A Moment To Remember
Halloween decorations exploded everywhere in Phail.
Witches and ghosts topped the colorful flower pots that were surrounded by pumpkins and gourds.
The No Fail Diner sported a sign announcing pumpkin spice cinnamon rolls and spider tacos.
The Saloon’s sign promoted ghost pepper sliders and mummy hotdogs.
An inflatable pumpkin patch sat in Phail Way Park, while giant spiders covered the kids’ climbing wall.
It made Esme smile even as Wyatt parked in the lot closest to Phail Jail. After he shut off the engine, Wyatt turned to her. “How are you feeling?” His eyes showed his genuine concern.
“I’m nervous about seeing them again, even though I know we’re safe.”
Wyatt nodded. “I know Marcus used to work out of the room that’s now Phail Central.
The only cell he had was in his office. He’s got more space here, and the cells are probably hidden from the public spaces.
I don’t think we’ll have to see any of them if you don’t want to.
If you’re uncomfortable, we can talk to Marcus somewhere else. ”
She nodded, appreciating his understanding and hoping he was right. “Okay, let’s get it over with.”
Once they were on the sidewalk, Wyatt took her hand, reminding her she wasn’t alone. Together, they could handle anything.
Once inside, she saw Wyatt was correct. Despite being in such a small town, the station was large enough that the interior was separated into several sections.
No cells were in sight, so they wouldn’t have Lacy, the reaper, or Tristan Downey watching over their shoulders as they gave their statements.
A black cat sat on the front counter, watching them as if guarding the station.
Marcus entered the room from the back, talking with a different deputy than the one from the previous evening.
Marcus smiled at them. “Thanks for coming in. Come on into my office. You didn’t bring Gomez with you?”
Esme shook her head. “He’s hanging out with Bibi, Lawson, and Dani this morning.”
Marcus nodded. “I’m sorry I didn’t mention that he’d be welcome. We’re a pet-friendly station. In fact, Finch is probably in my office. That’s his favorite spot for morning naps.”
Sure enough, the Great Dane snoozed on a huge dog bed in the office with a grey and white cat resting on his giant paws. The dog blinked at them when they entered. He started to rise, but remembered the cat, so he lay back with a heavy sigh.
Esme walked over to pat the dog. “Hi Finch. I’m glad to see you again. You’re a good friend to your buddy here.”
Marcus closed the door behind him, and she and Wyatt sat in front of the chief’s desk. Wyatt squeezed her hand. “Better?”
She nodded. “Much. I worried because it’s such a small town that we’d have to talk in front of either Lacy or Downey. This is better.”
Marcus nodded. “I used to use Troy’s office for privacy before we moved into this building. It’s so much better having a separate space for the cells. Unfortunately, we only have two of them. After we got as much out of Braydon Baxter as we could, a deputy drove him to Montpelier.”
“Is that the man who grabbed me?”
Marcus nodded. “He’s got a mile-long record as a bruiser for hire.
I figured it was more important to keep Johnson and Downey here, although if we need to talk to Baxter, it’s easy to do a video call.
With his priors, he’s facing some serious jail time, so you don’t have to worry about him returning.
In an attempt to get a lighter sentence, he showed us texts from Johnson detailing who she wanted him to hurt. ”
Esme and Wyatt exchanged a glance. “She hired him through texts?”
Marcus nodded. “It’s not from her usual phone account, but we found the burner phone in her pocket, and Baxter identified her as the woman who hired him.”
Esme shuddered, and Wyatt rubbed her shoulder. She smiled at him before turning back to Marcus. “What did the texts say?”
Marcus grimaced. “In the texts, she said she required assistance solving a problem. She needed someone strong who didn’t mind traveling, improvising, or physical work. That’s code for hurting someone.”
Wyatt squeezed her hand. “She didn’t hire him near here?”
Marcus smiled slightly. “No. Back in LA. She paid for both their flights and the rental car from Burlington.”
The two men grinned at each other, but Esme wasn’t sure why. “I’m confused. Why does that make you happy?”
The cat appeared and jumped onto the desk, settling in a basket where Marcus kept papers. He didn’t bother shooing the cat out. Instead, he rubbed her fur. “This is Scout’s favorite spot. I’ve resorted to keeping fake papers in there so she’ll leave the real stuff alone.”
Finch also crossed the room and sat beside Esme. When she patted his head, he set it in her lap with a happy sigh.
Marcus continued. “It’s good news for a few reasons.
