Page 51 of Silent Night

Natalie's gaze shifted to Heather and her brother, huddled together in a tight embrace. "I should go talk to them," she said, turning back to Sheila with a proud smile. "You did great tonight, Sheila. I'm really proud of you."

"Thanks, Nat," Sheila replied, her heart swelling with gratitude as her sister wheeled herself away.

Left alone with Finn, Sheila noticed the quiet hum of activity around them: officers speaking in hushed tones, the distant wail of an ambulance siren, the gentle rustle of wind through the garage. She felt a strange sense of calm amidst the chaos, knowing they had succeeded in their mission.

Finn cleared his throat, pulling her from her thoughts. "You were really something else tonight. I'm glad we were on the same team."

"Thanks, Finn," she said, a hint of color rising to her cheeks. As she looked at him, she couldn't help but think about how well they had worked together, how he had been there every step of the way. She wondered if this was the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership.

"So, what happens to Jenson now?" she asked, watching as the car carrying him disappeared into the night.

Finn rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Well, he's facing charges for the murder of two women and the abduction of a third. It'll be up to the courts now, but I'd say he's looking at life behind bars. Justice will be served."

Sheila nodded, feeling the weight of those words. As sad as she was for the way Jenson's life had turned out, it felt good to know that, in some small way, she had helped bring balance back to the world.

"You're not having second thoughts about making a career of this, are you?" Finn asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Why? Because of a small cut?"

"I was thinking because you nearly got stabbed to death, but sure, let's go with that." He smiled, and Sheila – despite everything she'd just been through – found herself smiling back.

She shrugged, attempting to play it cool. "Nah, it's all in a day's work, right?"

Finn chuckled, but she could sense a hint of concern in his eyes. "Just promise me you'll be careful out there. We need you in one piece."

"I promise," she said, meaning the words.

The two of them stood in silence for a few moments, taking in the aftermath of their successful mission. Sheila couldn't help but feel a sense of pride, knowing that she had played a crucial role in taking down a dangerous criminal.

"Damn, time flies," Finn said suddenly, glancing at his watch. "You want a ride home?"

"Sure, thanks," Sheila agreed, grateful for the offer.

They said nothing as they walked to Finn's car. As they got in, Sheila couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort and security being with Finn. She stared out the window as the car pulled away, her thoughts consumed by the whirlwind of an evening she'd just gone through.

As the cool night air rushed through the open windows, Sheila found herself reflecting on the events that had led her to this moment. As the city lights danced across the windshield, it occurred to her that maybe, just maybe, there was still hope for her to build a new life beyond the ring, where justice could be her guiding principle.

As Finn's car cruised through the city streets, Sheila's gaze drifted to her phone lying on her lap. She had been meaning to reach out to Star, the young girl with a troubled past whom Gabriel had been mentoring. Her fingers grazed the screen, pulling up her text conversation with the girl.

Hey, Star, she typed out. I was thinking we could train together sometime. I'd be happy to teach you some things if you're interested. Let me know!

She considered adding an emoji or two, just to show she was trying to be friendly, then decided there was no need. Better to keep the message understated.

As she sent the message, it occurred to her that, despite the fact that she hardly knew Star, she felt a sense of responsibility for her nonetheless. Perhaps she saw something of herself in the girl—a younger version of herself, back when she was so desperate to prove herself and find purpose in life.

The quiet hum of the car's engine filled the silence as she waited for a response, feeling the smooth leather of the seat beneath her and the gentle vibrations as they navigated the dimly lit streets. The scent of Finn's cologne lingered in the air, a comforting presence that stirred something within her.

Her phone buzzed, startling her from her thoughts. Expecting a message from Star, she quickly unlocked the screen, only to find a text from her dad.

Sheila, got some news about the vehicle from the junkyard. Call me when you can.

Her heart skipped a beat at the mention of the junkyard. What had her dad discovered?

And more importantly, would it shed light on who had killed her mother all those years ago?

EPILOGUE

Sheila pushed open the heavy door to her father's gym, the familiar scent of sweat and leather filling her nostrils. The old wooden floor creaked beneath her feet as she stepped inside, her eyes taking in the worn punching bags, the faded posters of boxing legends, and the ever-present chalkboard listing upcoming fights.

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