The Hitwoman and the Chubby Cherub (25 page)

“You know he’s in there?”

He nodded, stepping closer.

“It’s ruined now, isn’t it?”

He tilted his head from side to side. “Its purpose has been defeated. It’s no longer a secret spot for you.”

I sighed. “I just didn’t know what else to do with him.”

“I understand.”

“I really do appreciate the effort you put into putting it together for me,” I assured him.

“And the olives,” he added with mock solemnity.

“Especially the olives,” I agreed with a smile, impulsively throwing my arms around him and giving him a hug.

He squeezed back.

We stood there for a long moment, just holding each other. It felt good, and safe, and peaceful.

“I owe you an explanation,” he finally said, his chin resting on the top of my head. “About that woman Belgard visited.”

I tensed remembering how he’d warned me away from her.

“I recognized her.”

“Obviously. You called her a ghost. Why?”

“She’s supposed to be dead,” he said quietly. “I was supposed to have killed her. If certain people were to find out she’s still alive…” He trailed off making it clear that the possibility frightened him.

“I understand,” I murmured.

“Do you?” He pushed me away from him slightly so that he could look into my eyes. “Do you, Mags? Because I love my kids and I’d do anything to protect them. Anything. And the people that wanted that woman dead wouldn’t hesitate to go after my family to punish me.”

“I’ll stay away from her,” I promised, not liking the fear and desperation I saw in his eyes.

He nodded. “Thank you.” He pressed a kiss to my forehead. “I’ve got to get back to work and you’ve got to do whatever it is you’re going to do with your dad. I’ll see you soon.”

With that, he disappeared into the darkness.

“Verrrrrrry
interesting,” God said from his hangout in my bra.  “Are you going to keep your promise?”

“I hope to. Besides,” I reminded him, “I still haven’t read that diary.”

With that I unlocked the door.

“Gotta! Gotta!” DeeDee woofed as she pushed past me and galloped toward the nearest fire hydrant.

“He’s been on the phone, making plans to get out of town,” Piss informed me as she strolled out onto the street.

Dad looked at me expectantly. “Well?”

“Cupid’s been caught and I told the police I don’t know where you are.” I held out the cash I’d gotten from the bank. “Please make that a true statement.”

When he reached for the money, I pulled it back.

“But first,” I said quietly, “I want you to tell me all about this brother of mine.”

He shook his head.

“It’s either that or I call the cops and tell them where you are. I’m tired of doing things your way.”

I’d thought he’d crumble under my tough love act, but instead he sneered at me. “No you won’t. Otherwise you’d have to explain how you have this place and I’m pretty sure you don’t want to do that.”

He stepped closer to me and plucked the bills from my fingers. “I’m not the only one in this family who’s a criminal.”

Chapter Thirty

My father’s words were still ringing in my ears when I got back to the B&B.

He was right. I was no better than him, indulging in criminal activities at the expense of my family. Guilt gnawed at my gut mercilessly.

“It’s time,” Marshal Griswald said as I walked into the kitchen after letting DeeDee and Piss inside.

“Time?”

“Eat to time?” DeeDee panted hopefully.

“In a minute,” I told her. I turned my attention to the man who was pouring champagne into two antique flutes. “Time for what?”

“Ooooh, shiny,” Piss purred.

That’s when I saw it, the diamond ring sparkling on Griswald’s pinky. I watched as he carefully dropped it into one of the glasses and held it up to examine it in the light.

“You’re proposing?” I gasped.

He looked at me, blinking his concern. “I told you I want to spend my life with her. I thought you approved.”

“You don’t need my approval,” I told him.

He put the glass down. “But I’d like it.”

He watched me, waiting expectantly.

Selfishly, I thought for a moment how difficult it would be to have a bunch of in-laws in law enforcement.

“Champagne?” Angel asked, strolling into the kitchen. “Someone’s having a special Valentine’s Day.”

