Fin loved her, and for now that was enough. They had things to sort out and would, but today she could bask in the fact she’d given her heart to him, and he’d given his to her. Smiling, she did a little skip.
Findlay Hudson was her man.
The street had opened to cars now, but she knew there would be celebrations long into the night. Picking up the pace so she could get back to Fin, Maggie hurried past people who wanted to stop and chat. She ran across the street. Maybe Chief Blake had returned to the station.
The sound of a bottle smashing had her slipping between two shops. Chances were it could be teenagers, and that meant Chief Blake could be there. Slowing at the end of the alley, she walked the last few feet softly, not wanting to alert anyone she was there. If Chief Blake was dealing with unruly teens, she didn’t want to distract him. But she did want to get this information to him ASAP.
“She knows nothing. They’re initials.”
“She knows something, I saw it in her eyes.”
Maggie froze at the words, sure that was Linda Foster’s voice.
“We have to stay calm. Nothing has incriminated us so far, and that’s not changing because of your note.”
Noel Linbar was talking to her; Maggie was sure of that too.
“No one knows my middle initials, and my parents are too consumed with Simon’s body being found to mention it. Nothing and no one can link us to his death. Stop panicking, Linda.”
“You said you looked for Simon’s wallet before you buried him.”
“I did, but I was in a hurry for obvious reasons. I must have missed it. Some animal then carted it down the mountain with that femur is my guess.”
“It’s turned into a nightmare.” Maggie could hear the panic in Linda’s voice.
“We just act normal and it will all go away. Maggie Winter has not connected you to the handwriting and won’t.”
Dear God!She edged back a step, slowly working her way out of the lane, looking down to make sure she didn’t tread on anything. She had to speak with Chief Blake, tell him what she’d heard. Maggie didn’t realize someone had joined her.
“Grab her!”
Hands gripped her arms as she looked up into the angry face of Noel Linbar.
“Bring her to the car!” Linda Foster demanded.
Maggie screamed; it was muffled as a hand clamped over her mouth.
“Hurry, there’s always someone nosing about in this town!” Noel snarled.
Maggie fought hard. Kicking, biting, using anything she could to escape. But two against one was never going to work in her favor.
“Tie her hands with this and stuff your glove in her mouth, Noel. Hurry!”
They wrestled her hands behind her back, and gagged her. All Maggs could think was, no way was this the end. She’d survived a shooting, found the man she wanted to spend her life with, and had a life to live. These two would not change that.
Noel stood behind her, holding her arms while Linda opened the car. She struggled, kicked out with her feet, but it was no good; he was stronger than her.
“Get her in the trunk.”
Maggie fought again at the thought of that small dark space, but between them, they got her inside and slammed the lid, plunging her into hell.
…
“Where did she say she’d gone?” Fin asked for the second time in as many minutes. He felt uneasy and couldn’t work out why.
“To see Chief Blake,” Joe said.
“Maggie’s gone to see Chief Blake?” Nash appeared.
