Page 67 of Inherited Light
“And you’re confident you’ve got the right person in custody?” I asked. “I know Gretchen and she doesn’t seem the type to kill someone.”
“If I had a dime for every time someone told me that about a murderer I’d be rich, Lorenzo. She’s denying it, of course, but we have solid evidence and no alibi.”
I scratched my chin as I listened. “Why my toolbox, though?” I asked. “Why did she go to all the work of stealing from me to obtain the murder weapon?”
“She set you and Cat up. She wanted one of you to take the fall for his death. Since you were the last person Xavier threatened, it made sense to stalk you, get something of yours to use, and then pin the whole thing on you.”
“She’s not the brightest bulb if it that’s true. Why would she kill him on the night she knocked us out? We could have a solid alibi if the hospital had kept us overnight.”
“From what we gather, she didn’t plan to do it the same night. She had a run in with him at a bar shortly before she killed him. She made advances and he called her unattractive names. She didn’t take it well from what the witnesses tell me. We have a strong case against her and I’m confident she’s our killer.”
“I’m so relieved,” Cat said. “Thank you, Noah.”
“Just doing my job,” he insisted. “I’ll keep you in the loop. You’ll have to testify when her case goes to court, but for today enjoy being free again.”
“We will,” I promised. “Thanks again for letting us know.”
We said our goodbyes and hung up. I grabbed her and hugged her to me. “No more bodyguard. We’re free,” I said, kissing her neck.
“I’m so relieved right now I could cry,” she said happily.
I ran my thumb under her eye as I smiled. “How about we share this feeling of elation without tears, but rather with kisses?”
She lifted her face to mine. “Mmmmm, sounds like the best plan you’ve had since last night.”
I crushed my lips to hers and she moaned again. The sound set me on fire and before I could think, I pulled her onto my lap and plunged inside her. Holding her steady over me, I sucked one nipple into my mouth as she arched against me.
I thrust upward, her cries of pleasure driving me to the brink. I crushed her to my chest and kissed her breast, sucking deeply on the tender skin. “Forever, Cat. Do you hear me? Forever,” I cried as she released around me. The light exploded behind my eyes and I followed her straight to heaven.
I checked my watch as I paced near Cat’s booth. Her drawings of local dogs from the park had drawn a tremendous crowd of those seeking a familiar face of their own furry friend. When one would find their pooch immortalized in Cat’s image, they clapped with glee and instantly put in a bid for the drawing. What originally started out as a small silent auction offering, had quickly become the most popular booth of all. It was so popular, in fact, she and Foster had conferred and decided instead of auctioning them in one big lot they should auction each individual image. Then those who had a dog amongst the group drawings could bid to get just their dog. It was working because her booth hadn’t slowed all day.
In a few minutes, the winners of the auction would be announced and then we could leave. The hot June sun beat down on us and it was starting to wear me out. I still wanted to pack up my apartment and get some of the items moved to Cat’s, so Tabitha could start moving in. I have no reservations anymore about taking the plunge and moving in with Cat. She’s become a completely different woman this past week. She’s sexy and confident both in bed and out. She holds herself differently in her wheelchair and doesn’t shy away from situations she might otherwise try to avoid.
As the booth dwindled down to no one, and everyone was near the stage, they began announcing winners, so I grabbed hold of her wheelchair to hold her in place.
“You’re a rock star,” I said, bowing ever so much.
She grasped my forearms and stretched up for a kiss. “I don’t know about rock star, but the crowd today took me by surprise. I didn’t expect such an overwhelming positive reaction to my drawings. I had to take down the number of at least a dozen people who want me to do a portrait of their dog. I can hardly believe it.”
I kissed her and rocked her chair a little bit. “Believe it. Look at how thrilledmamáand dad were to get the drawing of Annabelle from you. My dad is still carrying it around showing everyone. He’s telling people his son’s girlfriend drew it. You certainly won him over, and that’s not easy to do.”
The smile on her face was bright and happy. “I couldn’t believe it when Marguerite teared up. I apologized for making her cry, but I’m not sorry the drawing was spot on enough to evoke such emotion from her.”
I stroked her face. “You have an eye for the emotions of animals as well as humans. Not everyone has the ability to paint emotion into an image. Your medium may seem simplistic to you, but to those who don’t have that talent, it means everything to them you loved their dog enough to draw it.”
She bit her lip and nodded. “As an artist, I draw what catches my eye or heart, but I can see your point of view. I’ve been drawing dogs from the park since Buster loved playing there.”
I kissed her again and then motioned one of the volunteers from the shelter over. When she arrived, I pointed at the display behind us. “I need to go be with Foster as he announces the completion of the addition. Would you watch the display so Cat can come with me?”
“Of course,” Natalie said. “I know your big moment is coming.” She clapped her hands in excitement and I thanked her, then pushed Cat through the crowd of people gathered near the stage. I love how she lets me push her chair now without telling me twenty times she can do it herself. I know she can do it herself, but in a way, it’s like we’re holding hands when I push her chair. I shared with her how pushing her chair made me feel as if I was taking care of her, and giving her a chance to rest and enjoy the world around her without worry. She may never understand how it makes me feel, but for me, it meant everything.
I pushed her up the ramp to sit next to the line of chairs on the stage and sat in a seat next to hers, taking her hand in mine. Cinn waved and I grinned,Mamáand Dad sitting next to her. Tabitha made her way up to the stage as Foster finished explaining the benefits and features of Dalton’s Doggie Daycare then motioned me over.
“Most of you know Lorenzo Dalton already. He’s a hometown boy who loves coaching Little League and playing baseball in his off time. What you may not know about him is his skilled woodworking and business acumen. He single-handedly managed, and built, the daycare and salon these past months. I encourage all of you to come to the open house next Wednesday at six p.m. to see the full extent of his abilities.”
The crowd clapped and my face warmed from the joy, and the embarrassment, of the moment. I took the microphone as the crowd died down and fell silent again.
“Thank you, Foster. As many of you know, my family has been integral in the Little Ivywood Humane Society for years, first my grandmother Mabel, then again when my sister Cinn married the illustrious director, Foster Kern. When I sketched out the design on a notepad at a bar a year ago, I didn’t know I’d be standing here in front of you having implemented and completed my design. I’m proud of the daycare and salon for one simple reason. I know Mabel is watching us and pleased as punch her grandchildren were able to bring to fruition a project of such importance for her second home. My sister, Tabitha, spearheaded a fundraising campaign and all of you answered in short order.” I dug in my pocket and tugged out a key with a silver ribbon. I motioned for my family and Foster to come forward, noticing Cat remained near the row of chairs with her chair brakes still on.
