Page 109 of Three Girls Gone

Amanda walked out with Trent and slammed the door behind them. She told the officer at the door to take him to the cells and went to the room next door. Malone was there with Katherine and Detective McGee.

Katherine came over to Amanda and hugged her. “I can’t believe this is finally over, that the man who killed Julie is finally going away.”

“If there’s justice, for the rest of his natural life. We couldn’t have gotten him without your help.” Amanda touched her friend’s arm.

“I like to think I contributed, and while he deserves a heavy sentence, there is a small part of me that wonders where his justice is. It sounds like his mother put him through hell as a kid and messed up his mind.”

“Emasculated him at every turn from the sound of it,” Trent said.

“As tragic as that is,” Amanda began, “in the end we all must make our own choices. He made his.”

“True. If you would allow me”—Katherine turned to Malone—“I’d love to notify the Gilberts that we caught Julie’s killer.”

Malone glanced at Amanda and nodded at Katherine. “That’s fine.”

Amanda regarded her friend and hoped the closure would bring her some peace. “If there’s anything you need, call me.”

“I will. After I deliver the news to the Gilberts, I’ll be spending some time with my aunt May. I told her about Julie, but nothing about all this.” Katherine turned to Amanda. “And I suggest that as soon as you can, you get home to your beautiful daughter.”

“You can bet I will.” Before that could happen, she and Trent would have the pleasure of letting the Tanners know they’d captured their daughter’s killer.

Malone left the room with Katherine, leaving Amanda with Trent and McGee. She faced the detective. “I’m surprised to see you here.”

“I told you I care too much.”

Amanda caught a flicker in his eyes. “This happen to someone you loved?”

“Love.Well, not a child. But my wife went missing seven years ago. It’s why I got transferred to Missing Persons.”

“Sorry to hear that. Any idea what might have happened to her?” Amanda tiptoed.

“Nothing but dead ends so far, but I won’t give up.”

“I hope you find her,” Trent told him.

“Thanks. I was wondering if it’s not too much to ask if I can accompany you to the Tanners’.”

“That’s fine with me,” Trent said andlooked at Amanda.

“That works for me. How about we go right now and deliver some good news for a change?”

She, Trent, and McGee did just that, bringing the Tanners some comfort in knowing their daughter’s killer would be brought to justice.

About an hour later, they returned to Central, and McGee went his way.

“The paperwork can wait until Monday. I’m heading home. You?” Amanda asked Trent.

“You bet. I’m going to make the most of this weekend.”

“Oh yeah? Big plans?”

“If that’s what you call sitting on the couch with Kelsey binging movies and drinking wine?”

Amanda laughed. “That sounds glorious. Have fun.” She got into her car and called Libby to stitch up a loose end.

“Amanda?” Libby answered. “I heard about what happened. You were already out of the hospital at that point but?—”

“Not to worry. I’m fine. I’d like to know if you’re engaged or not. So…?”