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“I am pleased to announce the indictment of James Hornbrook,”

Elliot Drake said, baritone voice laced with practiced gravitas. He stood behind a portable lectern with the DA’s seal, which had been set up on the steps of the TGU administration building. “Mr. Hornbrook was the mastermind behind a smuggling network that stretched from the jungles of southern Mexico to the art galleries of Manhattan and victimized this fine university. He is a coward and has fled justice, but we will work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to find him and bring him back to face the consequences of his actions.”

Hez smiled and leaned against the bole of a tupelo tree. This was much more fun than the last conference he’d attended here. He was a spectator this time, so he could relax and enjoy the show. And Drake knew how to put on a good show. His gelled black hair gleamed in the late-morning sun, and he squinted slightly in the bright light, looking strong and resolute.

The ostensible reason for holding the press conference at TGU was that Drake’s announcement involved artifact smuggling, but Hez suspected Drake also wanted to associate himself with Savannah, who was now very popular for having saved TGU. She stood to Drake’s right, looking gorgeous and professional in a blue suit accented with a red-and-white TGU pin. Hope stood on Drake’s left, beaming.

Hez chuckled at Hornbrook’s predicament. He’d paid a huge price to keep Hez and Bruno from airing his financial dirty laundry—and he still had to run. Hope had been putting together an indictment for artifact smuggling at the same time Hez had been battling in bankruptcy court, and she’d gotten an arrest warrant just days after Hornbrook’s deal with TGU closed. It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.

A hand touched Hez’s arm and he turned to see Martine beside him. “Why aren’t you up there?”

“This is mostly Hope’s accomplishment. If Drake is going to share the credit with anyone, it should be her. Besides, having the university’s lawyer up there might imply that the DA’s office didn’t do all the work.”

An amused smile curved her full lips. “You know what DA stands for, right?”

Hez grinned at the old legal/political joke. “Definitely Ambitious. Think he’ll run for AG?”

Martine’s smile broadened. “You mean Aspiring Governor? I heard he’s already talking to donors, and someone registered drake4attorneygeneral.com.”

She jutted her chin toward the press conference. “When do you think he’ll indict Hornbrook for murder?”

Hez kept his face blank. “Whose murder?”

Martine’s eyes widened in surprise. “Jess’s, of course. Hornbrook had her killed because he was afraid she was about to turn on him.”

That would have sounded right to Hez—except for the video of Hornbrook sending underlings to check his car for bombs. Could that have been an act for the cameras, or was Martine lying? “How do you know?”

“I don’t know—but my client does.”

“Your client. So you’re here on business, then?”

She gave him a coy look. “It’s always a pleasure when I get to see you, Hez. But yes, I’ll be billing for our chat.”

“So why doesn’t your client save himself the money and talk to me directly? The smugglers are all dead or in jail, and Hornbrook isn’t a threat anymore. He’s on the run. Rumor has it he isn’t even in the U.S. anymore. The danger is gone.”

She shook her head. “The danger won’t be gone until Hornbrook is in a federal prison. Besides, my client believes that when you do good deeds, you should do them in secret. Do not announce them with trumpets like the hypocrites.”

He let a hint of sarcasm creep into his voice. “Your client must be a very humble man.”

“I never said my client was a man. You did.”

She leaned close and winked. “Nice try.”

Martine’s gaze went back to the press conference. Hez turned in the same direction. Drake was saying something about getting an Interpol warrant for Hornbrook’s arrest. Savannah was looking toward Martine and Hez. Was she frowning or just squinting in the sun?

Martine patted Hez’s arm. “I should be going. Good seeing you, Hez.”

* * *

It seemed fitting for the three of them to be in the cemetery before the postponed engagement party. Savannah paid close attention to how Simon was doing as they stood beside Jess’s grave with the scent of wildflowers in the air. If only he could cry and get out his grief, but he stood dry-eyed staring down at the flowers still heaped on the mound of dirt. Cody seemed to sense his mood and settled at his feet with his head on his paws. Marley followed suit and lay down near Savannah.

