"Hey, Lone Oak isn't that far away from Houston. I'd love having you visit. And….did you know that me and Jesse are getting married?
Neely's eyes widened, "No, but I'm so glad. You know he was down here every night, and he called me every other to keep in touch. He's a sweet man."
"I know."
"He told me he prayed every night that you'd get well."
"I know that too. I heard him."
"You did?" Jesse asked.
"Every word!" She smiled. "It was funny, I couldn't respond to him, but I heard him. And I didn't forget. Oh, and I expect both of you to come to the wedding."
"We wouldn't miss it, girl." Neely kissed her on the cheek.
They all laughed and visited for a long time, then the doctor ran them out and told her she'd be going home in a couple of days. She was never happier.
***
Three weeks later, two detectives walked into Julia's office.
"Can I help you?" Julia asked when she looked up from her paperwork at them.
"Julia Myers?" They asked.
"That's right. What can I do for you?" She smiled tightly at them.
"I'm afraid you are under arrest." One of the officers came directly up to her with cuffs in his hands.
"For what?" She tried to sound alarmed and dismayed.
"Murder." Detective Walters cried.
She smiled, "You've got to be kidding."
"No ma'am…."
The officer put the cuffs on her hands and led her out of her office. Everyone was standing around watching. Some whispered, some snickered, others frowned at her as though they couldn't believe she could do such a thing.
"There's obviously been a big mistake," Julia cried.
"No mistake." The officer said lowly so as not to embarrass her any further.
"Neely, call Mrs. James. Explain to her that I'll return as soon as possible. They are making a big mistake."
Neely nodded but stared.
There were whispers, and Julia heard them.
Her face was a horrid mask of objections and fear.
She rode in the squad car to headquarters. They read her, her rights and asked her if she understood them.
"Of course, I understand them. I want my lawyer, now." She told them.
"All in good time, ma'am." The officer told her.
"Who did I kill?" She laughed at them.
"Officer James Bell."
Julia's face paled a little, but she shut up now. She'd almost forgotten about him.
When she got to headquarters', they fingerprinted her and took her to the jail. "I'm innocent."
The detective looked at her, "You'll get your day in court ma'am. I can assure you of that. You can tell your story then."
"How long do I have to stay in here before I can see my lawyer?" She asked, a little of her composure slipping.
"We don't know. Depends on how long it takes for your lawyer to get down here. You can make a call in a few minutes." The detective told her.
"I'll bring charges against you for false arrest," she protested.
"You do that, ma'am." The officer walked off.
Julia laid her head on the bars and closed her eyes. This couldn't be happening to her.
"Officer, you won't be able to keep me here long. I'll make bail and be out of here."
"You might do that, but we've got you ma'am. We found your clothes with all kinds of evidence on them and the syringe and your prints on that, and your hair, for DNA. I think we have this case solved pretty well. After all, not many cops get killed by a poison in a syringe." Walters told her. "It's almost funny, isn't it? We're not even arresting you for what you did to Melanie George."
"Then why have you arrested me?" She asked perturbed by their manner.
"Like I said, for the death of Officer Bell."
"It's absurd." She retorted.
"You'll have your day in court, so rest easy."
"Of course, I shall." She told them.
She stared out, wondering where Dex had gone. Wondering if Norma was happy with her baby. Wondering about Patricia. Wondering about everyone but her own dilemma. She'd planned this, the whole thing alone, and she was going down alone. It wasn't fair.
"You said attempted murder…. did the girl live?" She asked with a harsh tone.
"Yes, she did, as a matter of fact. But it took a lot out of her and she is now resting at home."
Julia shook her head. Well, she sure screwed that up.
She missed Dex, she sighed heavily as she flopped down on the cot in her cell. She wondered about the man she had planned to really run off with. Would he come see her, would he help her. Would he swing his weight to get her out of this? Norma was gone and she felt as though she had no one to confide in, no one to love her. No one.
***
Dex laid back on the warm sand and sighed. This was the life. He had at last found some happiness in his life. He glanced over at Norma who was smiling and lifting little Mercy up in the air. The baby cooed.
