Epilogue
SILVER
TWO YEARS LATER
Lucky’s Coffee Bar is packed to the walls with people. Half have come from the diner side to watch the large TV in the corner that’s broadcasting the national news. The only other time our small town made national headlines was because of a tornado. This is much more exciting.
It’s been nearly three weeks since the story first dropped, stunning the locals and causing an instant uproar in town. Regional and national news vans showed up within days, happily interviewing anyone who would talk about the Matheson’s and speculating on the scope of what they’ve allegedly done.
There’s been no sight of any member of the Matheson family as they hole up in their homes, avoiding public scrutiny and humiliation.
The fire marshal came into the diner a few days ago to pick up the breakfast he requested that I return to our menu, the bird’s nest. I know his name was in some of those documents, that he’s taken some bribes to look the other way.
I wonder if he’s one of the people who are working with the authorities and that’s why he hasn’t been mentioned publicly or arrested yet.
The rumor is that quite a few on the lower levels will be turning state’s evidence to avoid their own charges.
He gave me an amiable nod as he always does, like nothing unusual has happened.
Of course, no one knows I’m the one who sent the proof to the attorney general, state police, and the national news outlets.
I don’t have a grudge against him. He wasn’t wrong about the fire at my house. It was arson, it just wasn’t me.
The big moment of the arrests has finally come, and I make my way through the crowd to watch with the others.
“Hey boss, I got an iced mocha that’s going to be wasted.
You want?” Riley asks. He hands it over the counter to me when I nod.
Camille sidles up beside me with a wide smile, points the remote at the TV and cranks up the volume to get over the rising clamor.
The bright voice of the newscaster fills the room.
“Alleged corruption at the highest levels of Sunwood, Kentucky government has led to the arrest of three prominent members of the town. We first reported on this back in April when our station received evidence of a multitude of state and federal financial crimes including grant fraud, embezzlement, and bribery. The documents were sent anonymously, postmarked in a Florida town, and bore the warning, to be opened after my death.”
I thought that was a nice touch, if I do say so myself.
It doesn’t mean anything since they don’t know who the sender is that must’ve died, but coming from another state with that instruction should take any suspicion off me.
I had my brother drop it in the mail when he was on vacation.
Celia died in Florida a little over a year ago.
She has no family remaining in our state that the Matheson’s could target in retaliation.
If it’s tracked back to anyone, it would likely be her.
The way things are going, I doubt revenge is going to be an issue anyway. They’re scrambling to save their asses.
The newscaster continues. “The Attorney General has assigned special prosecutors, and the first arrests were made today.” The screen splits to show a video of Grady being led out of his home in handcuffs.
The room fills with excited conversation and a few laughs while the newscaster goes on.
“Grady Matheson was taken into custody by the Marshals at his home where he’s remained since the story broke.
” The screen flips to another man in handcuffs.
“The chief of police, Clay Matheson, who has been put on administrative leave was also arrested at his home.”
“Hope they feed him that moldy jail bologna,” someone calls out and laughter erupts throughout the room.
“A crowd has picketed the government center calling for the mayor, Emmett Matheson’s, resignation, which he has refused to respond to. He was taken into custody without incident as well. All three face numerous charges. We’ll be back with more updates as they become available.”
Camille turns the volume down and grins over at me. “I know you have to be happy.”
“I’m going out to dinner to celebrate,” I tell her, and she nods her approval. She doesn’t know what I’ve done. Only Lee, Calli, and Arlow do. But she knows what they tried to do to Lucky’s.
I look up to see Arlow towering over the crowd, with Lee and Calli at his side. Calli waves and points to a table, signaling they’ll wait there. She and Arlow go while Lee makes his way over to me.
“Place is packed,” he says.
God, his smile is so sexy. I’ll never get used to it. “There are lots of extra people in town right now. Journalists love a good coffee, you know.”
