Cold Case Trail
Author
Sharee Stover
Reads
19.1K
Chapters
1
EPILOGUE
The stifling summer heat was unbearable, but Justine wouldn’t be anywhere else. She stood at a distance, watching as Trey and Magnum worked through the recertification exercises.
Anxiety oozed through her and she transitioned from biting her fingernails to worrying her lip, whispering, “Come on.”
They’d babied Magnum for the past two weeks, just for this day.
Eric, Sergeant Oliver and Slade stood to one side of Justine, Will on the other. As Magnum and Trey completed each section, the group shouted, “Yes!” and exchanged fist bumps.
But their enthusiasm didn’t compare to the boisterous Jackson clan, cheering behind them.
“One short break, then the final test,” Slade explained.
“They’re an amazing team.” She glanced up to see Fredrick Nolan approaching. “Hi there. What’re you doing here?”
“I heard this is where you and Trooper Jackson were today.”
“We’ll give you some privacy.” Eric ushered Slade toward the Jackson group and said, “Introduce me to your younger sister.”
“No way.” Slade laughed, shaking his head.
Fredrick gazed out at the course. “I wanted to say thank-you.”
“I’m glad everything worked out.”
“Took a little bit for me to accept Susan and Alex betrayed me. Worse, I didn’t want to believe they were responsible for Kayla’s death.”
Justine faced him, compassion warming her heart. “I’m so sorry.”
“My new attorney says Susan will be forced to repay the life insurance money.”
“The Slayer Rule,” Justine interpreted.
“Such an appropriate name for it, don’t you think?” Sadness filled Fredrick’s eyes. “The money was withdrawn in cash portions, making it untraceable. We’re guessing she used it to pay off those she’d recruited to support her quest to stop Kayla and the investigation.”
Though Justine and Trey suspected Laslo Drazin was one of those people, there was no paper trail to prove it.
“But that’s not why I came. Kayla loved life. She wanted everyone to be happy and joyful. She brought sparkle to everything she did. I miss that most about her.”
Justine nodded, emotion thickening her throat.
“She would be happy for you and Trooper Jackson.”
Justine startled. “Beg your pardon?”
“Miss Stark, I’m an old man but not a blind one. Trooper Jackson is in love with you. Don’t waste a second denying your heart.”
Tears filled Justine’s eyes at the familiar saying. “Kayla said that all the time.”
“Yes, she did. And it was good advice.” He winked. “I also came to deliver this.” He passed an envelope to Justine.
She startled at the whistle. “They’re beginning again.” They focused on Trey and Magnum’s final part of the course.
The pair eased through the last portion, finishing before the allotted time.
“They did it!” Justine jumped to her feet.
Raucous yelling from the Jackson crew drowned out her cheers, and Fredrick laughed.
Trey stopped to praise Magnum and rushed to Justine. “We’re back in the game!”
“Outstanding!” Justine lunged into his arms. Then, remembering Fredrick beside her, she released her hold. “Look who came to support you.”
“Mr. Nolan, it’s good to see you.”
“Fredrick, please.” He knelt and petted Magnum. “You all were amazing out there.”
“It’s all Magnum. I just hold the leash.” Trey beamed.
“He is a beautiful creature.”
Magnum did the adorable smile that tugged at Justine’s heart. She looked down at the envelope. “Fredrick brought this.”
“Yes, please open it.”
Justine unsealed the envelope and gasped at the amount written on the first check made out to the victims’ advocacy center. “Sir, this is very generous.”
Fredrick bowed his head, hands in his pants pockets. “I can’t bring back my daughter, but I can help others in her memory so women facing stalkers or trouble might have the resources they need. The resources I should’ve encouraged Kayla to take part in.”
“I’m sure they’ll be very grateful,” Trey said.
Tears filled Justine’s eyes.
She froze at the sight of the second check made out to her. “Sir. I can’t. It’s too much. I can’t—”
Fredrick lifted a hand. “Miss Stark, after Trooper Jackson told me about Susan and Alex’s horrendous efforts to silence you and the extensive damage they caused your ranch, I could not turn a blind eye. Please accept the money. In Kayla’s memory. I’d be hurt if you refused.”
Justine nodded and bit her quivering lip. “Thank you.”
He grinned brightly. “You all have a good day.” He turned and walked away, happiness in his step.
“The suspense is killing me,” Trey said.
Justine showed him the check, and his eyes widened. “I’ve never seen that many zeros before a decimal point.”
“It’s more than enough to fix my house, the barn and pay Will two years’ full-time salary!”
Trey pulled her into his arms. “That’s fantastic. Now that Mags and I are finished with the recert, I have one important thing to take care of.”
“Oh, yeah? What’s that?”
Trey released his hold and withdrew a box from his tactical vest.
Justine gasped as he opened it to reveal an antique diamond ring.
“It was my great-grandmother’s. She and my great-grandfather were married seventy years.” He dropped to a knee and everything went silent around Justine. “Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Justine couldn’t speak over the lump in her throat, so she nodded her head vigorously instead.
“Is that a yes?” one of his sisters called from behind them.
“Yes!” Justine finally found her voice.
Trey embraced her and she melted into him.
Whoops and hollers cut the kiss short as the Jackson clan, Will, Sergeant Oliver and Eric surrounded them, enfolding Trey and Justine into the family she’d always longed for.
Keep reading for an excerpt from Texas Ranch Sabotage by Liz Shoaf.
