Murders & Romance: A Psychic Detective Romantic Mystery (Isaac Taylor Mysteries Book 5) by Lashell Collins (ready player one ebook .TXT) 📗

up where I did and come out pure as the driven snow. You are not the first forger I’ve dealt with. Only the first in this state.”

“Well, now I’m doubly intrigued.”

He turned and looked directly at her, and Sidney met his gaze.

Ronan picked up the jacket between them and put it on, leaving the manila envelope behind.

Sidney placed the manila envelope inside her purse and replaced it with the envelope of money.

“You will get rid of any remaining pictures you may have from me, right?”

“Already shredded and deleted. Along with the texts and phone logs.”

Without another word, he picked up the envelope of money and walked away.

Sidney let out a slow sigh and settled back on the bench. She sat there for a long time just watching the children play. Then she gathered her purse and phone and headed back to her car.

On the drive back to work, she thought about those kids on the playground. Something about them sparked a memory of being at the park at that age, her mother seated on a bench nearby.

“Watch me, mommy!”

Cartwheels were never so much fun as when she had her mother’s full attention.

She didn’t get many trips to the park when she was a kid growing up in Compton. She knew things were different now in her old hood. Better. Safer. But back then, the parks were no place for children.

It was weird how one stray thought could lead you down a rabbit hole of memories and emotions. The park led her to thoughts of her mother. Which, in turn, led her to thoughts of what her life was like after her mother’s death.

And that, of course, led her back to her Aunt Bobbie. Her mom’s sister. The woman who had taken her in after her mom was killed by a drunk driver.

She hadn’t spoken to Aunt Bobbie in about three years. Not since Damien had threatened to break her jaw if she told the woman anything else about their relationship.

He’d been so stealthy in his campaign to isolate her from her loved ones. So stealthy that Sidney hadn’t even realized what was happening until it was too late.

She’d thought many times about contacting Aunt Bobbie back when she was in hiding from Damien, but she couldn’t risk it. Now that he was gone and her life was settled and she wasn’t living in fear anymore, she knew it was past time to reach out.

She pulled to the curb outside Hope House and parked the car. Then she grabbed her cellphone and dialed, hoping that the number hadn’t changed.

It rang three times before the familiar voice answered.

“Hello?”

Sidney opened her mouth to speak, but her emotions robbed her voice. Tears sprang to her eyes.

“Hello?”

If she didn’t respond soon her aunt would hang up. She took a breath and forced sound from her mouth.

“Aunt Bobbie?”

A long heavy silence followed.

“Oh, my God. Sidney?”

A smile erupted on Sidney’s face.

“Yes. It’s me.”

“Oh, my God. Sidney! I thought… oh, never mind what I thought. Child, how are you? Where are you?”

Sidney laughed through her tears.

“I’m good, Aunt Bobbie. Things are great actually.”

“Oh, honey. Where are you? The last I heard from Simon, you were on the run from that son of a bitch who was beating you.”

“Yes.”

“But that was so long ago…”

“Yes, I know, and I’m sorry it’s been so long. But, I’m free now, Aunt Bobbie! Damien is gone, and I am wonderful.”

“What do you mean he’s gone? Where is he?”

“He’s dead. He can’t hurt me anymore.”

“Dead?”

“Yes.”

A tense pause.

“Honey, what did you do?”

Bobbie’s tone was tight and low.

Sidney laughed again. “I didn’t kill him, Auntie. I promise. It’s a very long story, and I can’t wait to tell you all about it. But I just wanted you to know that I’m all right.”

“Well, are you here in California?”

“No. I live in Ohio now.”

“Ohio?”

“Yes, Simon is actually here in Ohio too.”

“What?”

“We’re just four hours from each other, which has been great.”

“When did he leave Japan?”

“Only a few months ago. Listen, there’s so much to tell you, but right now I have to get back to work. Is it okay if I call you later tonight after I get home? I’ll tell you everything then.”

“Are you kidding me? Of course, call me back later! Can I save this number?”

“Yes. This is my cellphone number. Save it. Use it often. Share it with Erika and Tika.”

She’d missed her two cousins as much as she’d missed her aunt, and she couldn’t wait to reconnect with them.

“Oh, they will love that!”

“Okay. I have to go. I’ll call you later. I love you!”

“Oh, Sidney, I thought we’d lost you. I love you back honey.”

She ended the call and got out of the car. She entered the shelter with fresh hope blossoming in her chest.

24

The next morning, Gavin stood in the briefing room looking out over his dwindling troops. He’d just handed out a couple of assignments to the already taxed detectives of his unit, and now it was time for the big news. News he knew would be met with a mixed bag of emotions.

“Finally, I have an announcement to make, so quiet down.”

He waited for them to give him their undivided attention. When all eyes were on him, he took a deep breath.

“I am sorry to inform you that we will be losing Detective Gerri Miller, effective immediately.”

A low rumble of chatter went around the room.

“Yes, it is disappointing. However, it’s not entirely bad. Gerri has chosen to transfer out of the Homicide Unit and take a position in the Special Victims division of Violent Crimes. So, while we will lose her expertise in Homicide, she will still be here at the 3rd precinct, and I believe she’ll be on day shift, so you will still see her face around here on the fourth floor.”

Another rumble of chatter interrupted him again, and he raised his voice slightly in order to be heard above the din.

“Two new detectives will therefore be joining our team to fill the voids left by