“And watched and heard how she improved and was able to go home,” Christopher interjected.
“Yes. Somehow the Seattle PD got involved since last night, and they went to Amy’s apartment and were able to find evidence where she stalked Douglas. She had even written out lists on how she was going to do it. She also had information on Wanda, there were the newspaper clippings locally from California and Nationally from your wedding.”
“What wedding?” Trish asked.
“Christopher and I were married over twenty years ago.” Wanda looked at her shocked expression. “Back then, I was dying from Leukemia. I was told I wasn’t going to survive. After I talked to our local Pastor, mydying wish was to marry the boy I loved, who happened to be Christopher, and he was Douglas’ best friend.” She shrugged, and grinned at everyone. “I had a crush on him. I told all this to the Pastor.”
“The Pastor came to our house,” Chris spoke then. “He told us everything that was going on with Wanda. Christine and I talked it over, and then we sat Christopher down and explained everything to him. He was five and Wanda was three.”
“I asked her to marry me and planned everything. I figured we’d get married on Easter Sunday because it was only a couple weeks away and a lot more people would be there to see it. Our wedding was in the local paper, and it was picked up nationally as a human-interest story. Stressing on the importance of blood donors. That article brought in an influx of donors and Wanda was able to have a bone marrow transplant.”
“However,” Angie spoke. “We didn’t know it until this past spring, but at different times after the wedding, Chris and I signed the marriage license, making the marriage legal because we were best man and matron of honor.”
“Which your signatures made it legal, you gave your permission,” Trish said. “My sister was only sixteen when she married, so I know all about the Washington State laws. When you were just a little girl you had Leukemia, then later, you had kidney failure and had to have a new kidney. And this Amy Brown put it all together and tried to come after you?” When they nodded, she sighed. “I always wondered what her motivation was, she was like a dog with a bone when it came to wanting to represent you. I even wrote herup and threatened her with the loss of her job if she didn’t back off.”
“And because I never saw you, or told you anything personal about myself you couldn’t put two and two together.”
“Correct. I thought when I fired her, she’d drop it.”
“But she didn’t,” Brandon said. He looked at his notepad again. “On her computer and taped to her wall were surveillance photos and information on Sean and Christopher. When questioned she said she went after Sean to try to get close to Christopher, hoping he could lead her to Wanda.”
“That’s all we know for now. She’s still being questioned and what surprises us is that she hasn’t requested a lawyer yet. However, the man in charge of the investigation is having the department psychiatrist examine her. It’s probably going to be a mental issue case, and if she goes to trial, she’ll end up in a mental facility. I understand and can follow everything in this whole thing except for one part.”
“Which is?” Randall frowned at his son-in-law. He looked over at the others in the room. “Brandon is the chief of police back home.”
“The part I don’t understand is how did Seattle PD get involved? Normally something like this would take days, maybe even weeks to get all the information. It’s almost like they had someone on the inside, close to this.”
Wanda watched her brother, and when he looked at her, she gave him a subtle nod. He took a deep breath and rubbed his palms on his jeans. He stood. “That would be me. I called them to get the ball rolling on getting a warrant for Amy’s residence.”
“You? But why Seattle? I don’t get the connection.”
Douglas paced a couple steps and rubbed the back of his neck. After several deep breaths, he turned and looked at his brother-in-law. “Six months ago, I took the detective’s exam. I passed, and I’ve been putting feelers out to different police forces. I know I should have told you, both being my boss and my brother-in-law, but I didn’t want to leave you in a lurch. At first, I wasn’t accepted anywhere. But I finally heard back from Seattle, and last month when I went on vacation, I actually went to Seattle and had an interview. I start in their Major Crimes unit a week from tomorrow.”
Everyone stared at him in shock then Brandon was the first to jump to his feet and shook his hand and then hugged him. “Good for you. So, you called Seattle because they’re going to be your new house and you knew Amy was from there. Good detective work, Douglas,” Brandon said again and slapped him on the back. “I’m proud of you.”
Everyone joined in with the hugs and kisses and congratulations.
“You’re moving to Seattle, Uncle Douglas?” Sarah asked.
“I am. But when I get a vacation, I’ll be back to visit you.”
“You better, because you’re my favorite uncle.”
“He’s your only uncle.” Brian laughed.
“No, he isn’t, I have Uncle Christopher. But I don’t really know him yet.”
Everyone turned to look at Christopher, and he grinned. “Hopefully that will change. Since Douglas dropped his bombshell. I have one of my own, I’d liketo drop.” He grinned and stood. “Wanda and I have talked it over this weekend, and we’re going to give this marriage a chance. It’s going to take a couple weeks to finalize the details, but I’m prepared to sell my half of the business along with my condo.” He moved his arm around, indicating the space they were all in. “Sean and I have been talking, and he’s willing to take them both. Once everything is finalized, then I’ll be moving to Arizona to be with Wanda. I’ll be there by Thanksgiving, with or without everything finalized. We’re going to make this work.”
Before anyone could say anything, Sean spoke up. “Sorry, but I’m going to have to back out of the deal.”
Chapter 25
“Excuse me?” Christopher stared at Sean in utter shock.
“Sorry, but I’ve been up all-night thinking. I haven’t had a chance to talk to you yet, but I went into the office and gathered up all the lists that you showed me about you moving and selling the business. I came up with my own list. You know how I always messed with you and your lists?”
Wanda snorted. “You and everyone else, but they do come in handy every once in a while.”
