Page 61 of Vows of Murder

You can shred it or give it to Greg. It’s probably a plea for him not to marry you, which has already happened. She didn’t want Greg. She wanted Sherry’s version of a new and improved Greg. I can see that you are in love with Greg just as he is, which is all I can ask from a daughter-in-law.

Thanks for being you. And enjoy thenew furniture.

Amanda

I tucked the note back into the envelope with the receipts and pulled out Sherry’s letter. Now that I knew Amanda hadn’t been aware of it, I felt better about our future together. I set it aside. I’d give it to Greg. I didn’t need to know all it said, but he should have the choice to read it. In case it was an apology or maybe a check for his half of the money in a long-lost joint account that she’d closed.

I saw the book Kane had given me during the open house,The Four Agreements.He might have understood the power of positive thinking, but it hadn’t saved him from being killed. I opened the book. I’d never read it. I wasn’t much for rah-rah cheerleading, positive-thinking, self-help books. Deek handled those types of advance reader copies when we got them at the bookstore. I lived in California; I should be more open to magical thinking. I think it was pumped into the air vents of all the public buildings.

An envelope fell out as I opened the book. I frowned, checking to see if I’d grabbed Sherry’s letter with the book. Her letter was still on the table.

I took the letter out of the envelope and readthe first line.

If you’re reading this, I’mprobably dead.

I finished reading the letter that Kane had written to me, then smuggled out with his gift of the book. Kane hadn’t been in charge of the large security team. Neither had Roger. Maryanne was running the show over at New Hope. Kane had become a liability.He wanted out.

I held the letter up and hurried into the kitchen. The men were gathered in the livingroom, talking.

“Jill, the bed’s ready for sheets and stuff, but I’ve got to get back to the station.” Greg pulled me into a hug. “Thanks, Josh, Kyle, and Toby, for helping get that installed.”

Josh’s phone beeped with a text. He started walking to the door as he read it. He turned at the doorway and waved to Kyle. “Sorry, it’s Mandy. We need to get back to the shop. We’ve got a guy with a truckload to sell.”

Toby must have ridden to the house with Greg because he didn’t leave withJosh and Kyle.

“Greg, you need to read this. I think Maryanne and Vince killed Kane.” I handed him the two envelopes. “And there’s a letter from Sherry that shegave your mom.”

* * * *

Darla got the exclusive for her newspaper, but Beth came back to town to help with background information. Kane and Roger were both being manipulated by Maryanne and Vince. Kane told them he was changing some of the covenants of the church. He wanted to become more mainstream in their mission. That Sunday, Kane had thought he was meeting with Pastor Bill at the mission, not Molly. Vince had redirected Bill to talk to Molly. And then he’d met Kaneand killed him.

When Greg got back to the station, he’d found Roger there, asking for protection. Vince was at the compound.

It took a while to get people prepped to take the compound from its security guards. The actual takedown had required several local law enforcement agencies as well as Anya and child protective services, so it was the next week before the actual arrest. We almost had a Waco-like standoff in our little town. Beth called as soon as the news cycle started reportingthe full story.

The security team was already nervous since no one knew where Roger had gone. Losing a second prophet after one had been killed was one coincidence too far. They weren’t willing to die for the cause. They could see the writing on the wall.

When Greg came home that night, he sank next to me on the couch. “It’s over.”

“Did you call your mom?” I turned off the television even though Emma was still watching the cooking show. We could start again it later. The joy of streaming.

“Beth said she’d call her. Beth thinks she has enough for an epilogue. And she’s planning on sending out some feelers to publishing agents. So, fingers crossed for her. I’d love for this mess to turn into good for someone.”

“I know one more person who’s going to be excited for this to be over.”

He looked at me, his eyes almost closed. He’d been up since four, coordinating the arrest. “Who’s that?”

“Me. After you sleep for a week and get your prisoners to wherever, we’re going on our honeymoon. So whereare we going?”

He closed his eyes. He was beat, I could tell. I needed to leave him alone sohe could sleep.

“Greg? Maybe you should go up to bed.” Our couch was comfortable, but that new mattresswas incredible.

“I never told you what was in Sherry’s letter.” He didn’t open his eyes as he talked to me. “Aren’t you curious?”

“A little. But you’re still here. I assumed the letter didn’t sway you to run back to her.” I brushed his sandy hair away from his eyes. He didneed a haircut.

“First she listed all the ways I’d messed up our relationship, then said she’d forgive me if I came back. I guess she dumped the new husband.” He opened his eyes. “I’m so glad you’re nota drama queen.”

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