The Reunion (32 page)
“
If
she was pregnant, the coroner either didn’t say anything or her parents hushed it up.”
“My guess is it was always in the autopsy report. The Prescotts just never asked to see it. And since it was obviously a suicide, the case was probably closed without the details ever being revealed,” Meghan remarked, raising her head and wiping her eyes. “You’re right. Either way, Ray Armstrong knew why she did it. I guess we’ll never know exactly how Glory’s mind worked, but what better way to kill the man who raped your sister than to lure him to the reunion with a murder?”
If I were writing this, I’d use it as a plot strategy. It’s brilliant.
Suddenly, her creative urges kicked in. She couldn’t wait to start a new book.
“I wonder how on earth she would have killed Ray?” Zach mused.
“She managed Dave just fine.”
“But she ditched the stun gun.”
“Maybe she planned on retrieving it later, or maybe she made another plan when word got out about the stun gun.
Maybe
, she just didn’t know and decided to wing it.” She paused, and then sighed. “God, let’s get out of here.”
Zach helped her to her feet. “I’m with you. I don’t think I’ll attend the twenty-fifth reunion.”
They exited the hospital and walked to the car. Before opening the passenger door, he stopped and gazed into her eyes.
Meghan’s heart knocked against her ribs, and her nerves danced when he placed his hands on her shoulders.
Zach lips curved into a sexy smile. “Do you have to return to Raleigh right away?”
“Not for a couple of weeks. I tied the reunion into a two week vacation.”
“Any place special?”
“No. I was going to let the wind blow me somewhere.”
He arched his eyebrows. “Ever been to Phoenix?”
“Can’t say that I have,” she replied, not at all surprised when her heart rate accelerated.
“I have a three-bedroom house in town, and own a dude ranch near the Grand Canyon.”
“A dude ranch? You’re kidding.”
“Not at all. It’s a great investment and very relaxing. I don’t know about you, but I can use a rest.”
“Is that an invitation?”
His smile deepened into a grin. “Definitely.”
She teased him for a moment, pretending to think, and then laughed at his anxious expression.
“Make the plane reservations. I’ll go shopping for jeans and cowboy boots. Yee-haw!”
“Don’t forget a hat. You’ll need one of those. It’s August and the sun is brutal.” Zach stared into her eyes. “I love you, Meghan. Let’s make this the start of the rest of our lives.”
“Are you proposing?”
He smiled. “Yeah, I guess I am. Could have done it better, but I’m new at this love thing.”
“I think you did it beautifully.”
“You haven’t said yes yet,” he reminded her.
Tears welled in her eyes. “Of course, I’ll say yes. I love you, too.”
He pulled Meghan into his arms, kissing her soundly. She ignored those stabbing jabs of pain as her bruises protested until she came up for air.
“You’ll make one hell of a cowgirl.”
“I suppose you own all the correct cowboy gear? Does that make you a real cowboy?”
“Of course,” he answered, his lips nuzzling her ear.
She shivered and welcomed the throb from deep inside her. “And you know how to ride horses?”
“Hmm,” he murmured from the vicinity of her neck.
“I don’t,” she whispered, snatching his ear lobe between her teeth.
The throb intensified, sending little flames licking along her nerves.
“I’ll teach you.” His lips nibbled lightly on her chin.
“I have a better idea. As the song goes, ‘Save a horse, ride a cowboy.’”
He laughed, and then covered her mouth with his.
Epilogue
Excerpts from the Grandview, Indiana News-Journal:
August 31
st
“Grandview Sheriff Raymond Armstrong was officially placed on administrative leave by Mayor Travis Connor pending the investigation of a twenty-year-old rape accusation made by Thomas Ecklund on behalf of his late sister-in-law, Divine Prescott. Mr. Ecklund is married to Glory Prescott, sister of the deceased, who is currently being held in…”
September 20
th
“After evaluations by three state approved psychiatrists, Judge Randolph J. Hennison today sentenced Glory Prescott Ecklund to The Indiana State Sanatorium for the Criminally Insane where she will remain until doctors deem her fit to carry out her sentence of life in prison for the murders of…”
November 6
th
“Today mayor-elect, John Hamilton congratulated his opponent, Dan Masterson on a well-run race and looks forward to working with the City Councilman in the future. Businessman Hamilton won in a landslide of close to 3-1…”
November 15
th
“Two fishermen reported finding the body of suspended sheriff Ray Armstrong in his car parked on the north end of Samson’s Lake. Cause of death is pending an autopsy, but witnesses revealed a gunshot wound to the head. Sheriff Armstrong’s police issued Glock was found next to the body.
The Grand Jury recently indicted the former sheriff on rape charges when, after twenty years, an old coroner’s report was discovered stating that Divine Prescott, aged eighteen, had been three months pregnant at the time of death.
Acting Sheriff Ron Campbell released the following statement: “We are indeed saddened by this tragedy. Ray Armstrong was a dedicated law enforcement officer and a valued member of the community. The sheriff’s office has no comment on the accusations against Sheriff Armstrong.”
E-Mail from Thomas Ecklund to Zachary Dunbar:
Ray Armstrong committed suicide early this morning in his car with a single shot to the head. One of the men who found him told me he read a note left on the front seat. In it, Ray confessed to having raped Divine.
When I told Glory, she quoted, “The Lord shall return thy wickedness upon thine own head.” The book of I Kings, chapter two, verse forty-four.
I know other appropriate quotes: “Nature has but one judgment on wrong conduct—the judgment of death.” Oliver Wendell Holmes.
“Preserve me, O God, for in thee I put my trust.” Psalms 16:1
Divine can rest in peace. It’s over.
~Tom
A word about the author...
Suzanne was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, but has had the privilege of living in many areas of the country. Currently, she and her husband call Ft. Lauderdale, Florida home.
When not creating murder and mayhem along with romance, she loves traveling to see her 6 grandchildren in Memphis, Tennessee, and in Rockford, Illinois.
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