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“Oh, there was one more thing that happened while you and Simon were chasing ghosties,” Ross said. “We got an anonymous tip that a guy who was long rumored to be a Dixie Mafia foot soldier murdered Murphey and Ferretti. When the officers went to arrest him, he put up a fight and got shot dead. Inside his apartment was all the evidence any court could want implicating him in both crimes. Nice. Neat. Tied up with a bow.”
“What a lucky coincidence.” Vic rolled his eyes, indicating he considered it to be anything but coincidental. “I’m guessing that the Dixie Mafia hung one of their own out to dry as a gesture of goodwill?”
Ross shrugged. “Solved a problem for both sides. The guy had a list of priors five feet long. Even if he was framed for Murphey and Ferretti’s murders, there were others he got away with.”
Vic glanced down the phone log to see what he had missed and who he needed to call. “That’s interesting…there’s a call here from Pamela Murphey. I don’t know anyone by that name.”
“Murphey. Could she be Gillian Murphey’s widow?” Ross asked.
A quick computer search showed that to be the case. “I don’t know whether calling her back is going to clear something up or open a new set of problems, but I might as well do it sooner rather than later,” Vic replied.
He found himself holding his breath as he waited for someone to answer the phone. “Ms. Murphey? This is Detective Vic D’Amato. Returning your call. I was out of the office for a couple of days on business.”
“Detective,” a woman replied. “Thank you. Gil told me that you met with him shortly before he…before.” She kept her voice level. “I wanted to let you know that there is an official inquest and court case regarding the project he mentioned to you, the one that tried to communicate with spirits and…other things. The news media is having a field day, just their kind of juicy topic. Our lawyers believe we can get its funding taken away, shut it down for good.”
“That’s great news,” Vic said.
“I’m guessing you know enough about how government agencies work to understand that’s not quite the guarantee it sounds like, but it’s a step in the right direction.” She sounded tired but determined.
“I believe that if anyone can make that happen, you will,” Vic told her.
“Thank you, detective. We’re certainly going to try.” She ended the call, and Vic filled Ross in.
“That about wraps the case.”
“I’m sure there’s something else waiting in the wings,” Ross said.
“Aren’t you a ray of sunshine?”
“Hey, we haven’t qualified for our pensions yet, so we need work. I’ve gotta admit, your spooky stuff is more interesting than chasing gang members and busting check fraud rings,” Ross reminded him.
“True. But right now, I’m ready for a couple of nice, slow weeks to catch my breath,” Vic admitted.
“When has that ever happened?”
“Never,” Vic replied. “But I can dream.”
When Vic got home, the smell of roasting chicken made his stomach rumble. “Dinner isn’t ready yet. I wanted to have leeway in case you ran late.” Simon stole a kiss.
“I tried to get out as early as I could, considering there were loose ends to tie up.” Vic returned the kiss with quiet fervor. “I just wanted to get home to you and have a nice, uncomplicated evening.”
Simon snorted. “Like that ever happens. But I agree.” He pulled Vic over to the table where he had his laptop open.
“I know you’ve got some vacation time banked,” Simon told him. “Once you get caught up, let’s take a long weekend and go on a peaceful, relaxing cruise. There are some that run out of Norfolk or Fort Lauderdale that aren’t too expensive. We could use some time away.”
“On a nice, un-haunted cruise ship?” Vic asked.
“That’s the idea,” Simon confirmed.
At other points in his life, Vic had dismissed the idea of cruises as boring and for old people. After the action and trauma of the last several months, now the thought of lazing in a deck chair with an umbrella drink sounded perfect.
“Let me see if Cap will let me book the time yet, and we can make arrangements,” Vic told him and could see that his enthusiasm made Simon happy. “I’d say it’s just what the doctor ordered, Dr. Kincaide.”
Conversation over dinner focused on recent headlines, celebrity gossip, and trending videos on social media. Both men consciously avoided talking about anything paranormal or details of the recent case.
Once dishes were done and leftovers stored, Vic took Simon in his arms. “Let’s skip TV tonight. We have some sexy times to make up for.” He kissed Simon long and slow, loving how his tall husband relaxed into the embrace.
Simon let Vic lead him to their bedroom by the hand. A spoken command dimmed the lights, lit electric candles, and turned on romantic music, setting the scene.
