“My husband had nothing to do with any of this,” she said. “Don’t you dare drag him into this. He deserves his chance to win the election. This is the fourth year he’s tried, I’m not going to sit back and watch him fail again.”
“Yvonne?” her husband said, a look of confusion coming over his face.
“Come here, sweetie. Come into the cabin with me.”
“I don't understand what’s happening,” he said.
“I just wanted you to win, dear. I thought convincing Sheriff Ward here not to run again would be the best way to do that. We both know you’re never going to beat him otherwise.”
“I don’t want to win at the expense of people’s safety,” Ralph said. “Please tell me you didn't hurt anyone, sweetie.”
“You’re the one who hired Mark to drive into the pizzeria,” Ellie said, feeling sick. “A man died because of you.”
“Only because you didn’t take the threat seriously at first. I made the first call while I was in the bathroom at your house, so I could gauge your reactions when I came out. I was just trying to help my husband get the job of his dreams,” she said. “Ralph, come here. Now.”
Moving automatically, Ralph began to walk toward her. He stopped halfway there, right between her and Russell. He looked puzzled and confused as if her words hadn't quite sunk in yet. “What does she mean, you hired someone? What is she talking about?”
“Come on, buddy, move out of the way,” Russell said. “I need to bring your wife in. She just admitted to paying someone to attack my wife, an attack which ended in the death of an innocent bystander.”
Ralph noticed that Russell's gun was drawn pointed toward his wife. He held his hands out, saying, “Russ, what are you doing? She's my wife. Put your gun away.”
“She shot at us, Ralph,” Russell said. “Tell her to put her gun down. I don't want anyone to get hurt.”
The other man turned back to his wife. “Sweetie? Will you put the gun down?”
“Whose side are you on?” his wife said. “Hurry up. I'm not going to prison because this man couldn't keep his wife from snooping. I was just trying to help. I never meant for anyone to die. You trust me, don't you, Ralph.”
“I… I…”
“I would have been killed because of what she did if it wasn't for the man who stepped in front of a car to save my life,” Ellie said. “Please, don't let anyone else get hurt. You wanted to be sheriff. That means you wanted to protect this town.”
“I'm sorry,” Ralph said. He turned toward his wife and began walking toward her. Beside her, Russell groaned. Ellie knew that he wouldn’t shoot anyone unless it was the very last option he had, but they were in a dangerous situation, especially since Yvonne had a gun. He couldn't let them get away, even though one of them was a man he had once called his friend.
At least there is nowhere for them to go, Ellie thought. Then she realized that if they locked themselves in the cabin, they could probably take the boat out to sea. Then it would be just the four of them until the Coast Guard made it out to handle the situation. Anything could happen.
“I'm sorry,” he said again. Ellie realized that he wasn't talking to them. He was talking to his wife. It took the other woman a second longer to realize the same thing, and by the time she did, it was too late. He tore the gun out of her hands, and simply threw it into the ocean, getting it as far away from her as possible. His wife stared at him, her face a mask of shock and anger.
“Yvonne, you’re under arrest,” Russell began. “You have the right to remain silent…”
“I'm sorry,” Yvonne’s husband said a third time, more softly. Ellie tuned out what Russell was saying, trying to listen in. “I love the person I thought you were, but that person wouldn't have been okay with killing an innocent man just to see me as sheriff. Russell's right, I love this town and whether I make sheriff or not, I want to protect it. I know you hate me right now, but maybe one day you’ll see why I had to do this. I can’t let someone responsible for an innocent man’s death get away just because she happens to be my wife.”
Russell moved forward, taking the handcuffs out of his jacket and clamping them around Yvonne’s wrists. Ellie heard footsteps on the dock behind her and turned to see Bethany rushing up. She realized that at long last she could finally relax. They had caught the culprit, and while Russell’s job might still be on the line, her family was going to be okay.
Epilogue
The next day, Ellie and her entire family made their way to the town hall where the votes for the local election were cast. The hours spent waiting for the results felt as though they were passing at a snail’s pace. As the time neared for the victors of the election’s names to be read, she felt like tearing her hair out. She wasn’t the only one.
“These next few minutes are going to kill me. I wish they would hurry up,” Shannon said, squirming in her seat next to her husband. “Aren’t you two nervous?”
“You can’t tell?” Ellie said. She had been wringing her hands all evening. “If I have to wait much longer, I think I'm going to explode.”
Her husband, on the other hand, looked relaxed. “Whatever happens it will be okay,” he said. “The most important part of my job is keeping people safe, and that’s what I did. No matter what happens, I’ll rest easy tonight.”
