Page 9 of Secret Stalker

The shot he’d given her to numb her arm did its job, but she couldn’t help wincing and looking away.

“How did you get cut?” her lawyer asked.

“It happened when I crawled in between some shelves. Some gunmen held up the store and I had to hide. I really am okay. Thanks to Max—ah, Detective Remington.”

“Who else was hurt?” he asked. “I saw two men brought out on stretchers.”

“I have no idea. I haven’t heard about anyone else in the store, or the details about what happened. I hope those men will be okay.”

“They were the bad guys,” Don said without glancing up from his work. “Heard it over the radio. Two of the gunmen were shot and taken to Maryville. I don’t think any of the shoppers were injured.”

Bex turned her head again as he poked the needle into her skin.

“Hurts?” Augustus asked.

“No, I just...don’t like needles.”

“It’s a shame your mother refused to let you come see her in Destiny all these years and then your first time back you end up in the middle of a robbery.” He shook his head. “Dorothy shouldn’t have kept you from your own home all this time. It wasn’t right. For what it’s worth, I did try to talk some sense into her. But she was too worried about you, was determined to keep you away.”

“I just wish she would have agreed to move in with me. But she insisted on staying here,” Bex said.

“Destiny was her home. She had a lot of friends here, her volunteer work at the church. I doubt she’d have moved for anyone.”

“Well, I guess it all worked out. Mama enjoyed the trips to see me. She got a little thrill every time I had a limo pick her up.”

“You spoiled her.”

“She deserved it. I only wish I could have done more for her while she was alive. No matter how well my business did, she refused to let me buy her anything expensive. Half the gifts I mailed her were returned. I sent her a houseful of furniture once and she wouldn’t sign for it, wouldn’t even let the guys unload anything from the truck.”

He smiled. “That’s Dorothy for you.” He leaned forward and patted her good hand. “My condolences again. I know you loved her very much. Her heart attack was such a shock to us all.”

She blinked against the burn of unshed tears. “Thank you. No sense in dwelling on the past anymore, though. I need to wrap things up here and get back to my own home as soon as I can, make sure Allison isn’t ready to quit after being left in charge of the antique shop so long.”

“Allison?”

“My assistant. And friend. Once I pack up everything, when do you think I’ll be able to put the house up for sale?”

She risked a quick look at her injured arm. Four stitches in, probably a few more to go. She looked away before Don dipped the needle in again.

“Another few weeks at best, a month at the worst. Your mother’s will is fairly straightforward. But there are some tangles to unravel with the various properties she had around the county and ensuring there are no liens before I can get them transferred to you as the owner.”

“You’re referring to the farmland my daddy used to have? Aren’t those plots leased out to local farmers? The same ones who’ve been on that land since Daddy died years ago?”

“Yes, but it won’t take long to clear them out. Shouldn’t be a problem. It’s a standard eviction process.”

“I don’t want them cleared out. Just transfer the deeds to them.”

He blinked like an owl. “Pardon?”

“I don’t need the land, Mr. Leonard. And I’m doing well with my antique store. I’m not rich by any stretch. But I’ve got what I need. No reason to be greedy. Those men have worked that land for years. They’ve earned this. It’s the right thing to do. Mom and Dad would approve, I’m sure.”

He looked like he wanted to argue but he gave her a crisp nod. “Very well. It’s your land, your money. I’ll draw up some papers to make the transfer. It will take more time than originally planned, of course.”

“Thank you. I understand.”

Don jostled her arm as he leaned past her to put away the needle. But when she started to pull back, he stopped her.

“I need to bandage that before we’re done,” he said.

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