next words were out of my mouth before I had even thought about them. “Maybe we need to go back to New York.”
Candice, who had been rather quiet since we had returned to the house, said, “I was thinking the same thing.”
“But I’m in my last trimester,” Sutton said with what was damn near a wail. “I finally got used to Dr. Young, and I thought Brian could protect us better here.”
Everything she said was true. But there was also the fact that I was struggling running the company her father left to us. I was also worried sick that Sutton was going to meet her death in Otterville Falls.
I knew we had just built this beautiful home, and we had planned on living part of the year here and part in New York. But it seemed to me every moment we spent in Otterville Falls brought the implosion of my family that much closer.
Sutton was looking at me in dismay and, if I wasn’t mistaken, a hint of betrayal in her eyes.
“I don’t think you can leave during the middle of an investigation,” Natalie said. “We could talk to Knox, though, if you are serious.”
Sutton backed away from me. “No, we aren’t leaving. Not yet.”
I stood and went to her, hating that she was stiff before sinking against me.
“It was just an idea,” I whispered against her hair. “Don’t worry. We don’t need to go anywhere.”
I just hoped that I wasn’t making a massive mistake.
3
Sutton
I felt like vomiting, my eyes darting between the bloody towel at Brian’s shoulder and Mark’s tired face. It had been a very long day. That had to be why Mark was suggesting that we leave Otterville Falls. I couldn’t go through another move. To be perfectly honest, I may have been having contractions.
They weren’t regular; I had timed them. But they were enough to take my breath away. I just needed some time to think.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” I asked Brian for the second time.
“Yeah,” Brian assured me. “They only nicked me, not even worthy of stitches.”
I knew I should be grateful that Mark’s brother was okay. However, all of the day's emotions began to overwhelm me, and once the tears started, they seemed to have no intention of stopping.
“Who do you think was behind this?” Mark asked.
Natalie answered, “My gut feeling is Father Montgomery and maybe Maggie. But I don’t have any proof.”
“How do we prove that Father Montgomery is behind this?” Mark asked. “There has to be something we are missing.”
Brian nodded. “I agree. That’s just what we need to find out. I thought I saw the white of his clerical collar in the bushes.”
“Who wears all black to assassinate someone but still straps on their clerical collar?” Candice asked. “That’s ridiculous.”
“We need to find the bullet. Once we have the bullet, ballistics will tell us what type of gun was used and if it matches any of the other shootings. Then all that’s left is determining who has a matching caliber weapon, but my money's on the priest.”
“I agree, Brian,” Natalie said as she handed him a new towel. “Do you want me to put these towels in the laundry?”
I blanched. “No! Just throw them away.”
Natalie hid her smile. I knew that this was old hat for her, but I wasn’t used to caring for bullet wounds in my kitchen.
“But they both got away?” I asked Brian.
“I’m sorry, Sutton.”
“No, don’t be sorry. I just wish I knew what was behind all of this. Did someone see Maggie? Why do you think she was here? I don’t understand.”
“She was carrying the documents from your mother,” Natalie said. “One of the masked individuals ended up dropping a briefcase. I don’t know what’s in there, but we did see your mother’s maiden name. The case and the contents were sent with Knox to the police station.”
“What’s he going to do without you helping out?” Mark asked Natalie.
In the guise of law enforcement, Natalie went undercover to check out Knox, the chief of police. The only thing that came of it was a raging case of jealousy by Candice, who just happens to be dating the handsome sheriff.
Thankfully, they were able to get things worked out, but now Knox was down the help he desperately needed.
“He hired someone,” Brian said through a mouthful of chips.
Apparently, being shot also made him hungry.
“Who?” Candice and I asked at the same time.
Brian shrugged. “I don’t know. However, Reena and Alice have offered their rental up for the