Chapter 26 #2
"Well, I'm sure you're ready to get out of Stonecross. Unless you want to spend more time getting to know your grandmother."
"I think I need a little distance and perspective before I come back to talk to Ellen, and I do want to come back and sit down and discuss everything under the sun. But I also need to speak to my father, too. I'm hoping I can get him to come back with me."
"I'm not certain you'll get a happy family reunion. Your grandmother kept his daughter from him, kept his first love from him. How does he forgive that?"
Finn made a good point. "Maybe he can't. And maybe I can't blame him for that. My grandmother played God, and that wasn't up to her. She should have given Lily and my father a chance to figure things out. That was wrong."
"Even if he can't forgive his mother, that doesn't mean you can't have a relationship with Ellen, if you want one."
"I'm still deciding on that. But I do want to have a relationship with Jessica, and I hope my father will, too."
"I can't imagine he wouldn't want to know his daughter."
"He's a complex person and often unpredictable. But whatever he decides won't affect me. I finally have a sister. I'm excited about that, and I'm looking forward to a time when she is safe enough to live her life."
"Hopefully, that will be soon." He stood up. "But just so you know, sometimes sisters can be a pain in the ass."
I laughed. "You love Sophie."
"I do, but sometimes she can be a pain in the ass."
I got to my feet. "You have a great family, Finn. You're lucky."
"I don't think I realized how lucky I was until I got to know yours."
"Just don't hold them against me."
"I won't. I like you, Cassidy. You're an amazing woman. Unlike anyone I've met before."
Our gazes clung for a long minute, and I knew I had to speak what was in my heart. "I like you, too, Finn. I don’t really want to say goodbye tomorrow."
"Then maybe we'll just say, ‘See you later'".
"That sounds perfect."
Finn dropped Ellen, Jessica and me off at the inn just before eleven p.m. on Thursday night. Tom had stayed in Pinehaven to assist in the investigation.
While Jessica wasn't sure returning to Stonecross was the best idea, neither Ellen nor I wanted to let her out of our sight until we knew she would be in safer hands than ours. On that one point, we were definitely in agreement.
Ray was waiting for us when we got back. He was going to sit in the hallway outside Ellen's apartment to keep watch over Ellen and Jessica. Tom had also assigned a deputy who would sit in front of the inn until morning.
Ellen invited me to stay in her apartment as well, saying she could make up the couch, but I decided to head upstairs.
I was exhausted and I knew I would sleep better in a bed.
But as I entered my room, I had to admit I still felt a little trepidation, and I didn't know why.
So, I locked the door and pushed the dresser in front of it. Some habits were hard to break.
Then I went into the bathroom and winced at my reflection.
I looked absolutely horrible. My left eye was swollen with a blue-black bruise that spread across my cheek to my nose.
I had more bruises on my neck and other cuts that were raised and red, bright against my pale skin.
My hair was tangled and there was even a small leaf stuck in the strands that apparently no one had noticed.
I took it out and thought about brushing my hair but decided against it.
Returning to my room, I set up my computer, light, and camera and then sat down at the desk and hit record. It was a little late to go live, but it didn't matter. The audience would catch up with me the next time they got on.
"Hello," I said. "Welcome to Mysteries Uncorked. I'm Cassidy Clarke, and for those of you who have been following my investigation into the disappearance of Natalie Warren, I have a lot to report."
I almost added Jessica's name, but until I knew she was safe, I would leave her story for another day.
In fact, I might just see if she wanted to film with me when everything was truly over for her.
Our listeners would probably go nuts if they could hear her story firsthand. But that was for another day.
Clearing my throat, I realized I'd just created an inadvertently long dramatic pause.
"Today I discovered that Natalie Warren is dead.
I wish I had a better, happier ending to her story, but I don't. I'm sure the news will be hitting the papers tomorrow, but I wanted to share my version.
Today, I came face-to-face with Natalie's killer, and after a terrifying battle, which you can tell by my face was not without injury, I managed to knock out her murderer with a couple of strikes from a heavy wrench.
I know you're waiting for a name, and I'm going to give you one.
Some might say that everyone is innocent until proven guilty, but this isn't a court of law, and I'm not a lawyer or a cop.
I'm just the person who heard his confession. "
I took another breath, then said, "Natalie's killer was Jeff Holloway, the brother of the sheriff, Tom Holloway.
Before you ask, no, I don't believe the sheriff had any knowledge of his brother's crimes.
I also believe those crimes extend back many years, and other women besides Natalie have lost their lives because of him.
I'm very happy that tonight Jeff Holloway is behind bars, and I pray that he stays there for the rest of his life. "
I could see the comments lighting up with shock, amazement, and concern for my physical injuries.
"I'm okay. I'm in a little pain. I'm shocked.
Exhausted. Exhilarated. So many emotions are coursing through me.
I spoke to Natalie's family today and gave them the news.
There are a lot of details to come in the future, and I can't go into all those tonight, but in the coming days and weeks, we'll get into all the twists and turns that led to this day.
I'll be back tomorrow with an additional recap. But for now, I'm signing off."
I shut everything down and leaned back in my chair, allowing myself to feel for the very first time a deep sense of satisfaction.
I'd actually done it. I'd solved the mystery of Natalie's disappearance.
I was a little shocked at that fact. Despite my optimism and determination, I had never been sure it would actually happen.
My phone buzzed. It was Morgan.
"Hi," I said. "I wasn't sure you were still up."
"We're both here," Morgan said as Tessa joined the group call. "We couldn't wait for you to do the podcast. It was great, by the way."
"I know it wasn't very long."
"It was perfect," Tessa said. "You gave them just enough detail to want more, and I'm sorry to say you looked like shit, but that made it so much more real."
"Happy to add to our authenticity," I said dryly.
"Are you really okay?" Morgan asked. "You downplayed your injuries when we were texting earlier."
"I'm starting to ache all over, but happy to be alive."
"You did it, Cassidy," Tessa said. "You found Natalie's killer, and you got him put away. It's unbelievable."
"I know. It feels surreal. But then I look in the mirror, and I know it was all too real."
"Where did Jessica end up?" Tessa asked.
"Downstairs with Ellen in her apartment. They invited me to sleep on the couch, but I think I need a bed tonight."
"Will she be safe there?" Morgan asked.
"Ray is standing guard. And Tom said that he'd have an officer in the parking lot tonight. They'll try to get some official protection for Jessica in the morning."
"And you have a sister," Tessa said. "Who would have thought?"
"Certainly not me."
"Have you spoken to your father?"
"Not yet. I'm going to need all my strength for that, and it's probably something I should do in person, so maybe in a few days."
"He might hear about you on the news."
"Maybe. If he does, I'll answer his call. But he doesn't pay much attention to anything but financial or sports news."
"The podcast is blowing up even at this late hour," Morgan commented. "What's your plan for the next one?"
"I think we should do it in New York with all three of us. Oh, by the way, Finn's friend, the one who flew us to Pinehaven in his helicopter, said he could take you and me to New York tomorrow, Tessa."
"Seriously? We don't have to drive?"
"Nope. Do you know when you're getting discharged?"
"The doctor said by ten a.m."
"I'll be at the hospital then, and we'll head back together. We should be home by dinnertime."
After we said our goodbyes, I couldn't drum up enough energy to change into pajamas. I just crawled under the covers and fell asleep, For the first time in almost a week, I wasn't worried about surviving the night or tomorrow…