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It was one of those happy endings, I supposed, though the weight of all the harm caused by someone seeking revenge on me wouldn’t go away, not for a long time.

Terrence’s anger and sinister plotting, just to terrorize me and the people in my circle, had propelled him from one end of the country to the East Coast. Killing, thieving, stalking, and manipulating all the way. He’d be behind bars for the rest of his life, if not longer, and I felt some justice in that, but I also felt it was not enough.

Dr. Beetle’s crossroads symbol was front and center in my mind.

Questioning the trajectory of my PI career was a natural end result of this harrowing case, and question it I did. I weighed all the good I’d done against the lives taken, the sense of safety stolen. I thought often about Kat and her trauma—how it had made her rethink her commitment to the badge.

Would I do the same?

I wasn’t sure.

I wanted to rise above it, but I was tired—so, so tired.

Maybe time was all I needed.

Time: the great healer.

Tonight, I was in New Orleans, curled up on the couch with Cade, sipping wine and listening to the velvety baritone of Frank Sinatra on an old record player. And as had often been the case in recent months, our conversation turned to the future.

“You retired, and you’re doing fine,” I told him. “Maybe I should too.”

“Ahh, Sloane,” and he pulled me to him. “I’m not 100 percent believin’ you’re ready for that just yet.”

As always, Cade was supportive of anything and everything I wanted to do in life. Maybe he knew me better than I knew myself.

“But I feel like I’m cursed or something. Without intention, I bring so much danger into our lives.”

“Just one of those things that comes with the territory,” he said. “I’m just so grateful you’re still here … to make me crazy and all.”

I laid my head on his shoulder. “I do that, don’t I?”

“You do,” he said. “Crazy in love.”

I smiled. “Mmm, that’s nice. I’m thinking …”

“What’s that?” he asked, lifting my chin so our eyes could meet.

“I’m thinking … maybe just one more case.”

~ THE END ~

Thank you for reading The Familiar Stranger, book 5 in the Sloane & Maddie, Peril Awaits mystery series.