So far, Miranda Jessup Buckley has been jilted, fired and left to take care of her ex-lover's child.   She fought off Missy and landed in the hospital.  

 

Now, she gets more news than she bargained for.

 

 

 

               *****************

 

My momma gets to the hospital just as Mitch is leaving.  She doesn't wait to be introduced.  No sir, she plops her purse down on the foot of my bed and sticks out her hand.  "You must be the policeman, my daughter has told me about."

 

"And you must be her mother.   I see the resemblance."

 

"Please tell me you've locked that bat shit crazy girl up."

 

Mitch grins and looks over at me.  "Are you referring to Missy Toblerone or your daughter?"

 

"I can hear you," I say.

 

My mother doesn't miss a beat.  "I'm talking about the one with an actively changing body count."

 

"Yes, ma'am."

 

Momma reaches over and pats my calf.  "You and I can go over what to do about this one another day."

 

Mitch walks back over to my bedside and kisses my forehead.  "I'll see you later, Tiger."

 

After Mitch leaves, Momma drags a chair closer.  "I swung by your house. Got some clothes and some toiletries together for you.  When they release you tomorrow, you're coming home with me.   I don't want any argument about it."

 

"I wasn't going to argue.  But you're going to have to get Waylon to and from school for a couple of days."

 

"That's no big deal," she says.  Abruptly, she looks away and I can see her chin quivering.  "I almost lost you.  I don't know if I could have gone on.  That woman tried to hurt my precious girl."

 

Even without a mirror, I know looking at me must be a vivid reminder of how things could have turned out.  "She didn't, though."

 

"Only because you were smarter than her."

 

"Smart?  Never been described that way before."

 

"Oh, hush up.  There's book smart and street smart.  Book smart is over rated, if you ask me."

 

There's a knock at the door.  Momma tenses.  "Can I help you?"

 

"Hi.  My name is Colleen Weaver from the Gazette.'

 

"She is not up for an interview.  Go peddle your sensational news, some place else."

 

"It's okay.  Come on in, Colleen."

 

"I'm not here for a story.  Maybe later, when you're feeling better.  I just came to check on you.  I heard about it on the police scanner.  You're quite the hero."

 

"Funny how people keep tossing that word around."

 

"So far, Mrs. Buckley, you've uncovered a mystery from nearly a hundred years ago.  Found out who murdered Ed Preston. And possibly solved Jason Toblerone's missing persons case.  I think hero is exactly the right word."

 

"Well, thank you, Colleen.  I appreciate it and I appreciate you coming by."

 

She starts to leave but stops in the doorway.   "Oh my gosh, I almost forgot.  You get the reward money."

 

"What?"  Momma says.

 

"There was a reward for helping solve the Toblerone case.  Once they confirm the body parts do, indeed, belong to Jason, the reward is yours."

 

I wish I could say I don't want the reward, but I can use that money.  I can try to make arrangements to get custody of Waylon.  I doubt Dougie will fight me.  He's never really been interested in being the kid's father.  And I think Waylon needs some stability in his life. 

 

"A friend of mine down at the station said that Missy isn't talking.  Said she wouldn't talk until you were in the room."

 

"That's not gonna happen,"  my momma says.  

 

"If it'll get her to confess, I'll go to that interrogation room with a g-string and tassels."

 

Colleen covers her mouth.  "They may give you a call.  Depends on if her lawyer can't talk some sense into her."

 

I nod slowly, so as not to, jar my nose.

 

"Glad you're okay," Colleen says, then steps out into the hall.

 

"Wonder how big your reward is?"

 

I shrug.  "We need to find Dougie."

 

"He'll turn up."

 

I lie back on the pillow and close my eyes.  So much to take in.  It's exhausting and I'm hurt.  I just need to sleep.

 

 

 

                 ***************

 

"Miranda, sweetie, your boss and co-worker are here to see you."  Momma gently shakes my arm.  

 

I blink a couple of times, Rita's face is there in front of me.  Her eyes are wide.  "Oh, poor Miranda.   Does it hurt?"

 

"Yep.  A little bit."

 

Matt leans around her.  He looks awkward and scared.  "You okay?"

 

I smile, at least, I think I'm smiling.  "I might not be in tomorrow for my shift."

 

He laughs, but I can see two tears rolling down his chubby face.  "Game time decision, huh?"

 

Holding out my hand, he puts his hand in mine.  "Matt, are you crying?"

 

"No.  Why would I cry?  You're fine."  He wipes his forearm across his face.

 

Rita hooks her arm through his.  "We don't want to wear you out.  Let's go, Matt."

 

He pulls his hand away slowly.  Almost looks reluctant to do so.

 

"You're a bad ass, Miranda," he says, wriggling himself free of Rita's arm.

 

                   **************

 

Just before seven, Aaron comes back.  "Took Waylon to your mom's house.  I just figured you might not want to be alone."

 

"You're right.  But, I'm thinking that might not be the only reason you came back."

 

"See, you're smart.  They found out that one of the bodies we pulled up, is my great-uncle.  They also think the other two were revenuers.  Two agents went missing.  No trace of them anywhere.  Can you imagine disappearing and your family, friends never find out what happened to you."  Aaron looks down, pausing before he continues. "I been thinking.  I think I'd like to go into the ministry.  Please, don't laugh.  I think I'd be really good."

 

"I have no doubt you'd be good."

 

"Are you joking or being serious right now?" he asks.

 

"I'm dead serious.  But you know you'll have to give up smoking marijuana."

 

"Shoot.  I only do that because I get bored.  That's easy enough to stop."

 

"If you become a preacher, I'll start going to church on a regular basis."

 

"Phew.  I thought you'd be laughing your ass of when I told you.  Now, the hard part comes.  I gotta run it by my dad."

 

"Aaron, you're a grown up.  Stop looking to your parents for permission and approval.  Just tell them."

 

"They're gonna think I've lost my mind," he says, a tinge of nervousness in his tone.

 

"You've got to show them you're a man.  That's the only way they're gonna respect you."

 

Aaron sighs and stands up.  "Go on and get some rest.  I'll be back tomorrow."

 

The nurse comes in with a small white paper cup and a pain pill.  "I'll be back to check on you in a little while."

 

I swallow the pill and chase it with a sip of water.

 

Reverend Aaron.  It has a nice ring to it.  I just hope his parents don't make a fuss about his decision.  

 

 

 

To be continued ...