Griswald watched my response carefully.

“He’s proposing,” I choked out. “Isn’t that wonderful?”

Angel nodded slowly as though my tone had conveyed it wasn’t so wonderful.

I turned to Griswald. “I’m sorry. I’m being selfish. My whole life we’ve had her to ourselves and that’s the way I’m used to things.” I shrugged. “But you make her happier than I’ve ever seen her and she deserves that kind of joy. I’m thrilled for both of you.”

Griswald broke into a relieved smile. “If you’re sure?”

I nodded.

Grinning like a besotted schoolboy, he picked up the champagne flutes and rushed from the room to pop the question.

“Good luck!” Angel called after him.

“Good luck,” I parroted.

“You don’t look thrilled,” Angel observed.

“It’s just been a long day.”

“Cam brought cupcakes,” he said. “Why don’t you check on Katie and I’ll feed the dog and make up a tray for us to share downstairs?”

“Hungry!” DeeDee panted at the mention of food.

I was going to tell Angel he didn’t need to do that, but I was exhausted and needed to escape the kitchen before Marlene and Leslie returned from their double-date and bored me to death with their play-by-play. “Thank you.”

I looked in on Katie who was sleeping soundly. Then I headed to the basement while Angel fussed over the dog’s food.

I put the lizard back in the terrarium and flopped on the couch, making a mental note to read the diary as soon as Angel left.

Leaning back, I closed my eyes.

I must have fallen asleep because when I awoke, there was a plate of cupcakes, a glass of milk, and a dozen yellow roses in a simple vase on the table beside me. Angel was nowhere in sight.

“He let you sleep,” Piss purred when she noticed me stirring.

I yawned. “I must have drifted off for a minute.”

“More than a minute. The milk’s probably warm,” she said.

Touching the glass, I found she was right.

I stared at the flowers, trying to remember the last time I’d been given any. Noticing a card, balanced among the stems, I pulled it out, opened the envelope and read the card, which contained a single word.

“What’s it say, sugar?” the cat asked curiously, jumping up to sniff the blooms.

“Bellissima.”

“Beautiful,” God translated from his terrarium.

“They are,” I agreed, cupping a rose in my hand.

“I don’t think he’s talking about the flowers,” Piss said.

God flicked his tail. “I concur.”

I ate a cupcake, okay two, while I wrestled with the lock of the diary I’d found in the hidden compartment at Belgard’s house.

Finally I got it unlocked with the help of a paperclip.

I gasped when I opened it.

“Wrong is what?” DeeDee asked worriedly.

I didn’t answer her. I couldn’t speak. I was too shocked.

I recognized the handwriting the moment I saw it.

This diary belonged to my sister Darlene.

Hands shaking, I thumbed through to the end.

The last date she’d entered was almost eighteen months after she’d disappeared.

“Maggie?” God asked. “What is it?”

“She’s alive,” I whispered. “She’s alive.”

“You’ve known that for a while,” God reminded me.

I shook my head. Hearing the news through a psychic via my dead sister Teresa was not the same as holding the evidence in my hands and reading it with my own eyes.

I jumped when the cellar door swung open.

DeeDee growled. “Intruder.”

Regretting my decision to not allow Angel to reinforce the door, I jumped behind the couch to hide.

I heard Patrick’s voice in my head, drilling self-defense tactics into me.
“Ears. Nose. Throat. Groin. Ears. Nose. Throat. Groin.”

I prepared myself for battle. I wouldn’t go down without a fight.

“Attack?” DeeDee snarled.

“Don’t be an idiot.” God sounded snootier than ever. “Don’t you know who that is?”

The End

A note from JB:

I must confess that I
really
relished the part where Maggie got to beat Vinny up a little – obviously Gino did too!

I hope you enjoyed The Hitwoman and the Chubby Cherub. If you did, please consider posting a review. You have no idea how much each and every review is appreciated, so “thank you” in advance!

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