Fatal Secrets - Desiree Holt Page 0,53
dirty, and they are now awaiting trial in federal court. Including Montoya, who has been denied bail.”
“They’re sweeping everyone up,” Hank added.
“But the saddest story is the Craigs,” Alex said. Elliott Craig’s life and reputation are destroyed, as is his relationship with his son.”
“Warren suspected the situation all along,” Hank told her, “but he didn’t want to have to face it so he separated himself from it. Now I hear he’s resigning from the prosecutor’s office and even though he professes no knowledge, is still being investigated.”
“Everyone kept secrets,” Sadie said. “They turned out to be fatal secrets that brought a lot of misery and death.”
“And Justine?”
“When she was researching the Rod Winkler case for Warren Craig, being the thorough person she was, she discovered his real connection to Montoya and all the information he could spill. When he had the so-called heart attack, she knew it was murder and set out to prove it. That’s why she was killed.”
“She was a hero,” Alex told her, “ and we’re going to make sure everyone knows it. But you’ll have to wait until after the major trials to write your book, I’m afraid.”
“That’s okay,” she told him. “It will end up being a much better book. I’m going to find another one to write in the meantime.”
“With me watching every move,” Sean insisted.
She had just laughed. “We’ll see. Right now all I’m doing is hanging out. I even quit my job at the newspaper, although my editor said they would hold it for me.”
“We’re rearranging our lives.” Sean grinned.
Today Alex had shown up at the ranch to give her the latest updates and to find out when Sean thought he’d be able to take the course he needed for his license.
“I’m anxious to get you on my team.”
“Soon,” Zoe told the sheriff, smiling. “I told him since I’m not working, he needs to be gainfully employed.”
“Well, there’s a little house for rent in Eagle Rock that you guys might want to take a look at. Let me know when it’s convenient.”
“But first we have something else to do,” Sean told her.
She raised her eyebrows. “Oh? And what could that be?”
“Yes, Sean,” Sadie teased. She and Hank had joined them on the porch.
“It’s this.” He rose from his chair, pulled something from his pocket and got down on one knee in front of Zoe.
Zoe thought her heart would stop. Holy mother!
“Sean?”
“Zoe Ward, you came into my life when I was nearly at my lowest. You brought love and goodness and everything I needed and helped me fight my demons. You are the most precious thing in the world to me, and I would be so humbled if you would do me the honor of becoming my wife.”
Her eyes were so filled with tears she could hardly see, and her breath caught in her throat.
“Zoe? Don’t keep me in suspense. I might die waiting. Will you?”
She nodded her head. ”Yes. Yes, yes, yes. I will. I love you, too. You know that.”
“Whew!” He pretended to wipe sweat from his forehead.
He took Zoe’s hand and slid the most exquisite diamond ring she’d ever seen on her finger, kissing her knuckles as he did.
“I love you,” he repeated.
“I love you, too. Thank you for being in Red’s the night I walked in there.”
“Best night of my life. Or one of them. We’ll have many, many more.”
He pulled her into a deep kiss while the other applauded. She could hardly wait until she got an all clear from the doctor and they could celebrate in style.
If you liked Fatal Secrets, you will also like these other books in the Heroes Rising Series by Desiree Holt.
Guarding Jenna
Unmasking Evil
Desperate Deception
Zero Hour
Guarding Jenna
USA Today Bestselling Author
Desiree Holt
Chapter 1
It was the emails that pushed her.
Jenna Donovan had been keeping track of things online for the past fourteen years. She’d made a list of possibilities and every so often, when it wouldn’t get out of her head, she did a search for anything relating to those names. She had pitiful little to show for it, but her obsession with finding the right person was like an itch she could never scratch enough.
And then the emails arrived.
There is a rapist and killer here where you used to live. He’s killed ten girls in fourteen years. No one can stop him. He rapes them and then kills them if they report it. No one will help us. Please do something.
She could still feel the paralyzing shock that gripped her when she read it.