Epilogue

Stretch made good his escape as Alex had predicted. A day later, Alex took Janice and Sheriff Conly to the storage unit. He saw his dad had collected all his personal belongings but left the money and his grandparents’ keepsakes.

On closer inspection, the collection contained nothing of real value. The four items of note were a ruby ring and watch that must have been his grandfather’s; a string of pearls; and his grandmother’s wedding ring, which his dad told him had been passed down for three generations.

“All the money’s here,” Sheriff Conly said.

“I’ll deposit it in Alex’s trust,” Janice said.

Alex was amazed that they weren’t making a big deal out of it. He decided to leave it alone and not ask why.

“Do you think I’ll ever see him again?” Alex asked.

Sheriff Conly walked up to him and gave him a hug. In his ear, the sheriff whispered, “I’m sure you will.”

Alex and the sheriff had come to like each other. Alex had never imagined having this type of relationship with an officer of the law. When he thought about it, three of the closest people in his life fit that bill to some extent. At least Grace had been smart enough to quit.

“What’s going on with your former deputy sheriffs?” Alex asked.

News reports were still roasting Sheriff Conly for allowing this level of corruption to fester under his watch. It didn’t help that Steve had been the ringleader. Regardless of the truth, it was assumed that Sheriff Conly had been somehow involved.

“They’ve all turned on each other,” Janice said.

Alex shook his head. The saying ‘snitches get stitches’ didn’t seem to apply to the police. But then again, going to jail would be hazardous to their health. He could understand why they’d be willing to do anything to stay out.

“I hope you’re not going to let them off easy,” Alex said.

“My boss wants to wrap it all up quickly. I doubt they’ll serve much time,” Janice said.

“At least you’ll have all the bad apples out of the department,” Alex said.

“I think once this is all wrapped up, I’ll retire,” Sheriff Conly said, shocking them.

“You’re too young to retire,” Janice said.

“If I remained for another term, I’d qualify for a better pension, but I need a change.”

“What will you do?” Alex asked.

“It’ll give me more time to keep an eye on you,” the sheriff quipped.

Janice chuckled when Alex scowled at that prospect.

“I could show you the benefits of living in Oklahoma, like fishing and hunting.”

Alex thought about it for a moment and shrugged. He needed a change, too. While fishing and hunting might not be what he wanted to do, maybe he could spend time with his friends and, dare he say, his girlfriend. Speaking of whom...

Alex sent Ivy a message telling her he planned to be at the clubhouse that afternoon. But before going there, he had Janice drop him off at CIS.

He found Lyric and Grace in a conference room, poring over schematics for a security system for Saul Goodman’s home. As Alex had foretold, the man didn’t have the patience to do it himself.

“Good, you’re both here,” Alex said as he sat down and glanced at what they were doing.

He saw no significant flaws, so he just smiled at them and said, “I quit.”

“We wondered if that was coming,” Lyric said.

“You’ll still help out now and then, won’t you?” Grace asked.

“Of course,” Alex said and then got a big smile. “A little bird just told me that Sheriff Conly plans to retire. Maybe you could convince him to become a partner.”

“I’ll think about that,” Grace said.

“What time is the funeral?” Alex asked.

The Aldriches had a pet cemetery at the back of their farm in a little wooded area. They’d agreed to let Grace bury Snickers there. Reverend Gunther would officiate, and Mrs. Aldrich offered to serve dinner to all the guests. Alex had no doubt that enticement would draw a crowd to send the pit bull off.

“It’s supposed to start at six,” Grace said, adding, “I’d like you to say a few words.”

He wasn’t excited about talking in front of so many people, but he would do it for his savior. He nodded his agreement.

“Well, I’m off to spend the afternoon at the pool,” Alex said.

Lyric looked at Grace, who smiled.

“You can have the rest of the day off, too. Let me drive you two home.”

“Maybe we could stop at A Salt and Battery and have a cheesesteak. I’m buying,” Alex offered.

“You don’t have to ask me twice,” Grace said.

The three of them walked to the former sheriff’s restaurant. Alex was glad to see they hadn’t closed down now that the man was dead.

Boomer insisted on going to the clubhouse, so he and Lyric walked the energetic dog. Alex should’ve played ball with the giant poodle beforehand to wear him out. At least Boomer sat as the receptionist put his badge around his neck when they arrived.