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“I made a call to the governor,” Matt spoke up. “It’s our understanding there will be no charges filed against you since Ian Johnson refuses to say that you forced him to stay, but if DA Briggs decides otherwise, the governor is prepared to pardon any convictions levied against you.”
Cagle blinked rapidly against the new shine in her eyes. “I appreciate that, Matt, but I know what I’ve done, and I am prepared to face the consequences. Ian paid a terrible price for my grief. What I did to him was wrong. I’ve had a good long while to come to terms with that. It’s time I owned my wrongdoing.”
“The way I hear it,” Matt argued, “you likely saved his life. His brother would have killed him.”
“This is true,” Finley agreed.
“Still,” Cagle countered, “I was wrong.”
“Get over it,” Finley interjected. “Take whatever you can get and move on. Sell the house on Shelby Avenue, and move back to the home you shared with your family. Your friend has made sure it was kept ready for you.”
Houser had also told Finley that it was likely Ian Johnson would be cleared of any charges related to Lucy’s death, considering his father’s statement. It wasn’t as if Ian had purposely withheld information or obstructed justice, since he had been indisposed. Ray had been charged with first-degree murder, among an array of other crimes, like tampering with evidence. The old man wasn’t being charged at this time, but Houser felt numerous investigations would be launched into the family business. By then the old bastard would be dead anyway.
May he rot in hell.
“In fact”—Finley leaned forward to make sure both Cagle and Matt heard her—“I’m planning to move into this amazing house that’s just sitting empty.”
Matt’s attention swung to her. “What?”
“If you’re agreeable, I mean. You have a great house. We shouldn’t just leave it sitting there empty. I planned to sell the condo over on Woodmont anyway.”
Matt smiled. “I’m good with that.”
“Well then,” Cagle said, “I’ll need the name of your real estate agent. If you’re selling, I guess I’ll do the same.”
Smart lady. Finley smiled. “And don’t worry, until you’re out of here, Matt and I will take care of your dog.”
“By the way,” Matt said, “we’ve been wondering why you named your dog Spot?”
“Good question,” Finley agreed. She would love to hear that answer as well.
Cagle shook her head. “It’s a bit silly, but I was just so desolate after losing Lucy and Scott. There was a spot inside me that felt like a bottomless pit, and I was certain nothing was ever going to fill it. When that dog, a stray, showed up in my yard all scraggly and half starved, I took her in. Somehow she managed to fill that empty spot just a little. So I called her Spot.”
Finley had a spot like that, and Matt—she glanced at him—had helped her fill it to overflowing.
That stray cat they had named Lucky wasn’t the only lucky one.
30
Saturday, December 23
Quinn Residence
Nevada Avenue, Nashville, 12:10 p.m.
Christmas music streamed from Finley’s iPad.
She leaned back as far as she dared while standing on a ladder and studying the soaring twelve-foot tree. She needed a few more silver ornaments and it would be perfect.
This was what happened when she put off the decorating until the last minute. She should have taken Matt up on his offer to help. Finley had really wanted to do this part herself. There were still several hours before dinner. She could do it. She climbed down and went to one of the many boxes stacked on the floor. She dug through the perfectly packed Christmas decor. Matt had some awesome holiday decorations.
Even Nita would be impressed.
Matt had driven over to the Shelby Avenue house to give the key to the Realtor. The former murder house was going on the market on Monday. The Cagle house across the street was set for a reno before it went on the market. A new beginning for all involved.
Better days were ahead!
Finley and Matt had driven out to the Murfreesboro Road house and taken a casserole to Louise yesterday. She was doing great. A crew had come in and cleaned the place. Maureen Downey had stocked the fridge and the pantry. She would be staying with Louise through the holidays. Finley smiled. The way the case had turned out felt right. She wished more stories ended that way.
