Page 38 of Unveiled

“You don’t need to say a single word right now. Just knowing you’re safe is enough for me.” Before he could say I love you, Mark and Charlie came into view.

Charlie was on her phone with what sounded like the police. Mark squatted down. “Hey, Sweetheart, you good?” Mark reached out and brushed her cheek. She nodded. “The police are on their way and they’ll have questions. Are you up to answering them?”

“Yeah. I just want this to be over. I can’t believe all this was over drugs. And that my parents aren’t here because my dad had suspicions about Dale. Nothing solid, just suspicions. And he killed them for it. It’s just so senseless.”

“Yeah, it is, Babes, but his drug ties ran deep. And he was using the crematorium to dispose of bodies for a very powerful man.”

Tatum sat up straighter. “What?”

“Yeah, hon.” Mark picked up. “He was doing a lot of shady shit. It’s best we don’t tell you anything before you talk to the police. That way your info is accurate and honest, not tainted by anything we found out. If you want to be filled in after, I’ll be more than happy to do that for you if you promise never to put yourself in danger again. You about gave this one a heart attack.” Mark clapped Rush on the back before turning to greet the police who now entered the building.

“Ready, Babes?”

“Yeah.”

They stood and Rush pulled her into a hug. “You do know I love you, right?”

Even tinged with sadness, her smile made his heart skip a beat.

“Yeah, and you know I love you, too, right?”

“Is disco king? Hell yeah, I do.”

They were interrupted by a uniformed officer. One Mark and Charlie obviously knew. “Miss Winston, Mr. Sampson, I’m officer Bailey, and if you’re up to giving a statement, I think we can get this wrapped up so you both can return home soon. Is there a place we can sit away from. . .the investigation?” Officer Bailey’s eyes shifted back to where they were examining Dale’s body.

“Sure, follow me.” Tatum took Rush’s hand in a tight grip and they made their way to a family seating area, one he assumed her father used to speak with the grieving families. He’d learned a lot about the man through the eyes of his daughter, and it saddened him that they’d never meet. Rush sent a silent message up to Richard Winston as they sat. I will love and cherish her in the way she deserves. A way you’d approve of.

“Miss Winston, we have most of the information we need, I’d just like your account of what happened from the time you arrived on the property until the time we did.”

Rush listened to every syllable as she described finding her family home ransacked, to discovering her dad’s suspicions, to Dale catching her by surprise in the office. Rush studied every aspect of the pictures she retrieved from her pocket as she was handing them to the officer and explaining her dad’s writings.

His blood boiled as she described Dale’s state and her fear. If Dale wasn’t lying in the back room in a pool of his own blood, Rush would kill him all over again. “That’s when Rush, Mr. Sampson, came into the room. Dale demanded he drop his weapon, which he did. Then the next thing I know, there was a gun shot and Rush had me in his arms.”

“Do you have anything to add Mr. Sampson?” Rush had a lot to add, but the officer didn’t need that information. Stick to the bare minimum and get the hell out of Dodge. He was itching to take Tatum back home, and yes, it was home when she was there, and hear her say those words while he was buried in her body.

“Nope.” Rush stood, grabbing Tatum’s hand, interlacing their fingers and pulling her to her feet. Officer Baily took the cue and stood, extending his card. “If you think of anything else, please let me know.” He dipped his head and stepped away.

Rush turned to Tatum and wrapped her in his arms. It felt comforting having her in his embrace and knowing Dale wouldn’t be threatening her ever again. Cyrus was still out there, but Mark had a plan for him. That wasn’t a concern for Tatum. Cyrus already “found” the original will, stating the other hadn’t been properly handled by an oversight, making it null and void and reverting back to the original. Yeah, they all knew it was bullshit, but he’ll get his.

She officially had her life back, and Rush prayed like hell she wanted him in it.

“You ready to head home?”

“Home.” It was a simple word, not phrased like a question, but more like she was trying to taste it.

Mark approached, jingling keys. “Here.” He handed them to Rush. “I’ll grab your bike, saw it down the way, and have Charlie follow me. I’ll drop it off shortly. You get Julia here home, she’s had a big day.”

Rush took the keys, nodded at his friend, and exited the funeral home.

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