Simon stooped and plucked a daisy from the grass. “Mom would have put on a really great party tonight.”

Hez let go of Savannah’s hand and moved close enough to Simon to put his hand on his shoulder. “She did everything with a great sense of style and flair. She’d had a really great one planned the night she died.”

“Out at Jesse’s Restaurant. I’ve still never gotten to go there.”

Simon gave a jerky nod. “Are you going to sell the house?”

Savannah shot a helpless glance at Hez, who nodded encouragement. There was no reason to keep Simon in the dark. “We already have an offer on it. Your mom made sure you were taken care of.”

“I’d rather have her than money.”

Simon had no idea how much was in Jess’s estate, and Savannah hoped he’d never ask. She wanted to keep him innocent of how wealthy he would be someday. “No one will ever replace your mom in our hearts. I know things are a little cramped in my cottage at the moment, but we’ll show you the new house as soon as we can. You can select your new room and decorate it however you like.”

A hint of a smile lifted Simon’s face. “I can’t wait to see the observatory.”

“You can be in charge of it and show it to your friends.”

The smile grew larger, and for the first time, Savannah thought they might get him through this storm of grief. “Let’s go to Ella’s grave. There’s something I want to show you.”

Savannah knew how the dog might react to her surprise. “Simon, maybe you should pick up Cody and keep your dog under control.”

“My dog? I thought he was Uncle Hez’s dog. Is he really mine?”

“He’s yours,”

Hez said. “He has made his wishes clear in case you haven’t noticed. When I tried to take him home the day you and your aunt moved to her cottage, he refused to leave you. I tried not to feel hurt, but he’s abandoned me.”

Simon picked up the dog and fell into step beside Savannah. “I’m sure he still loves you, Uncle Hez—he just knows I need him.”

Hez curled Marley’s leash around his palm and walked beside Savannah too. “You’re a love magnet, kiddo, and the dogs are not immune to your pull.”

“Love magnet,”

Simon sputtered. “Don’t ever say that to anyone else, okay?”

Hez made a zipping motion against his mouth. “Not a peep.”

Even though Simon had protested, Savannah caught the delight in his eyes. If they kept surrounding their nephew with constant love, he’d get through this. She stopped and set her hand on Hez’s arm. “Close your eyes. This is your engagement gift from me. You too, Simon.”

“I’m only ten. I’m not getting engaged for a long time.”

“No, but you’re getting an official uncle, so it fits. Close your eyes.”

When both males complied, she took each of their arms and positioned them closer to a new statue she’d placed here this morning. “Okay, open your eyes!”

Simon’s eyes popped open first, and he gaped. “That looks just like us.”

Hez opened his eyes and studied the statue for a long moment. Savannah tried to see it fresh through their eyes. She’d commissioned it from a talented sculptor at the school, and the artist had perfectly captured all four of them. Ella sat on Hez’s lap while Simon knelt beside her and smiled adoringly at her. Savannah sat on the sculpted grass on the other side with her face turned toward the children. The peace on the stone face was something Savannah hoped to feel soon.

Hez still hadn’t said anything, and she saw him swallow hard. “Do you like it, Hez?”

“I—I have no words.”

His voice wobbled. “It’s wonderful.”

He glanced her way. “You’re wonderful.”

Cody let out a low growl and launched out of Simon’s arms. He ran on his short legs to the statue and gave two ferocious barks.

“You and your statues.”

Hez took a step toward the dog, but before he could snatch him up, Simon stroked Cody’s head and the dog immediately calmed. “Well, I’m gobsmacked. I usually have to cart him away. See, Simon, I told you he was your dog.”

Simon squatted beside the dog and continued patting Cody’s head. “Good boy.”

Hez put his arm around Savannah. “Don’t tell our nephew I’m going to kiss his aunt. This is the best present I could ever have except for you.”

And he proceeded to kiss her breathless.