Dex was getting used to the sounds of laughter from the baby. Norma was a good mother. He liked the fact that Norma insisted the baby call him daddy too. He'd never been a daddy. Norma was a good wife, and their new life wasn't bad. He'd found a job in a hospital there, she stayed home with the baby. She cooked for him every night, they went to the beach on the weekends. He still managed to have the best sex possible. He couldn't have been any happier. They were now Mr. and Mrs. Winters. Life was good. Every now and then they reflected on the incident in Houston and Melanie. They never got another dime except that first nine thousand. Then thinking better of their new life, they tore up the debit card, and never touched it again. It was a joint decision they made together. Better to resist temptation that to die of old age in a cell.
They read a paper where a nurse in Houston got forty years in prison without parole, for killing a cop. Dex shook his head, glad of the road he had chosen.
They also read where Melanie got married to Jesse in Lone Oak and had fully recuperated from her ordeal.
Dex and Norma smiled, and cuddled into each other.
"I'm glad she lived." Dex murmured as he kissed Norma.
"Me too. Only Julia ended up in a bad way. I didn't even know about the cop she killed."
Dex stared into Norma's warm brown eyes, "Life is good again, for all but the wicked."
The End
About the Author
Rita has lots of books for your enjoyment. Rita has spent her life writing stories that come into her head. She loves writing, and spreading romance around the world.
She's a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She lost her soul mate back in 2006, but she keeps on writing.
Whether it is contemporary or western, or even historical, Rita loves to write romances. She's tried her hand at writing western thrillers and she writes children's books too.
Rita's Other Books
The Travers Brothers Series:
Chief Cook & Bottle Washer
Courting Abby
Hannah's Man
Along Came Love
Avalanche of the Heart
The Amory's
Heart of the Wild
Sweeter Than Wine
Mail Order Nanny
The Dream Catcher Series
Beyond the Dream Catcher
Just One Kiss
Ask No Tomorrows
A Promised Heart
Be Free my Heart
Dare to Dream
My Captured Heart
Finding Her
The Red River Valley Brides
Heart of a Lady
Dancing with the Preacherman
Last Bride, Last Man
Winning the Lady
Maggie's Dreams
Brides of the West Series
Heart of a Family
Delivering the Bride
Heart of a Woman
Wanted: Bride
This Side of Forever
A L
ove as big as Texas
Heart of a Captive
Wherever my Heart Roams
In the Arms of an Angel
Bride of Shenandoah
Falling for the Bride
An Unexpected Welcome
A Desperado's Bride
The Filly and the Gambler
Single Titles:
Nick's Baby
Pretend Mom
Strictly Business
Suspicions of the Heart
Wandering Heart
Runaway Bride
Historicals
Always Remember
Jodi's Journey
Love Rules
Contemporary:
The Connor's Series
Cinderella Nanny
Guarding Red Riding Hood
Cooking with Snow White
Saving Sleeping Beauty
A Beauty and a Beast
Cowboy Lovin' Series
Broken Hearted
His to Hold
All my Yesterday's
Historical Series:
Wester Serial Killer Series:
Better Off Without Her
Good Day for a Hanging
Bad Day for a Killing
Ghost of Victor Frank
Daughter of Iniquity
The Armstrong's
Forever in Love
A Rebel's Heart
Remember Me
Plunder My Heart
Young and New Adult Novella's
Off Limits
Don't Break my Heart
Temptation
Surprise Under the Mistletoe
Get a Life
Silver Bells and Santa Hats
Let it Snow
Gentle Ben
Part of Me
Easy to Love
Forever Man
Children's Books:
The Willy Series
Willy & the Spider
Maebelle's Hat
Poor Mo
Tick or Teet
Other's Day
Outfoxing Socks
Willy's Valentine
Doggie Heroes
Jojo the One-Eye Puppy
Tanker the Defender
Short Stories for Kids
Ben's Sacrifice
The Fair Trade
Lie on a Yardstick
The Red Jacket
Grandma's Ghost Story
The Gimmick
A Warrior's Survival
The Tina Series:
Tina's Revenge
Tina & the Bullies
Tina & the Teenage Mom
Tina and the Cheerleaders
Adult Short Stories:
The Halloween Witness
Distracted
Fast Forward Love
The Far Side of Lonesome
Coming Soon
The Car Stalker
Beyond Scared
Hidden
In the Eye of the Beholder