the hook if Orion would do him a favor. He had no idea that Rex was Caligula.”
“Did he really shoot all of those people?”
Chase sighed, long and hard. “He had people helping him. He seemed to be the master of holding leverage over people, including your friend Little T. Little T—also known as Arthur McGinnis—owned up to everything.”
Another life wasted, I realized. I hated to see it.
“And T.J.? Is he okay?”
“He was wearing a bulletproof vest. He’s going to be just fine.” Chase pulled back. “You have a lot of family members who’d really love to see you. You up for it?”
I nodded. “Send them in.”
My family and Jamie flooded into the room. I answered all of their initial questions and insisted I was okay and defended what I’d done. My mom stood at my bedside, tears in her eyes. I knew we needed to talk later.
Ralph turned to Chase. “How about you? Are you still on the squad?”
Chase nodded. “
I am. The chief actually looked pretty impressed, probably because his wife’s favorite employee was involved.”
“Former employee. I
quit. Besides, you’re still on the squad because they see what a good detective you are. Without you, they would have never nailed Caligula. Or, Rex, I should say.”
Alex shook her head, pushing her glasses higher. “What are you doing for a job now?”
I shook my head. “I have no idea, but I’m sure something will come up.”
“You can always come work for me. I think Rex is officially disqualified for this senate race,” Ralphie offered.
“I’ll keep that in mind. Now, don’t you need to get back to your election headquarters? It is election day.”
He
glanced at his watch. “I still have some time.”
“What happened with Brian?” I asked.
“Besides the fact that I fired him?” Ralph said. “He claimed he found out about your . . . condition because he stopped by the hospital to visit you and overheard a conversation between you and your doctor.”
“And I found out why he was visiting Desiree,” Jamie added. “
He claims he was campaigning in the neighborhood.”
“And John?”
Jamie grinned, practically beaming. “He came back home last night when he heard that Rex had been arrested. He was lying low, trying not to be discovered. I should apologize because he stole the key to your place, the one you gave me when your family went on vacation last year and I watered your plants.”
“That’s great news.
I’m glad John is okay.”
Silence fell for a minute.
Finally, my mom shook her head. “You should have told us.”
Regret pressed on me.
“I know. And I’m sorry. I just didn’t want to ruin anyone’s big moment. The election. The wedding.”
“You’re always thinking of other people. That’s what we love about you, Holly. But sometimes, people have to think of you, too,” Alex said.
Chase squeezed my shoulder.
I nodded. “I know. I’m going to do just that. I promise.”
If there was one thing I’d learned as I’d faced an even more imminent death, it was that I wasn’t ready to leave my loved ones yet.
***
Everyone dealt with loss in different ways, I realized. I dealt with the potential of losing my life by living in denial and doing crazy things I would otherwise never do.
Ralph dealt with losing Melinda by pouring himself into his work.
Chase had dealt with losing his brother by drinking.
Rex had dealt with the loss of his brother by carrying on his legacy.
It was time that I found a better way to deal with my circumstances, though.
Chase stopped me before we walked into the doctor’s office.
“The election’s over,” he reminded me.
“I realize that.” I smiled.
“You know what that means, right?”
“That Ralph is now our state senator?”
I teased.
“I think there’s something else on your bucket list you’re going to be able to cross off. Let’s go to the
justice of the peace. Today.”
“You would really do that?”
He nodded. “With you? I’d do anything. Even almost lose my career.”
I ran my hand down the edge of his jaw, soaking in every inch of his face. I pushed away the doubts that wanted to emerge. Getting married after less than seven days in a whirlwind romance? It was crazy. But I didn’t have time
to do the typical date-a-year/be-engaged-for-six-months thing.
I had to stop overthinking things. The
stress caused by my experience with Rex had probably diminished the time I had left on earth even more. “Yes, let’s do it.”
He grinned and covered
my lips with his. “Now, let’s go see what the doctor has to say.”
I was taken back for my appoint
ment almost as soon as I walked inside. I introduced Chase to William as we sat across from him, the desk between us.
“I wish
you’d come to me earlier, Holly,” William started.
“It wouldn’t have made a difference,” I told him.
