Page 99 of Christmas Mittens Murder

No way was I sticking around in case she was faking her injury. I dashed around the corner of the boulder and ran toward the still-lit menorah, a beacon of safety in the dark. Shapes flashing lights on the ground moved toward me.

“Cece? Is that you?” Ed called.

“Cece!” Cam added her voice.

“I’m right here.” I hurried toward them. “Please call the police, now. Thea is behind that big rock—or was—with a bocce ball in a mitten and what I hope is a really damaged knee.”

“She attacked you.” Cam pulled out her phone and called.

“She did.” I swallowed.

“Yes,” Cam said into the phone. “Halstead Park in Colinas. Thea Robinet attacked Cece Barton. Cece is okay. She was able to get away, but Thea is still at large, possibly disabled with an injury to her knee.” Cam explained about the bocce ball and the boulder.

“Tell them she’s Val’s murderer.” My voice quavered. “Same weapon. Inform Quan.”

Ed laid his hands on my shoulders and peered at my face. “Are you all right?”

I nodded. “Mostly. I think. I’ll assess later.”

He crooked an elbow. I threaded my arm through it and leaned on him.

“Thank you.” My rubber legs also thanked him.

“Does she have another weapon, Cece?” Cam asked.

“I didn’t see one.” I glanced behind me. Had Thea faked how much I’d damaged her knee? Should I have used the pepper spray? She could be crawling—or running—away right now. She might be crouched, ready to swing at the next person who came around the boulder. My pulse, which had started to return to normal, sped up again.

Aah. I’d never been so glad to hear sirens wail into action. They grew nearer with every second. Nothing would make me happier than letting the authorities handle this from here on out.

My cell rang with Allie’s ringtone. I had to answer.

“Cee, where are you guys?”

“Oh. We’re late for dinner. Sorry.”

She didn’t speak for a second. “Hey, you. What’s wrong?” My twin always knew. “Sirens are going off all over town.”

“Something happened, but we’re all safe.”

Two SUVs roared through the park and stopped at the gazebo. Spotlights blazed on. Sheriff’s deputies came at a jog. An ambulance pulled in. Detective Quan strode toward us.

“I have to go. I’m fine, Al.”

“Love you,” she was saying as I disconnected.

Chapter Twenty-seven

Cam and I didn’t get to Allie’s until eight o’clock. Allie and I exchanged a major bear hug, during which I whispered I’d fill her in after the boys went to bed.

“We saved your dinners,” Franklin said.

“Mama said they caught the bad guy,” Arthur added, eyes sparkling. “Did you get to see the sheriff, Auntie Cee?”

“I did,” I said. “And everything’s fine, except I’m super hungry.”

At Allie’s urging, Cam and I sat and were served bowls of steaming vegetarian chili with fat squares of cornbread.

“Wine?” my twin offered.