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“I will be.” She nodded.
Baker gave Anastacia one last pat on the shoulder before crossing to Knight, now on his feet, eyes glaring as they darted from person to person in the room. Anastacia shifted to the left to get a better view of Baker stopping directly in front of Knight. “I’ve been waiting for this. Anthony Knight, you’re under arrest for the murder of Detective Simon Quint, and the attempted murder of Anastacia Geist. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can, and will, be held against you in a court of law—”
As Knight’s rights echoed off the walls, Anastacia felt it all shift into place. The last piece of the puzzle sent her mind swimming in the euphoric haze of solving the case. At least her portion of it.
It was over.
A strong icy feeling sent shivers down her back, two arms wrapping around her waist and a chin on her shoulder. Saying nothing, she crossed her arms above his, her fingers just brushing his arms. It was the best she could do with everyone around her. A kiss landed on her cheek, a smile blooming against her skin.
“I love you.”
She closed her eyes at his voice, soaking in the moment. They did it.
A large, powerful beam of light illuminated around her, warming her back.
“No. Not yet. I'm not ready to lose you,” she whispered and leaned against him. His form wavered behind her. It wouldn't matter if she was ready or not. “I love you, too.”
His arms gripped tight around her, holding strong until they simply vanished. She stumbled back when his form disappeared. No one else saw the light except for her. No one felt it around them, a feeling of pure warmth and peace, taking everything Mel was with it when it faded. Her arms tightened around her as she let the tears fall.
“Geist?” Baker asked as she turned back to her. “It’s going to be okay. It’s over.”
Anastacia blinked through the tears. “I know.”
WalkingdownMagazineStreet,she turned down the side street toward what would have been Mel’s bar. After Jason’s death, a “For Sale” sign had gone up in front of the building and came down just as quickly. The murders of the two owners by a local detective had been plastered all over the papers as one of the fastest trials in the history of the city. Anastacia believed whatever the building became was sure to draw a lot of curious people searching for a ghost, or just a good murder story.
If such stories could ever be good.
A group of people pointed and gestured at the front of the building. Crossing the street, she recognized two figures— one alive and one spirit.
“Dominic!” she called out, waving at him and the small form that peeked out from around him.
Caroline rushed to Anastacia, her little spirit running circles around her in greeting. Anastacia subtly patted the girl on the head. Caroline laughed, jumping in excitement before retaking her place back at her father's side.
“Hello, baby!” Dominic called back, examining her choice of clothing. She was dressed in a crisp button-down shirt tucked into clean, pressed slacks. “Where are you off to so well dressed?”
“Just finished my volunteer hours for Tulane Medical Center. I’m helping those dealing with grief,” she explained with a grin.
“I thought it had to do with your new job placement. I hear congratulations are in order. Did you get the papers signed for the new contract yet?”
“Why am I not surprised you heard about the contract with the precinct already?” She pulled out a small wallet at her hip, opening it to flash the private investigator license. “I’ll be working with Detective Baker and her partner, Jameson, for now.”
“Then I have my in with the department again.” Dominic snickered to himself. “I promise not to pry too much.”
“I won't hold my breath,” she giggled with him.
Standing at the corner, trying hard to be inconspicuous, a blonde woman watched their interaction from afar. Anastacia’s smile fell from her face. “Great…”
Dominic chanced a glance over his shoulder and didn’t linger on the woman before lifting a hand prepping to snap his fingers. “Just say the word, baby, and she’ll go away.”
“I can handle her.” Anastacia pushed his hand down as she blatantly stared the woman down. The blonde’s nose went into the air before she crossed the street and entered a boutique.
“Who is she anyway? Not classy enough to be an associate of either of ours.”
“Her name’s Judy. She’s been blaming me for the death of her boyfriend.”
“Mr. Coster?”
“No, the man she cheated on Mel with. His partner.” She couldn’t help the growl in her throat, clearing it roughly before her smile popped back up. “Anyway, I can deal with her.”
