Deadly Deception (38 page)

Authors: Alexa Grace

Michael Brandt called an emergency meeting for one o'clock and his office soon filled as Tim, Frankie and Lane arrived and took their seats at his conference table.

Michael started the meeting. "The three of you did an outstanding job apprehending two men who would have taken more lives and sold more babies, if you hadn't. I can't thank you enough."

Frankie swelled with pride, as she smiled at Lane.

But there is additional work to be done if we want to successfully prosecute them and keep their asses in jail where they belong," Michael began. "I want this case tied up with a neat little bow. I want the evidence to be so air-tight they have no defense. So while we're waiting for the rest of the forensic evidence to come in, there are some things that need to be done."

The sheriff nodded in agreement and turned to Frankie. "Frankie, I'd like you to stay on the op for a while. I know how good you are at finding people. Find David Chamber's wife. She's disappeared, undoubtedly trying to get away from him since he put her in the hospital a couple of times. Find her and discover what she knows about David's whereabouts and behavior the day of both murders."

Frankie nodded. Of course she'd stay on the op until David Chambers and Dr. Caine received the punishments they deserved.

"Another one for you, Frankie, is to interview every employee of the Forever Home Adoption Agency, as well as the pregnant women living in his apartment house. See if they have some valuable information for our case."

"Will do," Frankie responded.

"Just one more thing. If you don't already have cell records for David Chambers on the day of each of the murders, get them. Check his cell tower history to pinpoint his whereabouts." She made a mental note to call her contacts as soon as she could. If the cell tower showed David's location to be in or near Kramer the days of the murder, it was strong evidence for the prosecution.

Tim looked across the table at Lane. "Lane, I know this was your first big case. I want you to know I'm proud of the way you handled yourself. I know Michael is too. We have one more important thing for you to take care of. Follow the money to the Caymans. The bank there is not being very cooperative. We need you there in person. Follow the money so we can make a connection between the selling of the babies and the money the doctor received."

"Yes, sir," said Lane.

"I also want you to look for banking records that show Dr. Caine putting large sums of money in David's account following each murder. Take as long as you need in the Caymans. I have money in my budget for the trip."

Frankie's heart sunk at this news. Depending on how cooperative the bank would be, Lane could be away for weeks.

The group was standing up, ready to leave, when Michael's desk phone rang.

"Are you serious? Damn it, I didn't know Anne was having contractions or I never would have scheduled this meeting here. Is the ambulance just leaving? Okay. I'll meet her at the hospital!"

"Anne? Is she having the baby?" asked Frankie.

"Make that — babies. She's been on bed rest the last two weeks and didn't want you to know.

"Why not?" She was incredulous. Frankie didn't think she and Anne had secrets from each other.

"She said you wouldn't let her continue with the computer work she was doing for your company while you were gone. She said she'd go insane on bed rest with nothing to do."

"It just hit me. Did you say 'babies', as in plural?"

"Yes, there are two of them." He smiled at her as he hurried to the door.

"Michael, wait up. I've got a deputy downstairs to take you!" Tim said as he ran after him.

Hours later, Lane and Frankie walked into Anne's hospital room with a pink gift bag along with a blue one filled with baby presents. Anne was holding their baby girl, Melissa Anne, while Michael held his namesake, Michael Jr.

Frankie crept up to Anne, hugged her neck and kissed her cheek. "Wow! They are so beautiful." She stroked the baby in Anne's arm across her cheek.

Anne held the tiny infant girl wrapped in a soft pink blanket out to Frankie. "Please hold her. Melissa wants to meet her God-Mom."

"God-Mom, are you serious? Daisy will kill me."

"No chance," said Michael. "Daisy is on cloud nine and hasn't come down since we asked her to be 'Grammy'."

Frankie took the small bundle from Anne's arms and sat in a nearby chair to cuddle her, inhaling the sweet baby smell of her hair.

Lane watched Frankie. She was glowing and was definitely a woman who was meant to hold babies. And if he had his way, she'd be holding as many of his as she wanted.

On the way to the airport, there were so many things Lane wanted to say to Frankie, but they were rushing like crazy to make his flight. It didn't seem like the right time. In the driver's seat, Frankie raced to the departure curb and skidded to a stop. She jumped out to help with his luggage. He grabbed his heavy suitcase before she could and placed it on the curb.

He gathered her up in his arms. "Back there in the doctor's basement, I forgot to tell you something."

Frankie was confused. "What?"

"I love you back." With that he raced inside to catch his flight.

Lane was in the Caymans for two weeks. They were two
long
weeks for Frankie. Each night seemed worse than the last. She couldn't seem to sleep without Lane's warm body next to hers. She tossed and turned, until she finally gave up and read a book or watched television.

She'd moved her things out of the house in Bloomington. Tim hired people to thoroughly clean the house, especially her bedroom where she fought with David. She boxed the few things left by Lane and put the boxes in her guest room.

Frankie had travelled to Bloomington almost every day to interview Forever Homes Adoption Agency employees. A couple of nurses who had important knowledge agreed to testify as long as they wouldn't be prosecuted for their involvement.

She searched for David's wife and couldn't find her. She came to a dead end at the Nashville hotel. The great difficulty she was having finding her made Frankie think the woman had professional help and was in hiding.

With each day that passed, her confidence in her relationship with Lane slipped. She had not heard from him. If he was going to back out of their relationship, now was as good a time as ever. She was beginning to wonder if she'd ever see him again.

Fifteen days had passed and she was in the kitchen making a pitcher of iced tea when she heard her doorbell. She swung open the door and found Lane holding a very large black puppy in his arms. Surprised and filled with joy, she moved aside for him to enter.

"How did you get here from the airport? And is that my Giant Schnauzer puppy you're holding?"

Lane wrapped his one free arm around her neck and kissed her soundly.

"Michael picked me up at the airport. I asked him to bring this little buddy with him so I could give him to you."

He put the puppy on the floor and it bounded to Frankie and gave her puppy kisses all over her face when she bent down to him. She laughed with delight. "Isn't he beautiful?"

"Yes, and he likes to ride in the car," said Lane. "I bought him a collar. Baby, you might want to check to see if it is too tight."

Frankie inserted her finger between the collar and the puppy's fur, sliding it completely around the collar until she stopped. She had touched a cold, metallic object dangling from the buckle. She bent down to look closer. Fastened to the collar was the most beautiful diamond engagement ring she'd ever seen.

Unable to speak, she threw herself into Lane's arms. He held her so close, it was hard to breathe.

"So you're saying 'yes', right? Because if you're not, I've got a whole lot of persuading to do, and we can get started right now in your bedroom."

"Yes, Lane. Yes. Forever. Yes."

# # #

Dear Reader:

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Deadly Deception
, I would appreciate it if you would help others enjoy this book too by recommending it to your friends on Goodreads or by writing a positive review on Amazon.

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Deadly Offerings
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Deadly Relations
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