“Okay. Let’s get you back inside so you can sit down.” He slid an arm around my waist and helped me limp to the couch. Williams and Clue followed, and I picked up their worry that they’d just arrested an old woman, whom I’d said was a killer. I’d better be right or they were in deep shit.
I sat down and rolled my eyes. They were worried about her? Of course, they didn’t know the whole story, so I began with the search for Ava a few weeks ago. “Mack and Coco,” I indicated the dog lying at my feet, “found Ava safe and sound.”
Misti and her husband entered the house, catching that part, so they quickly sat down to listen. Ava had fallen asleep in Misti’s arms, but she woke up and squirmed off her lap. Ava stepped beside Coco and lay down next to him, quickly falling back asleep.
I explained how I’d ended up with Coco, which had led me to find Austin. I caught Misti’s gasp to realize she might have a brother. She was still shocked to think her mother had kidnapped her and she wasn’t her mother at all.
I continued, telling them of Carolyn’s meeting with Mack, and how she’d planned to kill him all along.
Misti could hardly believe that her mother had killed the man who might be her father. It left her so bereft and shaken that she couldn’t stop the tears from flowing down her cheeks. Could this really be happening?
Part of her could hardly believe that her mother had kidnapped her, and another part of her was relieved that Carolyn wasn’t her mother. It was going to take her a long time to get over the betrayal.
“So,” Clue said. “She admitted to you that she killed Mack?”
She hadn’t said the words out loud, but I’d heard them just the same. “Yes. And she didn’t want Misti to know. That’s why she tried to kill me.”
“Okay. We’ll get forensics to take a look at the hammer for evidence. Even if she washed it, there might be something there to link it to Mack’s murder.” She stood, signaling that they were done. “We might need you back at the station later, but I’ll call you first.”
“Sure.”
Clue glanced at Misti. “I’m sure this has been a shock to you. Is there anything we can do to help?”
She shook her head. “Not right now. I need some time.”
“Of course. We’ll be in touch. Here’s my card if you need anything.”
Clue and Williams left, leaving Dimples behind. “Can I walk you to your car?”
Misti glanced my way, overcome with a sudden need to talk to me. I glanced at Dimples and smiled. “I think I’ll stay a little longer. But thanks for coming.”
“You bet.”
After he left, Misti sat down in his place. “So she really admitted it? She took me from my real family?”
I nodded, and explained what I’d picked up from Carolyn’s mind as if she’d said it all out loud. “She rationalized it… to make it all okay in her mind. I guess she really wanted a daughter.”
“So my real last name was Haywood?” At my nod, she continued, “What about my first name?”
“It’s Macie… with an ie… Macie Haywood.”
Misti sighed and shook her head. “It’s hard to believe this is for real. What if it’s a mistake, and he’s not my father after all?”
“I’m sure you can do a blood test to confirm, but Carolyn admitted it. I don’t think it’s a mistake.”
“I still might want a blood test… just to make sure.” She chewed on her bottom lip, reminding me so much of Austin that my breath caught.
“Your brother, Austin, is my client. I have to tell him what happened to his dad… your dad. When you’re ready, I’d be happy to arrange a meeting between the two of you. I’m sure he’ll want to meet you.”
Her hopeful gaze caught mine. “He’s younger, right?”
“Yes, about three years younger.”
She had so many questions about him… about her whole family. Her dad was gone, but what about her mom? A deep foreboding overcame her. “You haven’t mentioned my real mother. Is that because she’s … gone?”
“Yes… I’m afraid so.”
“They’re both gone?” Tears coursed down her cheeks. “Now I’ll never know them.”
My eyes clouded with tears for her loss. Her grief was so new and real, it broke my heart. I slipped my arm around her shoulders. “They’re not completely gone. You have a brother. He can tell you all about them.”
She nodded, and I sat back. We both wiped tears from our cheeks. “I should go.” I glanced at Misti’s husband, realizing we hadn’t met. “Hi, I’m Shelby.”
“Oh… I’m so sorry.” Misti quickly introduced her husband to me. Beneath his calm exterior, he was almost as shocked as Misti, but a part of him felt profound relief. He’d never liked Carolyn, and now he knew why. If this was all true, they would finally be finished with her meddling and manipulative ways. Their lives could be so much better.
At my request, he happily gathered Coco’s toys and treats from the back yard. He even offered to walk me to my car. Since I needed the help, I took him up on it. We ushered Coco into the back seat. After I got settled behind the wheel, he told me they’d be in touch and closed the door.
As I drove home, I counted my blessings. I’d survived a fall down the stairs that could have killed me. I had an amazing dog who had saved me from serious damage by a hammer-wielding crazy lady, and, since it was my left ankle that was sprained, I could still drive my car.
Now all I needed were a couple of pain pills and a diet soda. That, along with nothing to do for the rest of the
