Dodging a Bullet

Chapter Fifty-seven

Janelle screamed.

         She ducked behind a stack of boxes. With a loud crack, a bullet pierced the floor beside her. She screamed again. God, help me!

         In the next second, the passage lights came on.

         “Now, Aunt Ida.” Ben strode through the passageway, passing Janelle. “Give me that gun.” He held out his palm.

         “This is none of your concern, Ben.” Ida pointed the gun at him. “I’ll kill you if you come any closer.”

         Janelle gasped. “No!”

         Her protest distracted Ida, and Ben grabbed the gun. Then he took Ida’s arm firmly. “No more killing. You’ve caused enough problems.”

         “That’s right.” Sheriff Horton strode in from the other end of the passageway. “You’re under arrest, Ida Thorne, for the murder of your brother-in-law, Jed Thorne.” He pulled her arms behind her and snapped a pair of handcuffs in place.

         Janelle breathed out her relief. Thank You, Lord!

         “Huh! What do you mean, I’m under arrest?” Ida stared at the sheriff. “I didn’t kill anyone. Uh, Mr. Thorne died in his bed.” Her shoulders drooped and she suddenly looked feeble. “But he was old. My nephew found him. Found him in bed—”

         “Sorry, Aunt Ida.” Ben handed the gun to the sheriff. “That dementia’s not going to work anymore. Dr. Prescott says your brain is good. Sharp, in fact.” With a sigh, he shook his head. “To think I’ve been living with a calculating murderer.”

         “That’s not true!” Ida’s eyes widened, and she looked at Janelle. “It’s Nellie’s word against mine. You can’t prove anything.”

         “Yes, we can.” Howard walked in from the other end of the passageway. “I recorded your entire conversation, Ida.”

         “What?” She gaped at him.

         “Sure did.” Howard pulled a tape from his pocket and gave it to the sheriff. “Since I missed my bus, I was in my office.” He pointed up at the wall beside them. “See that vent up there? I heard voices, loud voices, and started recording the conversation. