Page 60 of The Fragile Truth
“Yes, the cabin is in Boyd Springs,” she reiterated. A swift relief pulsed through Sadie, bringing home the knowledge that Ian had discovered what was going on.
“Put him on speaker,” Lizette ordered.
“Are you okay?” Ian asked. “The US Marshalls are trying to get there as fast as they can.”
“Hang on. My hands are full. I need to lay the phone down. I’m gonna put you on speaker.” She did so. “Are you still there?”
“I’m here.” There was a slight pause as he asked calmly, “What type of lead did you find?”
Sadie was grateful that Ian was quick to pick up on cues. “I can’t talk about it over the phone. Let me give you the address.”
Lizette blinked like she hadn’t thought about how she would give the address to Ian without him hearing her talk. “Tell him you’ll text it to him,” she whispered.
Sadie was pretty sure that Ian could hear Lizette whispering, but no way would he act as if he’d heard it. “I’ll text it to you. Be safe coming out here. Lots of winding roads.”
“I’ll see you soon.” The promise in Ian’s voice rose emotion in her throat. The Marshalls were on the way. That was good!
Lizette called out the address as Sadie texted it to him. She was tempted to add something else to the text but refrained from fear that Lizette would ask to see the phone. She didn’t. Sadie subtly laid it by her side, wishing that her dress had pockets.
“See, that wasn’t so hard,” Lizette smirked. A gloating smile spread over her lips. “This story might just have a happy ending after all.” She threw Lina a scorching glare. “When the witch is dead, the spell will be broken, and the prince will return to the princess.” A fanciful tenderness softened her voice. “Never to be reunited again.” She shifted her focus to Sadie, regret pinging over her features. “Believe it or not,” she sniffed, “I’m sorry to have to kill you.” She thrust out her lower lip in a petulant pout. “You are one heck of a chef. That was some of the best salmon I’ve ever had. Oh, well,” she sighed. “No sense in crying over spilled milk.” She giggled and spoke in a singsong voice. “The milk is not spilled yet, but it will be. How does the song go? ‘Milk is white, milk is nice. It fills my tummy day and night.’” She pursed her lips. “I can’t remember the rest.” Her eyes hardened to green marbles as she turned to Lina. “As for this one, it’ll be a pleasure to kill her. She deserves it.” She tipped her head thoughtfully. “Too bad Maddie’s not here to watch. She hates you as much as I do.”
She stood and walked over to Lina. “You are the lowest of the low and deserve to die a slow and painful death. Putting a bullet in your head is better than you deserve.”
Lina’s eyes widened with fear, tears falling down her cheeks. She writhed, trying to get free, as Lizette pointed the gun at her forehead. Sadie jumped up from the couch at the same time the door burst open. Lizette let out a cry as she spun around, firing off a shot.
A man grunted and stumbled back. For a second, Sadie feared that Ian had gotten shot, but she realized it was Carter.
“Oh, no,” Lizette said as she lowered the gun, her hand trembling.
Carter’s hand went to his shoulder as he staggered to his feet. “You stupid woman. I got your note and came rushing over here as fast as I could. What have you done?” He looked at Lina and then back at Lizette. “Give me the gun,” he demanded as he walked toward her.
“Stop,” she screamed, her shrill voice piercing the air. “I’ll shoot you again,” she said savagely. Her voice grew strangled. “How could you do this to me? I—I love you.”
“You don’t know the first thing about love or companionship,” he scoffed. “You’re a spoiled and pampered brat.” He eyed her with disdain. “I didn’t need some fragile debutante whose sole focus of existence is one-upping the neighbors. I need a partner. Someone who understands me.” He looked at Lina. “She means more to me than you ever will.”
A half-laugh, half-shriek that barely sounded human burst from Lizette’s lips. Sadie dove for her at the same time she fired the gun.
Carter grunted in shock, crumpling to the floor.
As Sadie tackled Lizette, the gun toppled from her hand. Lizette clawed and scratched like a trapped animal as Sadie worked to pin her down.
The next second, a band of US Marshalls stormed into the cabin. “Put your hands up,” a man yelled, kicking the gun across the room.
Lizette went still as Sadie got up off her. Knowing the drill, she held up her hands, rising to her feet. “I’m Sadie Thomas,” she began, looking around at the armed men wearing bulletproof vests. “I have been working in conjunction with Sheriff Ian Russell.”
Lizette remained on the ground. She drew herself up into a fetal position, sobbing.
Ian rushed in through the door with Banks Chasing on his heels. “We got here as soon as we could,” he uttered.
She ran to him and fell into his arms. He pulled her close, rubbing her back. “I’m so glad you’re okay,” he breathed.
“Me too,” she sighed. A dam burst inside of Sadie, and she couldn’t hold back the tears. She let them fall freely down her face, feeling a deep cleansing taking place inside her. “It’s finally over,” she breathed as she pulled back and looked at Ian. She swiped at her tears. “Carter isThe Shadow. He killed Brent.”
Ian pursed his lips together solemnly. “I know. Banks told me the whole story.”
Hearing gurgling and sputtering sounds, Sadie and Ian pulled apart. Banks was holding Carter, whose body was spasming. Blood was pooling from the wounds in his shoulder and stomach. Banks looked up at Ian, sorrow etched over his face. “I don’t think he’s gonna make it,” he said quietly.
“We called an ambulance,” one of the Marshalls said, “but it could take a while for it to get here.”