James looked like he was about to say something, but at that moment the mayor came into the room. Everyone in City Hall fell silent.
The mayor approached the podium, an envelope clenched in his hands. He cleared his throat and spoke into the microphone. “The results are in,” he said. “Before I open the envelope, I would like to say that I know many of you fine men would have done a wonderful job keeping our town in line. Now, I’ve kept you waiting long enough. Let’s see who our next sheriff will be.”
He slowly opened the envelope. Ellie held her breath. She watched as he skimmed the words before speaking.
“Russell Ward,” he said at last. Applause filled the room. It died after the mayor cleared his throat to speak again. “Russell Ward has won by a large majority vote. He’s the first sheriff to ever have been elected as a write-in candidate. Congratulations, Russ. We already know you'll do a great job.”
Ellie leapt to her feet and hugged her husband. It had been one of the most stressful weeks of her life, but she was grateful that it had turned out this way. It had been too late to get his name put back on the ballots, but with him running as a write-in, he still had a chance. He had been sheriff for years, and everyone knew his name and face. After the story of what had happened got out, Ellie had had a feeling that Russell would win hands down, but now that she had heard the words herself, she could finally stop worrying.
“Congratulations,” Shannon and James said from behind them, both of them grinning.
Suddenly the whole town seemed to be there, all of them congratulating Russell and, coincidentally, Ellie. Russell was grinning, and Ellie knew that she was beaming more brightly than ever. They had fought through to the end, and Russell had won. She didn't think that she had ever been prouder to be his wife, and knew that Kittiport would be in good hands for as long as Russell was sheriff.
Author’s Note
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Also by Patti Benning
Papa Pacelli’s Series
Book 1: Pall Bearers and Pepperoni
Book 2: Bacon Cheddar Murder
Book 3: Very Veggie Murder
Book 4: Italian Wedding Murder
Book 5: Smoked Gouda Murder
Book 6: Gourmet Holiday Murder
Book 7: Four Cheese Murder
Book 8: Hand Tossed Murder
Book 9: Exotic Pizza Murder
Book 10: Fiesta Pizza Murder
Book 11: Garlic Artichoke Murder
Book 12: On the Wings of Murder
Book 13: Mozzarella and Murder
Book 14: A Thin Crust of Murder
Book 15: Pretzel Pizza Murder
Book 16: Parmesan Pizza Murder
Book 17: Breakfast Pizza Murder
Book 18: Halloween Pizza Murder
Book 19: Thanksgiving Pizza Murder
Book 20: Christmas Pizza Murder
Book 21: A Crispy Slice of Murder
Book 22: Lobster Pizza Murder
Book 23: Pizza, Weddings, and Murder
Book 24: Pizza, Paradise, and Murder
Book 25: Meat Lovers and Murder
Book 26: Classic Crust Murder
Book 27: Hot, Spicy Murder
Darling Deli Series
Book 1: Pastrami Murder
Book 2: Corned Beef Murder
Book 3: Cold Cut Murder
Book 4: Grilled Cheese Murder
Book 5: Chicken Pesto Murder
Book 6: Thai Coconut Murder
Book 7: Tomato Basil Murder
Book 8: Salami Murder
Book 9: Hearty Homestyle Murder
Book 10: Honey BBQ Murder
Book 11: Beef Brisket Murder
Book 12: Garden Vegetable Murder
Book 13: Spicy Lasagna Murder
Book 14: Curried Lobster Murder
Book 15: Creamy Casserole Murder
Book 16: Grilled Rye Murder
Book 17: A Quiche to Die For
Book 18: A Side of Murder
Book 19: Wrapped in Murder
Book 20: Glazed Ham Murder
Book 22: Pies, Lies and Murder
Book 23: Mountains, Marriage and Murder
Book 24: Shrimply Murder
Book 25: Gazpacho Murder
Book 26: Peppered with Murder
Book 27: Ravioli Soup Murder
Book 28: Thanksgiving Deli Murder
Book 29: A Season of Murder
Book 30: Valentines and Murder
Book 31: Shamrocks and Murder
Book 32: Sugar Coated Murder
Killer Cookie Series
Book 1: Killer Caramel Cookies
Book 2: Killer Halloween Cookies
Book 3: Killer Maple Cookies
Book 4: Crunchy Christmas Murder
Book 5: Killer Valentine Cookies
Asheville Meadows Series
Book 1: Small Town Murder
Book 2: Murder on Aisle Three
Book 3: The Heart of Murder
Book 4: Dating is Murder
Book 5: Dying to Cook
Book 6: Food, Family and Murder
Book 7: Fish, Chips and Murder