Page 89 of Decoding Morse

I hadn’t realized how desperately I needed her absolution. Never truly knew I needed it. So, when all the guilt and turmoil I’d been carrying around since that day unraveled, the sudden lightness in my chest was so goddamn freeing it physically hurt. Unexpected relief stung the backs of my eyes.

“Yeah, but I never stopped thinking about you,” I admitted. “Never stopped wanting you. I love you, Angel, and I have loved you for a long-ass time. I know I fucked up, but I don’t give a single fuck about our age difference or your not wanting more kids.Youare what I want.”

Tears welled up in her eyes. “I love you, too.”

She lunged forward, and her lips crashed into mine. I pulled her onto my lap and made sure she knew she was mine. Because I was never letting this woman go.

* * *

I stayed at Carol’s house with Amelia that night, and we took turns checking on the patient and keeping her company. She passed early the next morning in her study, surrounded by the books she loved so much, with a smile on her face and holding Amelia’s hand.

After the coroner came to collect the body, Amelia and I caught a rideshare back to the fire station. It was early afternoon, but we were exhausted and mentally drained, so we went directly to my room.

Her gaze flickered over the space, which wasn’t much different from the rooms she’d been sharing with Morgan and Thia, and then face-planted on the bed. Chuckling, I bent to remove her boots, and both our phones buzzed with a message. Specks, Prospect, and Morgan were on the way home.

Since the hit had been called off, continued proof of life pictures had become unnecessary. Of course, that hadn’t mattered to Amelia. Seeing her girl out in the world and happy was one of the few things that had kept her going under the heavy cloud of Carol’s impending death.

I tugged the phone from my pocket to find a picture from Specks of Morgan passed out in the passenger’s seat. Amelia had done the same and smiled at the photo, but the worry in her eyes reminded me of the envelope in my pocket.

Realizing I had a timely promise to keep, I dug into my pocket again, tossing the envelope on the bed beside Amelia. Hername was written on the front in spidery scrawl, so she scooped it up.

“What’s this?”

“Carol asked me to give it to you after she passed.”

Amelia stiffened, staring at the envelope like it might attack and rip her to shreds. Finally, she slid a shaky finger beneath the flap, prying it open enough to tug the letter free. Carefully unfolding the page, she scanned the note, then barked out a hiccupping sob of laughter.

“Carol made me her beneficiary?”

“Yes.”

Amelia’s wet gaze shot to me. “You knew.”

“She told me in the hospital when she gave me the envelope, but she made me promise not to tell you.”

She nodded, her tear-filled eyes understanding. “That’s why Eric wanted me dead.”

“Yep.”

She set the letter aside, brushing a stray tear from her cheek. “Whoa. I… I don’t know how to feel about any of this.”

I brushed a lock of hair from her face, stroking her cheek before tucking it behind her ear. “That’s okay. You’ve got time to figure it out.”

Her glassy eyes welled over, and she looked away, blinking rapidly as her emotions flowed down her cheeks. “I can’t believe she did that.”

I sat next to her on my bed, rubbing her back and attempting to soothe the broken sobs she couldn’t stifle. When her breathing calmed, I slid an arm around her shoulders and tucked her into my side, pillowing her head on my chest. With no words at all, I assured her I would always be here, keeping her safe. Forever.

Her eyes closed, and as she drifted off, I used my free hand to pick up the letter and read.

To my Amelia,

After much consideration, I have decided to make you the sole beneficiary of my will.

Before you go tearing up and singing my praises, let me assure you my motives are not entirely altruistic. If there is an afterlife, I do not wish to spend it burning in some lake of fire, so I’m tasking you with finding legitimate, impactful charities to donate my wealth to. In short, I’m instructing you to spend my money like my salvation depends on it.

But don’t you dare give it all away.

Wealth might not solve all your problems, but it pays for college tuition, excellent medical care, and lavish vacations, all of which you desperately need. I shall be severely disappointed if you don’t find new and tawdry ways to enjoy yourself on my dime. Please do not force me to haunt you, dear. The old lady specter wandering the halls of her manor is so passé.

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