Our first year together was hard but we got through it. My heart broke when I learned about Lee’s suicidal thoughts and part of me wanted to kill Isla all over again for it. But we did exactly what we said we’d do and made it through the dark times together.
Things have been much better, and I know Lee gave the hundred dollar bill back to Arlow a year ago. It was guilt that was eating him alive for all those years and after discovering the truth about Isla, he doesn’t have to carry that anymore.
We’ve lived together at Lee’s ever since the night he came for me at the cabin.
Whenever I mention buying a new house, he says he’ll just carry me back to his over his shoulder.
After some thought, I realized I don’t want to move anyway.
I want to see him first thing every morning and last thing every night.
“Are you ready to go?” Lee asks.
“Oh, uh…I should probably get the drop boxes emptied and the drawers counted down for the shift change first.”
Camille interrupts, shaking her head. “Nope. You’ve been here all day. I’m here until closing time. I’ve got it. Go on.”
I hesitate, not wanting to leave her with the work when the place is so crowded with customers. “Are you sure? Because I can—” My words are cut off when Lee scoops me up over his shoulder.
“Okay, thank you Camille. You have a good night,” he tells her and starts to carry me away.
A whoop goes up from my employees and some customers. I’m going to kill him. Camille gives me a wave, laughing as the crowd parts for him. Calli and Arlow both laugh and lead the way outside.
“Lee, if you don’t put me down, I swear to god.” My threat is as effective as it usually is. The fresh spring air hits me, fragrant with flowers and blooming trees.
“What are you going to do?” he taunts, heading for Calli’s car.
“I’m not telling you. You won’t see it coming.”
“Looking forward to it, sweetheart,” he says, swatting my ass hard before he sets me on my feet beside the car.
“Better guard the balls,” Arlow laughs, climbing in the passenger side.
We get into the backseat as Calli replies, “Hey now, Silver hasn’t assaulted anyone in over two years. Give her some credit.”
“Thank you.” I fist bump my best friend over the seat.
Lee pulls me over closer to him and puts his lips to my ear. “You can assault me later. Scratch my back all to hell.”
“After you carried me out in front of my employees? Ha, dream on.”
“You’ll change your mind when I put you against the wall and eat your pussy until you beg for mercy.”
My face heats. “That could possibly make up for it. We’ll just have to see.”
His deep chuckle makes me smile, and he wraps his hand around mine. He always wants to touch me and I absolutely love it.
We go to my favorite Mexican restaurant and get led to a table in the back.
Once we’re seated, we all munch on the tortilla chips with cheese and salsa.
Calli and I start discussing Lacey’s wedding that we’re helping her plan while Arlow and Lee talk about an upcoming fishing tournament.
We have a great time, and it hits me again as I’m sipping my margarita how lucky I am.
My year of hell is behind me and there’s nothing that I can’t get through with Lee and my friends by my side. They’re the family I never saw coming.
After we’ve finished eating and the waitress drops off the check, Lee looks over at Arlow. “Hey, I need our hundred dollar bill.”
An immediate hush falls over the table, and my heart sinks.
He was doing so well. We need to talk, but my first instinct is to slip my hand into his.
We’re interrupted by the waitress coming to collect the credit card.
Arlow doesn’t react, only pulls the hundred out of his wallet and hands it to Lee after she walks away.
Lee doesn’t put it in his wallet or pocket. Instead, he stands as the waitress returns, taking the receipt from her. He signs it, then hands the hundred dollar bill back with it as a tip.
She looks up at him in surprise. It’s more than our check for the food. “You know you gave me a hundred?” she asks.
“Yes, it’s been good luck for me, but I don’t need it anymore. Have a good night.”
“Thank you.” She beams and walks away while all three of us stare at him.
I think back to what he told me before, that it was the guilt that drove him to those thoughts. Now he’s free of it.
“Are you sure?” Arlow asks.
Lee tugs on my hand, pulling me to my feet. He looks at me and then at his friends across the table. “I have more than enough to keep going for.”
Thank you so much for reading!