Scene of the Crime
Author
Sharon Dunn
Reads
16.3K
Chapters
1
EPILOGUE
The next day, Jackson waited at headquarters for Darcy to come by. As soon as Chloe had been taken into custody, Reuben had pled guilty and turned on her. Numerous charges, including attempted murder, had been filed against the woman. Both offenders were going to be locked up for a long time.
Jackson felt both tense and excited for what he had planned when Darcy arrived in about an hour. He was still on duty, so she’d agreed to meet him, thinking they were going to walk to Sal’s for lunch. He had something much bigger planned. He’d bought a scarf for Darcy that looked like something she would wear, all bright and colorful. He looked down to where his K-9 sat at his feet. The scarf looked good tied around Smokey’s neck.
Penny McGregor sat behind the front desk, tapping away on her keyboard.
She lifted her hands from the keyboard. Jackson looked over at her. Her face had drained of color. On a pale-skinned redhead, it made her look almost like she was coming down with the flu.
Jackson sensed the shift in mood. “Everything okay?” He stepped toward her.
She rested her hand on her chest. “I just got a threatening email. The source is anonymous, but since we know Randall Gage killed my parents, it must be from him.”
Jackson knew some of the K-9 Unit was actively searching for Gage, whose DNA had been found at the crime scene. It had taken twenty years to get that DNA, but now that they knew the killer’s identity, he was still eluding justice. They had to find Randall Gage.
Several other members of the team, including Bradley, Penelope’s brother, had just entered the reception area.
“What is it, Penny?” Bradley asked. “What does it say?”
She read from the screen. “‘It was a mistake to let you live...you first, then your brother.’”
A tense silence invaded the room.
Gavin, who had been among the team members to enter the reception area, spoke up. “I don’t want either of you to worry. We’re going to catch Randall Gage.”
“I know you will,” Penny said. She glanced nervously over at her brother before returning to work.
“Forward that email to me,” Gavin said. “We might be able to figure out where it originated from.”
“I’ll do that.” Penny’s jaw tightened. She was still clearly upset.
Bradley walked over to her and patted her shoulder. “We will catch him.” Jackson caught the promise in the detective’s expression before he disappeared down a hallway along with the other officers.
Jackson offered her a reassuring nod. “We’ll make sure he is put behind bars.”
“I know everybody has my back and Bradley’s,” Penny said. “That doesn’t mean messages like this don’t make me afraid.”
“Understood,” Jackson said.
The unit got back to work. Threats, even those that hit very close to home, were unfortunately a routine part of their day as law-enforcement officers. They would get Randall Gage—and the killer of Lucy Emery’s parents. Jackson had no doubt.
His phone dinged. Finally. It was a text from Darcy saying she was two minutes away. Jackson thought it best to meet her outside. He wanted the moment to be somewhat private.
He stepped outside with Smokey just as Darcy got out of a taxi. She waved at him.
“This is it, buddy,” Jackson said.
Smokey wagged his tail.
Darcy came toward him. Her eyes were bright and clear. “It’s good to be back at work.”
“Yeah, now life can get back to normal for both of us.” Though he managed to look and sound calm, Jackson’s heart was pounding.
Darcy looked over at Smokey. “Nice scarf.”
“Actually, it’s for you. Smokey just wanted to try it on.”
She laughed.
“Go ahead. Let’s see how it looks on you.”
She knelt to untie the scarf.
Jackson had twisted it to hide the surprise inside. He waited in anticipation as Darcy flattened the scarf. A ring fell on the concrete.
Darcy stared at it for a long moment before picking it up. “What’s this?”
Jackson got down on his knee, took the ring and held it up. “Darcy, I love being your friend, but I would like to be your best friend for the rest of your life. Will you marry me?”
Darcy let out a light breath. “Oh, Jackson. Yes, I will marry you.”
He placed the engagement ring on her finger as she looked into his eyes.
Smokey licked her cheek and they both laughed.
Jackson rose and held his hands out to her. She stood. The look of love in her eyes warmed his heart. He leaned in and kissed her.
Behind him, the entire K-9 Unit broke into applause.
Penny smiled. “I saw what was going on out the window and called the team over. When it was clear she said yes, we came outside. I’m glad something good like this happened today.”
Considering the threatening email Penelope had received an hour ago, the gesture of support touched his heart.
Jackson spoke to Darcy. “Sorry, I wanted it to be a little more private.”
“It’s okay. They are sort like family anyway,” Darcy said.
He gathered her into his arms and joy filled his heart. Smokey let out a little bark of approval and sat at their feet looking up at them.
Look for Tyler Walker and Penelope MacGregor’s story, Cold Case Pursuit, by Dana Mentink, the next book in the True Blue K-9 Unit: Brooklyn series, available in October 2020.
True Blue K-9 Unit: BrooklynThese police officers fight for justice with the help of their brave canine partners.
Copycat Killer by Laura Scott, April 2020
Chasing Secrets by Heather Woodhaven, May 2020
Deadly Connection by Lenora Worth, June 2020
Explosive Situation by Terri Reed, July 2020
Tracking a Kidnapper by Valerie Hansen, August 2020
Scene of the Crime by Sharon Dunn, September 2020
Cold Case Pursuit by Dana Mentink, October 2020
Delayed Justice by Shirlee McCoy, November 2020
True Blue K-9 Unit: Brooklyn Christmas by Laura Scott and Maggie K. Black, December 2020
Keep reading for an excerpt from Covert Cover-Up by Elizabeth Goddard.