“It would have. Holly, you don’t have cancer,” William said.
I blinked, certain I hadn’t heard him correctly.
“How can you say that? My doctor said—”
“I don’t care
what he said. You were misdiagnosed. I mean, I still have more tests to run. But your doctor based very affirmative results on very subjective tests.”
“How could that happen? There were multiple tests run.”
“There have been instances of people who’ve been diagnosed with this disease undergoing chemo and actually dying from treatments, only in the end to find out they didn’t have this disease. Sometimes, doctors want to make a name for themselves by being on the threshold of treating a new disease. I happen to know of two other people who’ve been diagnosed with this disease. They have your same doctor.”
My mouth dropped open. “So I’m healthy? Why am I so tired
, then? What about my skin?”
“I think you have
panniculitis. That’s the inflammation of the subcutaneous adipose.”
I stared at him. “What?”
“I’ll get to the bottom line. It’s curable. Very curable.”
My mouth gaped open. “Are you serious?”
“I wouldn’t joke about something like this, Holly.” There was no hint of amusement in his gaze.
I gasped and looked at Chase. He threw his arms around me. “That’s great news.”
I nodded. “It is.”
“Like I said, I still want to do more tests. But Holly, your doctor had it wrong.
I’m certain of that.”
And now
, I was out of a job, I’d given away most of my savings, and I’d almost been arrested.
I closed my eyes as I realized the implications.
Chase seemed to read my thoughts and squeezed my hand.
“Talk to my nurse. We’ll line up the rest of the tests. I know a specialist you can see.”
I smiled. “Thanks, William.”
“Anything for my future sister-in-law.”
Chase and I were silent as we walked from the doctor’s office. It seemed like we should be rejoicing, but instead both of us seemed to be in shock.
“Chase—”
“Holly—”
We
both started at the same time.
“You first,” I said.
“We shouldn’t get married.”
I nodded, relief filling me.
“I could be the man you needed me to be for a year. But I can’t be that person for the rest of your life.”
“What do you mean?”
“I have too many skeletons in my closet. Too many things I need to work out.”
“So
you were just marrying me because you felt sorry for me?”
He
reached for my arm. “No. By all means, no. I’d like nothing more than to marry you. The fact is that you deserve someone better than me.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.” I frowned. “But
I have to agree that we shouldn’t get married. It was a crazy whim that seemed like a great idea when I thought I only had months to live.”
His shoulders visibly relaxed. “So you agree?”
“Absolutely.”
“How about we back up a few steps and start from the beginning? Maybe with a date?”
I grinned. “I’d like that very much.”
“Friday at seven? I can pick you up.”
I looped my arm through his. “It’s a date.”
##
#
If you enjoyed
Random Acts of Murder
, you might also enjoy The Squeaky Clean Mystery series:
On her way to completing a degree in forensic science, Gabby St. Claire drops out of school and starts her own crime scene cleaning business. “Yeah, that’s me,” she says, “a crime scene cleaner. People waiting in line behind me who strike up conversations always regret it.”
When a routine cleaning job uncovers a murder weapon the police overlooked, she realizes that the wrong person is in jail. But the owner of the weapon is a powerful foe . . . and willing to do anything to keep Gabby quiet.
With the help of her new neighbor, Riley Thomas, a man whose life and faith fascinate her, Gabby plays the detective to make sure the right person is put behind bars. Can Riley help her before another murder occurs?
In this smart and suspenseful sequel to
Hazardous Duty
, crime scene cleaner Gabby St. Claire finds herself stuck doing mold remediation to pay the bills. But her first day on the job, she uncovers a surprise in the crawlspace of a dilapidated home: Elvis, dead as a doornail and still wearing his blue suede shoes. How could she possibly keep her nose out of a case like this?
It Came Upon a Midnight Crime (Book 2.5, a Novella)
Someone is intent on destroying the true meaning of Christmas—at least, destroying anything that hints of it. All around crime scene cleaner Gabby St. Claire’s hometown, anything pointing to Jesus as the “reason for the season” is being sabotaged. The crimes become more twisted as dismembered body parts are found at the vandalisms. Who would go to such great lengths to dampen the joy and hope of Christ’s birthday? Someone’s determined to destroy Christmas . . . but Gabby St. Claire is just as determined to find the Grinch and let peace on earth and goodwill to men prevail.
