“How did she manage to grab you, Kate?” Johanna asked.
“I'd parked the car out back where it wouldn't be noticed. I was coming to give extra protection to you two and Kendall while the search was on for Becca and Kristin. I was originally supposed to pick Kendall up, but Alec had already sent her over in a cab, which in hindsight, was a smart move.” She nodded in Alec's direction. “I was walking around the side of the strip mall when Becca came up behind me and pointed a gun in my back. I reached for my weapon, but she knocked it out of my hand. You know the rest.”
“I think Kristin really loved Thatcher, and maybe still does,” Johanna said. “That one thing still bothers me. How could Becca and Thatcher use Kristin the way they did? They destroyed her life.”
“Why did she go along with it?” Frankie asked. “She wasn't forced.”
“Even though she had adoptive parents who loved her, I think she still wanted and needed to know her birth mother. I don't know if Becca rebuked her, or if that was part of the plan to make everyone think she did,” Johanna said. “Frankie and I don't know if anything Kristin told us yesterday was true either. For all we know everything might have been made up.”
“No, she actually was an aspiring actress and did make some local commercials. I think Kristin legitimately came to make a connection with her birth mother and that's when Thatcher and Becca hatched the rest of their plan.”
George exhaled loudly. “I don't know what to believe at this point, but I do think Becca was, and Kristin is, mentally unstable. Could be it runs in their blood line.”
Frankie laughed. “Ok, it's wrong of me for thinking that's funny, but after what we've been through, I don't care.”
Johanna patted her shoulder. “Neither do I.”
“Maybe the real truth will all come out at the trial. So far, Kristin refuses to blame Thatcher for any wrongdoing. She says it was all Becca and herself. I think she'll defend him until the day she dies.” George shook his head. “It's pathetic the hold he still has on her.”
Frankie leaned back in her chair and put her hands behind her head. “This has been one hell of a day. A very long day.”
“It's tomorrow,” Kate reminded her.
George pulled himself out of his chair and stood, stretching. “I think we all need to get home and get some rest.”
Frankie yawned. “Good idea. Well, we're taking tomorrow off, so if anyone needs to reach us to answer any more questions, we'll be home. I intend to sleep until noon though,” Frankie announced.
Chapter 20
“Thank you for inviting me. You have a beautiful home, Frankie and Johanna,” Kendall said. “I've had a wonderful day. I don't know when I've enjoyed myself so much.” She glanced around the table. “And it's a pleasure to know everyone under more pleasant circumstances.”
“We're happy to have you, Kendall. And you'd better not be a stranger,” Johanna warned.
She smiled. “I won't be. I want to thank all of you for everything you've done for me.”
Alec sat back in his patio chair. “I told you Frankie and Johanna are the best. They always go above and beyond what they're hired to do.” He grinned. “No wonder the sheriff here speaks so highly of you two.”
“Since when?” Frankie asked in a teasing tone.
George laughed. “Since always and you know it.”
Frankie grinned then grew serious. “What happened to Kristin's baby?”
“Chloe has been placed with Kristin's adoptive parents,” George said.
“Good,” Johanna replied. “How are you holding up, Kendall?”
“Very well, thanks to Alec and Jillian. I've been spending my days becoming reacquainted with Bronson Enterprises. I enjoy going to the office every day and being around people again. Jillian has become my personal assistant and we're making a lot of changes.”
“One of the first things Kendall did was to make Haley Jones the head of the finance department. That woman is amazing,” Jillian said.
Frankie grinned. “Good. She must have been ecstatic.”
“She was. She definitely deserved that promotion,” Kendall stated.
“I still can't get over everything Becca Manning and Thatcher did,” Johanna said.
“Neither can I,” Kendall admitted. “What diabolical minds they have. Pure evil.”
“And to think it was all Becca's idea to set up the offshore accounts according to Thatcher,” Alec said rolling his eyes heavenward. “All the evidence lain out in front of him and he still proclaims his innocence.”
“I think she would have stepped in front of a train if he’d asked her to,” Kendall said.
“Some women will do anything to get their man,” Arlan said jokingly.
Kate lovingly poked him in the ribs. “And some men will do anything to get their woman.”
Kendall laughed. “Well, Thatcher will get what’s coming to him. I’m just glad to be rid of him. I feel like I’ve been reborn.”
Frankie smiled as she took Johanna’s hand.
* * * *
“What a day,” Frankie said as she climbed into bed. “I think I'll sleep all day tomorrow and maybe even the day after.”
“You think so, do you?” Johanna said looking deeply into her eyes.
“Uh oh. What do you have planned for me?”
“Hmm. I thought maybe I'd start with a little of this,” she said running her fingertips lightly over Frankie's inner thighs. “Then a little of this,” she continued as she slowly inserted a finger inside of her. “That is unless you really want to sleep for the next couple of days.”
“Not on your life,” Frankie replied wrapping her arms around Johanna.
About the Author
Writing is Kira's number one passion. When she is not writing, Kira enjoys reading, gardening, cooking and traveling. She has many novels, poems and short stories to her credit. For information about Kira's current and upcoming titles, please visit: http://www.kirachase.com or http://kirachase.blogspot.com. She resides in New Jersey.
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