Page 58 of One Last Smile

“I’m sorry, Sebastian,” I say. “I’m afraid word already has gotten to the authorities.” I raise my voice and call, “Inspector! I believe we’re ready for you.”

The door to the parlor opens, and four uniformed police officers walk into the room. Sebastian takes a look at their grim faces and deflates. For the first time since I’ve seen him, he looks truly old.

The chief inspector announces in a coldly professional tone, “Eliza Carlton, Rupert Chalmers, you two are under arrest for the murder of Minerva Montclair.”

Veronica bursts into tears. Oliver stares hatefully at his sister as she’s led away. Lucas walks to his mother’s side and puts his arm around her. I feel a touch of sadness for the pain I’ve caused them.

But mostly I feel joy. Against all odds, I’ve found justice for a young, naïve but innocent girl whose future was stolen from her by people who valued their own desires above her right to life.

I’ve accomplished my purpose here.

EPILOGUE

“Come to wish me a fond farewell?”

I turn toward the voice to see Niall’s lopsided grin. I return the smile and say, “To be honest, I was only taking one last stroll along the grounds. I am glad to see you, though. I owe you an apology.”

“No apology necessary,” he says. “I realize I’m a suspicious-looking sort. I could change meself to look and act more proper, but I’m too old and curmudgeonly to bother.”

“It grows ever harder to change oneself as we grow older, doesn’t it?” I agree.

“That it does. I’m glad I caught you before you left, though. I have something for you.”

He steps closer and hands me a business card. I turn it over and read, Sean O’Connell, Private Investigator.

“He’s a good man,” Niall says. “I hired him a few years back when an employee of mine disappeared with a million quid from the company. He found the bloke in three weeks. He and I became friends. I don’t know if you’ll stay in England, but he travels all over the world, so if you need him, he’ll come. Don’t worry about the expense either. I told him to bill me for whatever it costs to help you.”

“You told him about me?”

“I did. I don’t know if you’ll ever have need of him, but if you find yourself drawn to another mystery and can’t ignore it, it might be safer to use a professional than to stick your own neck out.”

I have no intention of getting involved in any of my future employers’ business, but then, I never intended to get involved with the Carltons either. I can’t say that I’ll never find myself entangled in a mystery again.

And then I think of Annie. Surely, after twenty-eight years, there’s nothing a private investigator could do to find answers to her disappearance, but perhaps…

“Thank you, Niall. That’s very kind of you.”

He shrugs. “Least I can do. You’re the only person who wouldn’t give up on that poor girl. Even I stopped my ears and covered my eyes. But you didn’t. Thank you for that.”

I smile at him. Then I surprise him by stepping forward and embracing him. He wraps his arms awkwardly around me, and when I release him, I see him blushing furiously. It’s silly of me, I know, but I’m flattered to know that at my age, I can still have that effect on a man. “I wish you all the best, Niall.”

He shuffles his feet. “You too, Mary.”

I take his hands in mine and squeeze them gently, then head back toward the house.

***

I walk to the porch, my luggage in my hand. Oliver and Lucas stand there waiting for me. Oliver has his hand on his younger brother’s shoulder, and Lucas has his arm around Oliver’s waist. They smile at me, and I feel tears well in my eyes as I embrace them.

“You will come visit, won’t you?” Lucas asks.

I smile at him. “I may need to visit you at school rather than home, but I promise I’ll see you again.”

Veronica is in the house. She managed to avoid arrest since she didn’t say anything that can be proven to be conspiracy to conceal evidence of a crime, but she’s furious with me for destroying her family. She hasn’t spoken to me since everything happened yesterday. I know she realizes I’ve done nothing wrong, but I made it impossible for her to ignore what she already knew. For some people, that’s worse.

“Alistair says he’ll have a place for us,” Oliver offers. “He wants to move me out to help him when I finish university. I think I will.”

“Do you think he’ll succeed?” I ask him.

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