Walt’s heart raced as he stared at the barrel of the gun. He was sure that it would be the last thing he ever saw.
“Not so fast. Put the gun down now!”
Walt could barely make out Jo’s voice over his panic. But there she was, just behind Chad. She had her hand shoved up hard against his back. Did she have a gun?
“Walk away, I don’t need to kill you, too.”
“You’re not killing anyone. It’s over, Chad. You’re done for.” She pushed her hand harder into his back, but Walt couldn’t make out what she held in it. “Put down the gun. I’m no cop, and that’s my good friend that you have your gun pointed at. I’d have no problem taking you out.”
Chad swallowed hard, then lowered the gun. Walt lunged forward and grabbed it out of his hand. His own hand shook as he grasped the gun. Loud sirens filled the otherwise quiet landfill. Eddy ran up to Jo’s side and helped her wrestle Chad to the ground. Samantha took the gun from Walt and helped him to his feet.
“Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”
Walt stared into her eyes. “How did you find me?”
“Walt, we’re your friends, we’re always watching out for you,” Samantha said.
Walt shook his head in a state of shock. “I thought it was over.”
“It’s not. You’re okay.” She handed the gun to a police officer, then steered Walt away from the chaos. She could feel the quakes that carried through his body. “Here, I brought you something.” She pressed a small bottle into his hand.
“Oh, thank you, Samantha!” He opened the hand sanitizer and squeezed a large amount onto his hands. As he cleansed his hands he looked up at her. “I still don’t know how you guys figured out where I was.”
“It took a little effort.” Eddy frowned as he walked up to them. “And it never should have.”
“I know.” Walt sighed. “I messed up. I never should have gone in without letting someone else know.”
“That’s true.” Eddy crossed his arms. “But I messed up, too. I never should have let you think that I didn’t trust your instincts or opinions. Or that I thought you couldn’t handle things with Madeline. I’m sorry for that, Walt. You deserved better from me.”
Walt stared at him with disbelief. “You’re apologizing to me after you just saved my life?”
“Technically, Jo saved it.” Samantha winked.
“Jo! She can’t have a gun, the police…” Walt said.
“Don’t worry.” Jo joined them. She waved a candy bar in front of him. “No gun, just chocolate, thought you might need a snack.”
“Do you have any idea how much sugar is in that? Have you looked at the label?” Walt scrunched up his nose.
“Oh yeah, he’s fine.” Samantha laughed and clapped him on the back.
“I’m sure the detective will want to talk to you, Walt.” Eddy remained by his side.
“I’m sure he will.” Walt sighed and wiped his hands with hand sanitizer once more. “I just wish it didn’t have to be here.”
“No you don’t, Eddy.”
“Yes I do. If I had listened to you, and trusted your information you never would have gone off and done this by yourself.”
“It was my risk to take.”
“But you never should have felt like you had to take that risk. We’re a team, Walt, and you’re a very important part of it. I’m sorry that I’m used to playing leader, and I don’t always give others a turn.”
“It’s okay, Eddy. Now that I’ve played leader, I’m pretty sure I’m going to let you have the role as often as you want.”
Eddy smiled at him. “You did great, Pal. You saved the day, now the only question is, will you get the girl?”
Walt smiled and looked away as his cheeks grew hot. “I don’t think I want the girl, Eddy. I am quite happy with the friends I already have.”
The End
From the Author
Thank you very much for reading ‘Numbers Can Be Deadly’, the seventh book in the Sage Gardens Cozy Mystery Series. If you enjoyed the book and would like to be updated when I release a new book you can sign up for email updates at http://www.cindybellbooks.com. I will never share your email.
You can connect with me at my Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/cindybellauthor.
About the Author
Cindy Bell is the author of the cozy mystery series Dune House, Sage Gardens, Chocolate Centered, Bekki the Beautician, Heavenly Highland Inn and Wendy the Wedding Planner.
Cindy has always loved reading, but it is only recently that she has discovered her passion for writing romantic cozy mysteries. She loves walking along the beach thinking of the next adventure her characters can embark on.
You can sign up for her newsletter so you are notified of her latest releases at http://www.cindybellbooks.com.
More Books by Cindy Bell
Chocolate Centered Cozy Mysteries
The Sweet Smell of Murder
A Deadly Delicious Delivery
A Bitter Sweet Murder
Sage Gardens Cozy Mysteries
Birthdays Can Be Deadly
Trust Can Be Deadly
Ties Can Be Deadly
Rocks Can Be Deadly
Jewelry Can Be Deadly
Wendy the Wedding Planner Cozy Mysteries
Matrimony, Money and Murder
Chefs, Ceremonies and Crimes
Knives and Nuptials
Mice, Marriage and Murder
Bekki the Beautician Cozy Mysteries
Hairspray and Homicide
A Dyed Blonde and a Dead Body
Mascara and Murder
Pageant and Poison
Conditioner and a Corpse
Mistletoe, Makeup and Murder
Hairpin, Hair Dryer and Homicide
Blush, a Bride and a Body
Shampoo and a Stiff
Cosmetics, a Cruise and a Killer
Lipstick, a Long Iron and Lifeless
Camping, Concealer and Criminals
Dune House Cozy Mysteries
Seaside Secrets
Boats and Bad Guys
Treasured History
Hidden Hideaways
Dodgy Dealings
Suspects and Surprises
Ruffled Feathers
Heavenly Highland Inn Cozy Mysteries
Murdering the Roses
Dead in the Daisies
Killing the Carnations
Drowning the Daffodils
Suffocating the Sunflowers
Books, Bullets and Blooms
A Deadly Serious Gardening Contest
A Bridal Bouquet and a Body