Page 80 of Final Escape
“And he was escalating into sabotaging the rafting business when Billy turned up and caught him lurking around the Bradley place more than once. Apparently Billy got pretty aggressive—demanding money for silence, and Vance had to get him out of the way.”
Her eyes widened. “Billy did come here after money in the first place. And once he got here, he tried telling me he had information that he would share for a price. So you’re probably right.”
“Munson had the perfect setup just fall in his lap. He got rid of a dangerous witness. Killed Billy close to where you live, which then clouded the case and made it look like you and Logan were responsible. Logan’s legal history and proximity added an even better cover. Munson was probably elated at finding such a perfect way to pin the murder on someone else and get away with it.”
“So Munson did take my shotgun,” Carrie said faintly. “He broke into my apartment and took it. If I’d been there, sleeping...”
“The BCI is dragging the Wolf River for it right now, a half mile upstream.” The sheriff’s voice lowered to a respectful tone. “And by the way, ma’am, the county morgue has released your ex-husband’s remains. Unless you feel differently, his relatives in West Texas requested that he be cremated, and that the remains be sent back to them.”
“I hadn’t even thought...” She swallowed hard. “Of course. It’s their right to choose what to do.”
The sheriff looked at his watch. “We’ve got a meeting with the BCI investigators and need to get back. We just wanted to give you an update, but if you can come in this afternoon to give your statements, we’d appreciate it.”
Logan nodded.
The sheriff cleared his throat. “And by the way, we regret the charges last year. We were operating on the basis of evidence, but now it’s clear that our own deputy falsified that evidence. You’ll eventually see articles in the paper about all of this, and we certainly won’t sidestep the truth.”
The sheriff and Rick strode to the cruiser. Rick climbed into the passenger seat, but Tyler lingered at his open door, then looked back at Carrie. “I hear you’re moving. I hope you’ll change your mind—we need good people in this town.”
Carrie offered him a sad smile. “I don’t believe I still have a job. And even if I did, I’m not sure the principal and I see eye to eye.”
“Hmph. I’m sure that’s Ed’s fault, not yours.” He winked at her. “But maybe you could just last him out. I know for a fact that the old goat plans to retire at the end of next year.”
Her smile faltered. “I still think it’s time for me to go. But thanks for the thought. You’ve been more than kind.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
The last Saturday morningof August dawned bright, clear and cool, a perfect day for a wedding. The small group of friends and relatives were gathering up in a wildflower-strewn meadow at the ranch, with a row of saddle horses and horses with buggies tied up along the trees.
A perfect day. A perfect couple. Trace and Kris were clearly so in love, so excited about this day. They both radiated such joy that everyone around them seemed to glow as well.
Carrie lingered by the gray mare she’d driven up from the ranch, listening to the laughter. Feeling such happiness for them both...and a touch of melancholy, too.
The past two months back at Trace’s ranch had been idyllic. Fulfilling. She’d gotten back on the district substitute teacher list for the fall. She’d promised to teach second-grade Sunday school starting in two weeks. Helping Kris and Trace get ready for this day had been delightful.
But despite how everything had ended back in Granite Falls, she still couldn’t get that last glimpse of Logan and Penny out of her thoughts.