Paper and money trails are excellent evidence.
The crime also crossed state lines, so we can bring in the FBI.
They have more resources than we do. Shanice Williams, the lead agent from the nearest FBI unit, is on her way with a couple of agents.
They’ll take custody of Johnson after we get everything sorted here. ”
Esme patted Finch’s head. “Is that a good thing?”
Marcus grinned again. “For us, definitely. For Johnson, not so much. I’ve worked with Shanice several times, and she’s a top-notch agent.
There’s no way Johnson will wiggle out of any charges.
Baxter didn’t delete the texts from the same number a year ago, a few days before you were attacked in LA.
In those, she said she had a problem and required someone who enjoyed working with knives.
They’re both going to be in jail for a long time. ”
Relief washed over Esme, and she had to battle back tears. Wyatt lifted her hand to kiss it. “It’s really over, Esme.”
She blinked back tears as she smiled. “It is.” Now she could focus on building a life here on the apple farm with a man she loved more than she’d believed possible. Just one more person to discuss. “What about Tristan Downey?”
Marcus shrugged. “He’s violated restraining and no-trespass orders.
He’s also taken pictures of an assault without attempting to help or get help.
Those charges won’t bring as much jail time as he deserves, but he won’t be squirming his way out of it the way he thinks he will.
I’ve also added a stalking charge that I think will stick this time. ”
Wyatt growled. “What about the pictures he claimed to have?”
Marcus tapped a few keys on his computer and turned the monitor their way. “He wasn’t lying. His camera takes excellent pictures in the dark without needing a flash that would give away his presence.”
Esme nodded. “Most paparazzi cameras cost a small fortune.”
Marcus flipped through photos showing two figures in cloaks exiting a car parked along the side of the road. Lacy’s face was clear as Tristan had been on her side of the car, probably lurking in the bushes.
More photos showed the man holstering a gun and Lacy strapping two switchblade knives to her forearms.
When Esme shuddered, Wyatt’s arm tightened around her, and Finch whined until she patted his head again.
Marcus flipped a few more, showing the pair donning masks and entering the trees. “There are more showing the man grabbing you and the rest of the attack. I don’t think you need to see those, as you lived through it.”
She nodded, grateful she didn’t have to see it herself. “This is more evidence you can use.”
He nodded. “We cops always want more evidence, but I’m not sure that’s even possible in this case. We have more than enough to lock up Johnson and Baxter for years. Shanice should be able to convince them to plead guilty and save you from going through a trial.”
“I’ll do it if we have to.”
Marcus nodded. “Good.”
Wyatt sighed. “Downey’s going to use these photos to try to keep his ass out of jail, isn’t he?”
Marcus shrugged. “He’s trying his damnedest, but he’s facing more serious charges this time, especially after violating court orders.
He thinks his pictures provide crucial evidence, but thanks to Esme, we’ve got Johnson’s confession on video.
My deputy read Johnson her rights, so my recording of her will stand up in court. We don’t need his photographs.”
Esme considered her options for a moment.
“After what we’ve been through, one annoying photographer isn’t that big a deal, but I’m glad he’ll be locked away for a while.
Hopefully, he’s learned that getting pictures of me here in Vermont is more trouble than it’s worth.
I’m old news, so if he wants to keep earning paychecks, he’ll have to find someone in the spotlight.
And if he returns, we know we can handle him. ”
Wyatt’s thumb caressed her where it rested on her shoulder. “We can.”
She nodded. “I’m done hiding. It’s time to live my life without worrying about paparazzi.” Just saying the words aloud had stress lifting from her shoulders. She was free to live her life with Wyatt on the No Phailed Apples farm. Nothing had ever felt better.
When they left Phail Jail, Esme threw her arms around Wyatt and squeezed. He held her for a long moment, savoring the feel of her in his arms.
She leaned back and smiled at him. “It’s really over. I didn’t realize how much the worry weighed on me. I feel lighter than I have since Nans died.”
He kissed her forehead. “She’d be so proud of you.”
She nodded and leaned up to brush her lips lightly over his. “She’d be so happy that I’ve found my person and my place.”
A youthful voice interrupted the moment. “Hi Wyatt, hi Esme. Will you be at the farm tonight? Charlie invited me out to help him with the Halloween plans.”
They turned to find Owen and his dog, Flupps, beside them on the street.
Wyatt grinned at the boy. “We’ll be there. It’ll be a lot of fun.”