CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Alice Quinn faced multiple charges of manslaughter, mail fraud, insurance fraud, money laundering, dispensing illegal substances, and so many more things they couldn’t keep track of them all.
It was unlikely she would ever make it to trial considering all the enemies she’d made along the way. Including her own family.
Michael Quinn was overheard telling other inmates that he would beat her to death if he had the chance.
He wouldn’t get that chance. Unfortunately for Alice Quinn, three women in her prison block had family members that were affected by her evil.
They were more than happy to save the federal government a little money.
No one cared. No one cried. No one was there at her funeral.
Everest worked diligently to help the federal government understand the system that was created and how the company had gotten away with what they did. She wasn’t suspected of any wrongdoing and her assistance helped to shut them down permanently.
G.R.I.P. used the information they’d obtained about the system to create a system of their own, impenetrable. Medical centers were clamoring for it, willing to pay any price asked.
“Everyone did great work on this job,” said Hex. “We’re happy to have Mike and Everest as permanent residents and we look forward to seeing more new members of our first-responder team.”
“We’re getting close to having a full team willing to start soon,” smiled Mike. “First, I wanted to secure my bride.”
“And you will,” laughed Eric. “Everything is ready and the bride will be walking down the aisle soon.”
“With my help,” smirked Hex. “Gotta say, that one surprised me for sure. I’m happy to do it for you, Mike.”
“You guys were right. Being here, coming out here, changed my life forever. For the better. Now, who’s going to tell me how Mama Irene knew to put Everest in my path?”
The men could only laugh as they headed to the wedding venue. The flowers were everywhere, even along the aisle as Everest and Hex made their way toward a calm Mike.
There were half-a-dozen firefighters in the audience, all who had been vetted and approved by LEGACY. All who had served their country before joining the NOFD. They were trusted men, men who had proven themselves in battle, whether that was man, gunfire, or simply fire.
“We’re growing again,” said Cam smirking at Luke.
“Yep, and grandfather has already told Grant to expand the lower islands, combining the three to the south. We’ll have more homes soon.”
“Shh!” whispered Ajei. “I want to hear their vows.”
Cam and Luke stared at one another over her head, smirking. The vows were always the same and it really didn’t matter. Once a Belle Fleur family member, always a Belle Fleur family member.
In the back of the large tent, there was a table reserved especially for the ghosts. Walker and Charity were dancing happily on the dance floor, while Eagle Feather and Genevieve were strolling around the room.
Well, strolling was a bit of a stretch. They were gliding. Grip and Jonathon were laughing, holding hands, the others watching it all unfold.
“Another hit, my love,” said Matthew kissing the back of his wife’s hand. “Mike is a good man. We knew it every time he was here on the property.”
“He belongs here,” said Irene. “His own kin visited this place a hundred years ago. He doesn’t need to know that but it was important to us.”
“He put that fire out, him and the hands,” said Franklin. “Martha and me watched him run to the fountain at least a dozen times, fishin’ out buckets of water to save the library.”
“We owed him a great debt and finding the love of his life hopefully paid that debt,” said Matthew. He smiled at the young firefighters laughing at their table. “We have some new members of our family. Perhaps we should introduce ourselves.”
“Yes. They’re handsome indeed,” smiled Irene.
“I didn’t say they were handsome, my love,” smirked Matthew.
“I know,” she chuckled. “I know.”
EXCERPT for OLEANDER
Mike inspected all the equipment one more time and then checked on the men who were rolling the hoses. They were all relatively young, physically fit, and some of the best firefighters in the state.
Several were married, several more were single but they were all dedicated to their new role and more than happy to be there.
Compared to their city roles, it was quiet being part of the Belle Fleur fire department team. Most men were able to stay in their own homes at night, leaving just two men at the station to drive the equipment should it be needed.
In the last two weeks there had been only two calls. One was Mr. Couvillion who was bitten by his pet pig. Of course, he was trying to retrieve his watch from the pig’s mouth but nevertheless it was a reckless thing to do.
The second call was Mrs. Martin. She was eighty-six, spry, completely aware of what was happening around her but she was also lonely. She’d call someone now and then just to keep her company. Anything to chase away the loneliness.
One of the new guys, Roderick, sat with her for five hours, playing cards and watching Wheel Of Fortune, challenging one another to guess the puzzle first. Roderick hated to admit it but she’d won every damn time and he had tried as hard as he could.
Which is why when the news came through that Mrs. Martin was found dead on the front porch of her small cabin, no one believed it.