Page 79 of Lana

Graham was lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling, when Mitch unlocked the cell door. “Ready to go home?” he asked with a smile.

Graham sat up, his eyebrows raised. He did a double-take when he looked at Mitch. “What did I miss? You look like hell.”

Mitch chuckled. “I feel like it too. Come on, I’ll give you a ride and tell you all about it.”

Graham didn’t need to be told twice.

He stood and walked from the cell with a sense of peace that was almost visible. He sighed as they exited the police station and walked out into the cool night breeze.

“Wow, that feels good,” Graham said, tipping his head back, inhaling deeply.

Mitch unlocked the patrol car and slid into the driver’s seat. Once Graham was in the passenger seat Mitch turned on the ignition and lowered his foot on the accelerator.

“So, what happened?” Graham asked before Mitch had veered onto the road.

Mitch recounted the events of the evening.

Graham was oddly quiet, then he asked, “Do you think Ellen was forced to write that note?”

Mitch stole a sideways glance at him. He didn’t know the answer to that question, but if he had to hazard a guess, he would’ve said yes. Mitch agreed with Zoe’s assumption that Ellen had probably been eliminated because of something she’d seen. So he said what was most likely the truth and what Graham wanted to hear, because unless Peter admitted to it, they would never know.

“Yes,” Mitch said as Graham’s eyes welled.

“I spent so much time resenting her...” His voice cracked.

Mitch had always thought it was weird that she’d run off with a lover, but then, you never really knew what was going on behind closed doors.

“I’m sorry, Graham,” he said gently.

“I’m going to burn that shed down,” Graham said with a deep voice.

Mitch nodded. “Just wait until I give you the all clear. At the moment it’s still a crime scene and I’d prefer the fire brigade to be onsite when you light it up. I don’t need half of Redwater burning to the ground.”

Graham nodded. “I’ll wait for your instructions,” he said, then turned to Mitch. “Can Ellen be released to me? Can I bury her?” His eyes welled.

“You can. It might take a few more days, but I’ll make sure she comes home to you,” Mitch said.

Graham exhaled a shaky breath. “You know, I’m proud of you, Mitch. I haven’t enjoyed my time in your cell, but I respect you for doing your job and doing it well. I’m sorry if I was a grumpy old bastard.”

Mitch chuckled, a smile turning up the corner of his lips. “I was half expecting you to sock me. I wouldn’t have entirely blamed you for it.”

Graham chuckled. “It did cross my mind.”

Mitch laughed as he pulled up at the front of Graham’s house.

“Does this clear Thomas from the investigation now?” Graham asked.

Mitch chose his words carefully. “It clears him from the murder investigation, yes. But there’s still some things we need to talk to him about, which I can’t discuss with you.”

Sadness crept into Graham’s eyes, but he gave a resigned nod.

“Are you going to be okay?” Mitch asked. “Do you need anything?”

Graham grinned. “I’m going to be fine. A hot shower, a glass of scotch, and my own bed. I don’t think I’ll ever take the simple pleasures of life—of freedom—for granted again.” He extended his hand and Mitch shook it.

He watched Graham walk up the porch steps and let himself inside.

Thank you, Lord.

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