With His Dying Breath (26 page)
Chip emerged from the back aiming his gun at Kyle, “She probably wouldn’t but I will. Sammi put these handcuffs on that other guy and lock his hands around something so he can’t move. Check him for a weapon, too.”
“Gladly,” she said. He was still out cold.
Pointing the gun at Kyle Tyler AKA Bill Fritz AKA Jonas Attaway, he said, “Get up and sit in that chair,” motioning to the office chair Sammi had been sitting in. “Y’all okay?”
Nodding yes, JJ and Sammi backed away to stand behind Chip who knew help was on the way. Cain arrived just moments later.
“Daddy,” JJ ran to his arms. “You got my message.”
“I did and I called Chip. I was down in Warner Robins, cruising the mall parking lots.”
Detectives Marabell and Nelson arrived on scene and learned what had happened while Officer Dan Jensen read the now handcuffed Kyle Tyler his Miranda warning and put him in the squad car.
JJ said, “Wow, I’ve never been so scared in my whole life. Sammi, you were great!”
“JJ, I was tied up. You’re the hero in all of this after knocking that guy silly.” She could laugh now.
“What he said, Sammi, about forging those marriage papers, well, you are Mrs. Brockton, if you want to be.”
“I loved Blake and he was a good man. Maybe he had faults but don’t we all?”
34
Thursday,
March 29, 10 a.m.
For the second time in two weeks, Sammi was sitting on the front row of a family funeral. She looked around at the beautiful plants and flowers and knew her aunt was loved by many friends. There were no relatives left. They had no children and no brothers or sisters. One hundred pink roses with cherry blossom branches covered the closed casket. She loved cherry blossom pink but the blossoms were gone just like her aunt. Samantha was grateful she had taken her aunt riding through the city and along the riverbank to see the beautiful pink blossoms just a few weeks ago.
She sat there as her pastor read the twenty-third psalm again, and her mind wandered. At least, she didn’t know any of this going on with Kyle. She started to cry.
JJ and Cain sat with her. The staff of the nursing home sat behind her. The nursing home orderlies considered it an honor of distinction to serve as “Miss Pat’s” pallbearers.
The service was brief just as her aunt would have wanted. All that hoopla is not for me, she would say, to the fancy church funerals of prominent citizens. Just put me in the ground and let me be. Sammi smiled to remember her aunt’s fun spirit. She would be buried between her niece, who was Sammi’s mother, and her husband, Jim, the man she had loved for forty-six years and had died several years prior. She’s with Uncle Jim now and mother and daddy. Tell them I love them.
She took a pink rose from the casket spray, the one over her aunt’s generous heart. She would have it pressed and kept with other mementos from her aunt’s estate.
The remainder of flowers would be taken to the nursing home where her aunt spent her final few years.
Sammi left the graveside knowing the last person on earth to truly love her was now gone. But, she had friends, so many good friends who believed in her all this time.
She told her aunt goodbye. Now she had some errands to run. Mitch would go with her to the lawyer’s office for the reading of Blake’s will.
The murder case was closed and her brother, Kyle, was remanded to a maximum-security prison north of Macon for the many deaths he caused. His so-called jail buddy recovered from a cracked skull and received a maximum sentence for endangering the lives of others with other felony charges. Neither one would ever be free.
JJ’s recording created an investigation into the marriage documents and the will. Her marriage to Blake was found legal, and the will Blake made two years ago was the true will. Kyle admitted to the murders and falsifying Blake’s signature on the will and other documents but it did not help him in sentencing.
Hilda learned, the rose tattoo woman was a girlfriend Kyle had met just after he got out of prison. He had set her up to get the file after Kyle had read an article Cain wrote on the bypass and the real estate owned by Blake Brockton.
Except for a trust of one million dollars for an unnamed child, Sammi received everything Blake owned. Not only did he own the property in Bibb County, which was estimated at two million dollars, he had property in three other states whose value was unknown. His cash on hand in the local banks was four hundred thousand and in off shore banks totaled a little more than twenty-five million dollars. Five CDs totaled four hundred and twenty five thousand, which were due to be renewed in one week. Sammi was the beneficiary of a two million accidental death policy.
Sammi received everything, all property, all cash, and the real estate business.
She gave Cain the exclusive rights to her story.
* * *
“A scholarship, Mrs. Brockton?”
“Yes, through a new charitable organization in the name of Patricia Solomon, I’m endowing a $150,000 scholarship for Jessica Jane Matthews, JJ, for her flight lessons and studies at the Aviation College. Please award it during your end of school year ceremonies.”
“Yes, yes I will. You’re very generous, and I know she’ll be thrilled.”
“JJ is a very worthy young lady,” Sammi replied.
“I’d also like to award a $100,000 cash scholarship to her best friend, Sara Crenshaw, to the college of her choice.” Sammi said. “She’s also a very deserving young lady.”
She left the school feeling great that her aunt’s name would help others. Her next stop was to the house where she and Blake shared their lives together. Where they lived and died because when he died she died a little, too, if only metaphorically.
With the front door replaced and the walkway pressure washed, it was as beautiful as ever. She contracted a moving company to pack her antiques, artwork and other belongings and store them until she settled in another house hopefully nearby.
She asked Sherry and Dan to meet at her house about five thirty since he was off today.
“Mrs. Brockton, uh, Sammi, are you sure about this?” Dan Jensen asked as he received the front door keys and the deed to the beautiful house in River Town, the house where she and Blake lived.
