Jacob leaned closer and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
Cole held up a hand. “I don’t think she’ll come back here. It’s too risky and she likes to be in control. We had a confrontation, so she knows thatIknow who she is and that she’s committed numerous murders. From what we’ve been able to ascertain, she’s fled to Europe or possibly South America with a great deal of money. The woman was always prepared for this kind of scenario. Her reach is wide, she’s got hired hands everywhere it seems.” He rubbed his jaw. “But rest assured, I will find her. Now that we have all the evidence, my boss has promised that we will stop at nothing to find her. Your mother will be brought to justice.”
Martha sniffed and lifted a hankie to her eyes. “After all this time, I thought I knew her. But I refuse to live my life afraid of her any longer. We are in God’s care.”
“That’s the best place you can be, miss.” Cole stood, hat in his hand. He held out a hand to Duncan.
Jacob shook it. “Thank you, Mr. Anderson. I just hope you can find her before she hurts anyone else.”
Cole slapped his hat on his head and smiled. “Victoria Jankowski isn’t afraid of me. She’s not afraid of anything. And that makes her arrogant. And that”—he smiled—“is why I’ll catch her.”
Epilogue
“There’s truly a fascination in discovery and pleasure and encouragement in success and we certainly have been successful in uncovering great scientific treasures. What is still uncovered spurs us on.”
~Earl Douglass
TUESDAY, AUGUST26, 1890
Martha stood in front of the brand-new display of herApatosaurusat the museum. She smoothed the fabric of her simple white gown as she stood next to Jacob, in front of their pastor.
After all they’d been through since they met over a year ago, today they would become husband and wife.
“This is a little unconventional, but I’m excited for you both.” Pastor Muldoon leaned in and winked. He peered over his shoulder at the mammoth skeleton and grinned. “Dearly beloved...”
It was a simple ceremony, with only the pastor’s wife and Phoebe present. But it was the most beautiful wedding Martha had ever attended. Because it was hers. And she was with Jacob.
It had taken her months to sort through the mess of her life.
Her mother hadn’t been caught... yet. But the smuggling ring and all the other illegal businesses had been shut down. That was a step in the right direction. Martha wanted nothing to do with the empire her family had built.
The few legitimate businesses that were left were reorganized and sold to families who would continue to operate them aboveboard. Martha kept the museum so that—with her husband—they could fill it with fossils and provide education for the next generation. Good had to come out of all that had happened.
Martha sold the mansion in Denver, the three country estates, and all the land her parents had owned. She and Jacob had given away most of the money and set up funds to help the city clean up after the disastrous news came out about their police chief and many of his men.
All Martha wanted was a clean slate for her city—and a fresh start for her and Jacob.
After months of counseling with the pastor, they’d put the past behind them. Though there were days it was still a struggle, Marth was working on forgiving her mother. She knew she could do it with the Lord’s help, and the encouragement of her husband. Together they had grown in wisdom and knowledge of the Lord. And in their love for one another.
The most exciting part—well, other than marrying the love of her life—was that they’d found another quarry full of bones. And another one just over the ridge from her first quarry. The locations were all rich with fossils. Jacob and Martha could dig for the rest of their lives in peace and contentment. Learning and growing. Studying fossils. And hopefully using it all to give paleontology a good name again.
“Miss Martha Jankowski, do y—”
“I do.” She grinned at the pastor.
Jacob laughed and wiggled his eyebrows at her. He leaned toward Pastor Muldoon. “I think she’s a little excited.”
The giggles took over and she covered her mouth with her hand. “My apologies, Pastor.” But she couldn’t keep still.
“I’ll save you the time”—Jacob winked at the pastor and, much to her delight, swept Martha into his arms—“I do too.”
Sweeter words had never been spoken.
