Page 74 of Out of the Shadows

“Fast forward a couple months. Aberdeen spent time and money researching Vincent Hedge with the intent to rob him, then found the listing for the storage locker—which was in Hedge’s name. The file boxes say Thornton Vincent and he thought that the jewelry box may be in the storage unit. And I think you know the rest of the story.”

“Wow,” Laura said. “All this because his grandmother didn’t give him what he thought he deserved. I hope he’s in prison for a long, long time.”

“He will be,” Rick said. “There are so many charges we can pile on, he won’t be seeing freedom for at least a decade. And if prosecutors find physical evidence that he killed Thornton? He’ll go away for life.”

“Good,” she said. “You’re welcome to stay for breakfast, Rick.”

“I’m on my way to pick up my daughter from a sleepover, then we have brunch plans before my shift starts. But thank you.”

Jack walked Rick to the door, thanked his friend, and went back to the kitchen.

He watched Laura pull out plates and put syrup on the table and call out to the kids to come to breakfast.

Spontaneously, he walked over to her, put his hands on her shoulders, and kissed her.

She flushed. “What was that for?”

“Do I need a reason?”

“No.” Then she leaned up and kissed him. “I could get used to this.”

“I think I already am,” Jack said. He took the platter of bacon from the oven and put it on the table.

He felt like he had found home.

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