Page 54 of The Night Ride
“That’s much appreciated.I’m sure everyone at the station will love them.”The detective said.
I led them back to the accounting room where I showed them the discrepancies.His partner went through the tills and deposits with the accounting totals from the computers to make sure it had been accurate.Once he checked and verified that the numbers were correct, then we showed him the video.
“Did all your employees work today?”Detective Garrison inquired.
“Yep.Every single one.”
“We’d like the footage from the last twenty-four hours for us to review.If she contacts you or comes in tomorrow, just call us and we will handle it.”
“You think it will take that long to arrest her?”
“Nope.After seeing this, we have sufficient evidence to pick her up this evening.We’re just advising that should she contact you between now and then, for you to avoid her as much as possible.Just call us and we’ll handle everything from there.”
“Got it.”
The detectives left with the evidence and goodies.Aiden was there, pulling me into his arms.“Why don’t we get you home?”
“I can drive.”
“I know you can.And you will in a bit.Up for a ride?”He held up his helmet.“It always helps me blow off steam.When we’re done, we can come back and pick up your car or I can drive you here in the morning.”
How did he know I needed to blow off steam?I shouldn’t even ask the question.He seemed to pick up on my every thought and mood.
“Let’s go.”I tossed caution to the wind.For once in my life, I wasn’t going to worry about my responsibilities and what I should do, nothing but spending time with Aiden.
And I’d never ridden on a motorcycle before.I could add it to the list of things I’d experienced with the man I’d been in love with since I was fifteen.
Chapter eighteen
Thesunwasbeginningto set as we drove north along Interstate 270 to Interstate 70 west before getting off at Highway 141 and taking that south.The wind rushed over us.The hum of the motor vibrated through my body.And I felt every inch of Aiden plastered to his muscular back, my arms around his waist.
He was right.This was just what I needed.
He merged onto Interstate 44 heading east.It was part of the original Route 66 back in the day.It was a fun highway to drive as we headed back toward Kirkwood and my bakery.If we headed in the opposite direction west toward Springfield, Missouri, not too far outside of Branson was a little town by the name of Uranus.And there they had a fudge shop called Uranus Fudge Factory.The fudge was amazing as was their humorous take on it.Nothing like walking through the door of a fudge shop, the scent of yummy fudgy chocolate in the air.Only to have the workers greet you with, “Welcome to Uranus.”And it’s not the word per se, but the emphasis they placed on certain syllables that made it sound as if they were welcoming you to your anus.
It made me chuckle any time I thought about the slogan.
By the time we made it back to my bakery and then to my house, I had a message from the detective letting me know that Tracy had been arrested for theft and embezzlement given the size of the missing funds.Thank god for that forensic accountant and for Aiden.Between the two, they had uncovered the person behind it all.
“They charge her?”
“They did.”I looked at him as I made grilled cheese and tomato soup for dinner.I figured something simple, and hardy would work for dinner.
But his eyes said it all.He was leaving.Now that I was safe.He felt his mission, at least this part of it, was complete.I knew it was coming, and it was still a shock.I wasn’t ready for him to go, but didn’t have any say in it.
“When?”I cleared my suddenly clogged throat.And gave him a smile I didn’t feel.When he left, he’d be taking my heart with him.It had always been his from the moment we met.I didn’t regret this time with him.I just wished things were different and that for once, someone I loved would choose me.
“Tomorrow.If I’m going to be able to make it to San Diego and finish out the mission with Lucas and Wyatt, I must go.”
“You don’t think you can stay with me until you have to return to base?”I asked, even knowing it was a long shot, but I had to try.
“Beth, I vowed to do this last mission for Evan.”
“So did Ben and James but they haven’t rejoined the group.”I hated the hope inside me, that he would see the light and remain.
But in his eyes was the stubborn, hardened soldier, that couldn’t be reasoned with, not when it was what he lived for.“I understand your confusion, but I need to uphold the oath I swore and finish this task.I’ve already broken so many oaths I swore to your brother.What kind of man would it make me if I broke another?”
“A human one.”But by the rigid set of his body, I knew he wouldn’t budge.As much as I wanted him to stay, as much as I loved him, I had to let him be who he was and accept what he was willing to give.If all I had left with him was tonight, I didn’t want to do it fighting.I would appreciate the time we did have together, even though my heart was breaking.
