Malice Murder by Alex Collins

Author:Alex Collins
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: T L Haddix
Published: 2022-11-07T17:24:22+00:00

Chapter 21

Right as they were getting ready to leave, Gordon’s phone rang again.

“It’s a 270 number,” he said, referring to the area code for the western part of Kentucky—an area code that also included Elizabethtown. He exchanged a tense look with Stacy as he answered. “Hello?”

She was afraid to breathe, afraid to move, as she watched his face. When absolute relief visibly washed over him and he smiled, it took everything in her not to burst into tears.

“Completely dropped? You’re sure? Okay. No, Detective, that’s exactly what we were hoping. Can you tell me what changed?”

Unable to stand still, she headed for the windows, where she sank down on the ottoman next to Chloe. She didn’t realize she was shaking until she reached a hand out to pet the cat and saw it trembling.

Gordon followed her, slowly walking as he conversed with who she presumed was Hathaway. “Really? That’s unexpected to say the least. Oh, by the way—I sent my brother your way. He’s a deputy… you did? Good. Yeah, that’s what we were thinking here too.” He listened for a minute, then nodded. “Okay. I can’t begin to tell you how much we appreciate your efforts on this. If we can help in any way… okay. You too.”

He ended the call and put his phone back in its holster, all the while staring at Stacy. “It’s over. All charges have been dismissed. Everly was dead before you even left Leroy. You didn’t kill him. You’re free.” Hunkering down in front of her, he placed his hands on her knees. “You’re free.”

It was too much for her to take in. In less than seventy-two hours, her entire life had been turned upside down and back again. She couldn’t speak she was so relieved, so instead, she held on to Gordon, crying. While her tears now were nothing like those from the other night, she was still devastated.

“I don’t think I’ve ever cried this much in my adult life,” she said, laughing as she clung to him.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He pulled back a short distance, sniffling, his eyes red, and cleared his throat. “No idea. What’s this ‘crying’ you speak of?”

“Nothing a tough guy like you has to worry about, I’m sure.” Cupping his face, she leaned in and kissed him very softly. It was a chaste kiss, sweet and innocent, and she drew back before it could grow too intense. Nonetheless, it was a real kiss, and it left Gordon speechless.

He pressed his mouth against the backs of her fingers. Keeping her left hand in his, he got to his feet. “Let’s go celebrate. Do you want me to brief you?”

“No, actually. Right now, I don’t want to even think about this mess. I’ll text Wyatt and let him know, then we can talk about things—but not now. Later?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

The whole drive to his mother-in-law’s, Stacy kept her hand on his leg. She needed the connection to him, and moreover, she wanted it. “Tell me about Sandra, please.

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