Crowds of uniformed officers intercepted her along the way to Doug’s cubicle. Countless reunions filled her with emotions too deep to cast off. She was home, and when this case was closed, she’d need to reconsider her work location. She’d been a fool to think a different state could ever replace Georgia.
Doug was bent over a computer screen while talking to an officer when he spotted her and waved her over.
“I couldn’t sleep another minute with your future hanging in the balance. Seems we both still have the untiring itch to work the case till done.” He glanced at the people still milling about. “You people have nothing to do? Get back to work.” He led her into an office at the far end of the room and closed the door.
Melanie smiled. “Your own office?”
“Sure – I did such a good job with you, it put me in a positive light for promotion. Thanks for being such a good recruit.”
“My pleasure. I learned a lot from you.”
“Truth is, I’m just a puppy nipping at the bottom of the upper management ladder. Far from top dog around here, so, don’t go ruining my reputation.” Doug chuckled while he spoke.
“I’m happy for you. What would you think if I told you I was considering coming back?” She shrugged her shoulders when he cast a questioning glance. “South Carolina is nice, but it’s not home.”
“I’d welcome you back with open arms,” Doug said. “Got some unruly rookies I can saddle you with. Payback’s a corker.”
She laughed. “I always felt like part of a huge family in this precinct, and today, well…today everyone has opened the wounds. I miss you guys.”
“Well, let’s get down to clearing up this mess you’ve dragged onto my desk,” he said. “By the way, your prints are not on the bag of drugs. That puts you in the clear. And the fact that you handed in a similar bag to the Carolina force only validates your innocence. I requested an update, and they just sent some results from their investigation. Appears Chelsea Knights prints are all over the bag planted in Chrissy’s room as well as the one she planted at the manor. The woman is sitting in a very bad light today. Appears to be quite the amateur.”
“Just before I left the house, I caught her rummaging through Trevor’s office, and she snuck out with a folder. That woman is up to no good.”
“I have the names of your abductors,” he raised his brow and added, “Including Drew. We have suspicions as to the reason behind the happenings of late, but we have no evidence that will convict them. We need to catch them in an act, or dig up proof that will stand up in a courtroom.”
Melanie caught his excitement and smiled. “It’s all about money. Either they are after Chrissy’s inheritance or Trevor’s – or perhaps both. Chelsea has voiced her desire to own Knight Manor and appeared smug in the discovery of the file she lifted this morning. Did you know that Chrissy turns twenty-one at the end of the month? Her holdings are large, and perhaps Chelsea thinks she can nab it since Chrissy turned her back on the fortune.” Melanie gasped. “The end of the month! Doug, one of my kidnappers eluded to this mess all wrapping up by the end of the month.”
“Which is only a few days away. Now, if that doesn’t get a detective’s adrenalin pumping, I’m not sure what would,” Doug said as he opened a folder with a twinkle in his eye. “Let’s form a plan.”
Guess who’s coming to dinner? Where good meets evil in the final battle.
Chapter 16
Trevor returned from the city at five and hurried straight to his suite to prepare for dinner, leaving no time for Melanie to brief him on the meeting at the precinct with Doug. She considered loitering outside his bedroom door, but figured that would be pushing the envelope of their developing relationship.
It appeared all the guests except for the duo in question had canceled at the last minute, which caused Melanie’s heart to beat with anticipation. Were they setting the stage for the final push?
She texted Doug with the names on the cozy guest list and dressed to impress the enemy.
Trevor and Melanie were sitting alone at the table with Stephen Alexander and Chelsea. Though the atmosphere was electrified, chit-chat dominated the conversation. Just before dessert, Stephen received a text and she witnessed the wicked upturn of his lips. He immediately broached the subject she expected had been on his mind the entire evening.
“Did you sign the papers I left?” Stephen asked Trevor.
“No,” Trevor said. “I’ve been pre-occupied.” When he looked at Melanie, Chelsea seethed.
Stephen held his composure and continued in a sugary-tone. “So pleased Miss Baxter was cleared of the drug charges. Suppose we’ll never know if it was Chrissy who left the stash there.”
“The police have questions for both you and Chelsea. They will be dropping by tomorrow,” Melanie said, watching the pair squirm.
Stephen Alexander sighed, got to his feet, and withdrew a pistol from his jacket pocket. “I’m afraid I won’t be here tomorrow. Chelsea and Drew can do as they please.” He leveled a glare at Trevor. “If it weren’t for your procrastination, I’d already be long gone.”
Chelsea scrambled to her feet. “What are you doing, Stephen? This isn’t part of the plan.”
“New plans, thanks to Miss Baxter’s resurrection from the dead, and her interference in two states. She just couldn’t roll over and die like all good victims.”
“You were behind the drownings at the river?” Melanie asked. She had