“Yes, you and Sherry have a wonderful life ahead of you. You have the baby boy on the way, and you said you needed a bigger place. Besides there’s a path that leads down to the river and you and your son will enjoy that. I’m sure you’ll teach him to fish.”
“Yes, but why? Why are you giving us this new home?”
Sammi smiled at the word ‘why.’ For once in her life the answer would be happy and joyous not an explanation for a tragic event
Sammi replied, “Dan, Sherry, I’m giving you the deed to a house. Your love will make it a home or if you don’t want to live here, sell it. It’s yours to do as you wish.”
Dan clutched Sherry’s hand as Sammi continued, “And the reason, well, Dan, during that awful time, you and Sherry were the first people to check on me to inquire about my well-being. That kindness did not go unnoticed. It’s a very nice neighborhood, and the house is just too much for me. I’ve arranged for Mitch to stay on as your gardener, if okay with you.”
“Yes, wonderful.”
“And an account is set up to pay the taxes for the next five years.”
Sherry started to cry, and Dan drew her closer to him.
“Please keep in touch with me and let me know when the little one makes his debut.”
Sherry was flabbergasted and was crying and laughing simultaneously. She hugged Sammi thanking her for her generosity and friendship. “I’ll never, ever forget this,” she said. “You are the most wonderful person.”
“I’ve been blessed,” she said. “Most people would not think so and would only look at the bad things that I’ve been through. But it’s true if it doesn’t kill you, it makes you stronger. So be happy, and please keep in touch, that’s all I ask.”
As Sammi turned to leave, she heard excitement and love in their voices as they went in to explore the house, and she knew she made the right decision.
One more stop to see Wilson. She asked Mitch to ride with her to his Columbus office.
His office was exquisite with beautiful furniture and accessories. He had two associates, two paralegals and three office assistants. Maria had an office as well.
“Wilson, this is beautiful,” she said. “Absolutely beautiful.”
“Well, the attention I received from your case created so much business, Maria has been decorating and sprucing things up,” he said looking around at the office.
Sammi noticed the painting she had purchased with the cherry blossoms hanging over Maria’s desk. “I love it, Senora. Muchas, muchas gracias.” She hugged Sammi’s neck.
“Well, Wilson, do you have that other item of business ready?” she asked.
Sammi had already paid Wilson a handsome sum for his defense even though he argued that he never had to defend her. “That’s beside the point,” she told him.
“Yes, as a matter of fact I do. Please come in and sit down. You, too, Mitch.”
“Wilson slid two pieces of paper toward Mitch. One was a document to set him up in the lawn care business. The other was a check for $250,000 to pay for equipment.”
“What?” he looked at Sammi with a question mark on his face.
“Mitch, this is just a token of my appreciation. You were my knight in shining armor. When I did not have a clue about what to do or who to call, you came to me, bringing your brother with all your faith in me. Not once did you doubt my innocence. And you’re just a very nice man.”
“Thank you, thank you so much,” he said. “But you were always so kind to me, bring me water and juice to drink, make me lunch, tell me to take break, not work so hard. I knew you didn’t do it. I knew Wilson could help you. And you’re a very nice lady.” Everyone laughed.
“Oh and by the way, the Jensen’s want you to stay on as the gardener.”
“My first client!”
O
n the last morning of the school year students, parents and teachers filled the school auditorium with sounds of applause every few seconds. Awards for perfect attendance and honor society were distributed. The DAR Good Citizenship recipients were announced. Ten worthy students received scholarships for higher learning. JJ and Sara almost fell off the bleachers when their names were called.
Sammi, Cain and Chip stood and cheered together as JJ accepted the substantial amount of money. Sara’s mom and dad were just as proud and grateful. It was a great day!
Before she left for the summer, JJ stopped in to see Dr. Jacob who gave her a big hug. “I’m so proud of you, JJ. I’ve found you a tutor if you’re still interested. Here’s the information.”
“Thank you so much. I’ll call and set it up. Now more than ever, I’m ready to ace my senior year. I hope you have a great summer, and I’ll see you in the fall.”
JJ, of course, stuck her head in Mr. Grumman’s office and flashed that big smile, saying, “See you, Mr. Grumman. Hope you have a good summer. Are you planning anything special?”
“Probably travel a little bit. I’m taking a course toward my doctorate in Athens.”
“That’s good. I’m getting some help with my math and science. I’m hoping for some advanced classes next year.”
“Well, don’t work too hard! That’s some scholarship you got. Congratulations!”
“Thanks, Wow, was I shocked?
“I imagine,” he said, longing to kiss her goodbye.
“Don’t you work too hard either. See you in September?”
“I’ll be here! Bye, JJ, see you, too!
She hurried out to her car unbelieving of her good fortune. It was the last day of school and the first hour of summer vacation.
Mr. Grumman watched her from his classroom window, her long hair bouncing off her shoulders as she waved and yelled at her fellow classmates. She looked so happy and as beautiful as he had ever seen her. He watched as Sara ran up to her and hugged her neck.
Mesmerized by her beauty and energy, he watched her drive away as he had done almost every day since he met her at the water cooler. He knew he loved her and no one else. “You’ll graduate next year,” he said in a whisper. “Then you’ll be mine.”
Yes, JJ was indeed a happy girl. She had a date to meet Chip waiting at the River Town gazebo on the river. He greeted her with a big hug and a soft kiss. They would spend the entire afternoon picnicking under the cover of cherry trees, walking along the riverbank, enjoying the beautiful warm weather and falling in love.
Only the beginning!
N
ow that you have finished my book, won’t you please consider writing a review? (Links are below.) Reviews are the best way readers discover great new books. I would truly appreciate it. Nancy