Rear-View Murder: A Gemma Stone Cozy Mystery (13 page)

“So he knows how insulin works.”

The detective continued. “After that, he panicked again and ended up at the long-term parking garage at the airport. He found a car...”

“My blue Honda.”

“Pried open the trunk with the crow bar and hid her body under the coats and blankets in there. The security camera at the airport captured it all. Who knows how long it was before the car was repossessed and then left sitting on the bank parking lot. And then sold at auction to...”

“My brother-in-law,” Nick said. “Who couldn’t get the trunk open, assumed it was empty and sold it to Gemma.”

“Crazy, huh?” Detective Patterson said, shaking his head.

“And if I hadn’t found the ring, we might not ever have known what happened to her,” Gemma added.

“All I know, is if you ever need a job as a detective, I think we can find a place for you here in Richmond.”

Gemma was already shaking her head. “No way. I never, ever want to go through this again.”

Holly and Mitch returned to the room and the detective left after reassuring himself that both of them were doing well.

“The doctor just told us he’s going to release you right away,” Holly told her.

“Good. I’m ready to get out of here,” Gemma said, happy to see a nurse right behind them who came in to remove her IV.

“It’ll be good to get home,” Holly said.

“I have one quick stop to make before we get home, though,” Gemma told her.

“The senator is going to be fine,” Holly told her.

Gemma shook her head. “Not him.”

“Well, you’re not going to see Miller,” Nick said.

Gemma just smiled.

T
he farm house where Opal grew up looked the same when Gemma and Holly walked toward the porch. Opal’s sister stood at the top of the steps, smiling at them tentatively.

“I just wanted to give Opal’s ring to you,” Gemma said, pressing the small box into her hand. “And to check on you and your family.”

“Thank you,” Natalie said, smiling through tears. She clutched the small box to her chest. “Makes me feel like I have a part of her with me. We didn’t always get along but I loved her.”

Holly was the closest thing Gemma had to a sister but she understood.

“My folks asked me to thank you for finding out who killed my sister. He’s already confessed to the whole thing and, thankfully, there won’t be a trial.”

“I know how it feels to lose a part of your family. Feels like the family has been torn apart. I thought maybe if I brought her killer to justice it would help yours to heal,” Gemma explained.

Natalie shook her head. Her long, straight blonde hair shimmering in the sun.

“Our family was torn apart before Opal died,” she began. “She was always the wild child. My parents were either trying to find her or save her or something and I was left to fend for myself. They couldn’t go to my high school graduation because they were looking for her.”

“I’m sorry,” Gemma said, slowly understanding.

“This ring won’t fix it. We’ll never be a whole family again. All we can do is pick up the pieces and move on,” Natalie told her, sounding wise for her years.

“You’re right,” Gemma said, giving her a quick hug.

“We do appreciate everything you’ve done for us,” Natalie said.

“Let’s go home,” Holly said after a moment of silence.

They were back in her SUV, the farm house fading from sight. Gemma noted that Natalie was still standing on the porch alone. “I feel so bad for her.”

“Don’t. She’s a strong girl. She’ll be fine.”

They were silent as Holly moved onto the interstate.

“What about you?” Holly asked. “Are you going to be okay?”

“Yeah. You know Oprah Winfrey is right about life being a master class. We’re all teachers and we’re all students,” Gemma mused.

“I agree.”

“Anyway, our next adventure shouldn’t be nearly as dangerous.”

“What adventure?” Holly asked, glancing at Gemma briefly.

“HealthGems. The kiosk at the mall. Christmas. Remember?” Gemma reminded her.

“Oh, yeah.”

“I mean, what could possibly happen?”