Gabby St. Claire knows her best friend, Sierra, isn’t guilty of killing three people in what appears to be an eco-terrorist attack. But Sierra has disappeared, her only contact a frantic phone call to Gabby proclaiming that she’s being hunted. Gabby is determined to prove her friend is innocent and to keep her alive. While trying to track down the real perpetrator, Gabby notices a disturbing trend at the crime scenes she’s cleaning, one that ties random crimes together—and points to Sierra as the guilty party. Just what has her friend gotten herself into?
“Promise me one thing. No snooping. Just for one week.”
Gabby St. Claire knows that her fiancé’s request is a simple one that she should be able to honor. After all, Riley’s law school reunion and attorneys’ conference at a hoity-toity resort is a chance for them to get away from the mysteries Gabby often finds herself involved in as a crime scene cleaner. The weeklong trip is a chance for them to be “normal,” a word that leaves a bad taste in Gabby’s mouth.
But Gabby finds herself alone for endless hours while Riley is busy with legal workshops. Then one of Riley’s old friends goes missing, and Gabby suspects one of Riley’s buddies might be behind the disappearance. When the missing woman’s mom asks Gabby for help, how can she say no?
Secrets abound. Frankly, Gabby even has some of her own. When the dirty truth comes out, the revelations put everything in jeopardy—relationships, trusts, and even lives.
The Scum of All Fears (Book 5)
“I’ll get out, and I’ll get even.”
Gabby St. Claire is back to crime-scene cleaning, at least temporarily. With her business partner on his honeymoon, she needs help after a weekend killing spree fills up her work docket. She quickly realizes she has bigger problems than finding temporary help.
A serial killer her fiancé, a former prosecutor, put behind bars has escaped. His last words to Riley were:
I’ll get out, and I’ll get even
. Pictures of Gabby are found in the man’s prison cell, and Riley fears the sadistic madman has Gabby in his sights.
Gabby tells herself there’s no way the Scum River Killer will make it across the country from California to Virginia without being caught. But then messages are left for Gabby at crime scenes, and someone keeps slipping in and out of her apartment.
When Gabby’s temporary assistant disappears, Gabby must figure out who’s behind these crimes. The search for answers becomes darker when Gabby realizes she’s dealing with a criminal who’s more than evil. He’s truly the scum of the earth, and he’ll do anything to make Gabby and Riley’s lives a living nightmare.
To Love, Honor, and Perish (Book 6)
How could God let this happen?
Crime scene cleaner Gabby St. Claire can’t stop asking the question. Just when her life is on the right track, the unthinkable happens. Gabby’s fiancé, Riley Thomas, is shot and remains in life-threatening condition only a week before their wedding.
Gabby is determined to figure out who pulled the trigger, even if investigating puts her own life at risk. But as she digs deeper into the facts surrounding the case, she discovers secrets better left alone. Doubts arise in her mind and the one man with answers is on death’s doorstep.
An old foe from the past returns and tests everything Gabby is made of—physically, mentally, and spiritually. Will her soul survive the challenges ahead? Or will everything she’s worked for be destroyed?
Mucky Streak (Book 7)
After her last encounter with a serial killer, Gabby St. Claire feels her life is smeared with the stain of tragedy. Between the exhaustion of trying to get her fiancé back on his feet, routine night terrors, and potential changes looming on the horizon, she needs a respite from the mire of life.
At the encouragement of her friends, she takes on a short-term gig as a private investigator: a cold case that’s eluded investigators for ten years. The mass murder of a wealthy family seems impossible to solve but quickly gets interesting as Gabby brings more clues to light. Add to the mix a flirtatious client, travels to an exciting new city, and some quirky—albeit temporary—new sidekicks, and things get really complicated.
With every new development, Gabby prays that what she’s calling her “mucky streak” will end and the future will become clear. But every answer she uncovers leads her closer to danger—both for her life and for her heart.
Coming Soon:
Foul Play
(Book 8)
Broom and Gloom
(Book 9)
