EPILOGUE
Gillianand her mother walked out of the courthouse and saw Agent Morris standing outside waiting for them. It had been a tough morning in court, but it was finally over. She gave the agent a smile. “Sorry, you couldn’t get Paul on the money laundering charges.”
“All that matters is he’s going away for a long time. The drugging and kidnapping conviction will give him a long jail term.”
“I still can’t believe he was poisoning me,” she said with a shudder.
“The drugs he had you on were strong. We think he planned for you to take a fall down the trail leading to the beach. He was counting on the autopsy finding the drugs in your system and ruling the death accidental.”
She remembered that trail; she also remembered Paul’s words.You and that little dog of yours are going to have a little accident.
“Your physical therapist went on the record saying he wanted her to stay while he went on a business trip, but he didn’t have one planned. We think he was going to do it then.”
A chill washed over her, and her mom took her hand and gave it a squeeze.
“If you ever discover where his storage unit is…” Agent Morris said.
“I’ll be sure to give you a call.” They continued down the courthouse steps toward the sidewalk. “What about the cash from the safety deposit box?”
“It’s yours, and all your accounts have been unfrozen. Use the money to get a good divorce attorney.”
She laughed. “I have. Divorce will be final next week.”
“Good.” He shook her hand, holding on to it for a long moment. “Take care of yourself.”
“I will, and thank you again for saving me.”
He smiled. “You saved yourself by sending that text message, and your friend helped by refusing to listen to me and finding the bank your husband set up his accounts at. You are very lucky.”
She was lucky and blessed to have Nick and such a wonderful family in her life. The whole town had rallied around her. As they watched the agent walk away, her mom started to cry.
Startled, Gillian stopped and turned to her. “Mom, what is it?”
Her mom grabbed a napkin out of her purse and used it to wipe her eyes. “Sweetie, I’m so sorry.”
“What on earth for?”
“I’ve always been so proud of you. You’re such a strong, smart, amazing woman. We should have told you how much we believed in you.”
“Mom, I married a criminal who wanted me dead,” she said dryly.
“Who excelled at deceiving people. You had your doubts about him but didn’t trust us enough to share them with us. You didn’t even tell us he’d been arrested because you didn’t want us to think less of you. Don’t you know that no matter what happens, we could never think less of you?”
“I do now.”
Her mom gave her a hug, squeezing her so tightly and holding her for so long, Gillian felt all the old fears and feelings of inadequacy drift away.
“So what are you going to do now?” her mom asked, and for the first time it didn’t feel like she was asking with judgment in her tone, but rather actual curiosity and excitement for the future.
“I’m going to find my own place soon. Maybe something downtown. I’d like to start a marketing company.” Gillian looked at her watch. “Oh, I have to go. I’m meeting Nick for lunch.” She gave her mom a hug. “Thank you for coming with me today. I don’t think I could have faced Paul again on my own.”
“Of course, you could have, but I’m here for you anytime. I love you.”
“Love you, too.” Gillian left the courthouse with an extra spring in her step. She was finally free and feeling better about herself and her future than she had in a long time. She got in her car and started toward the restaurant where she was meeting Nick when she got a text on her phone.
Change of plans. Meet me at 375 Hickman Road.
Gillian frowned and plugged the address into her GPS. As she arrived at the address Nick had sent her and was surprised to find herself pulling up to the Hickmans’ old farmhouse. Nick stood on the porch smiling at her.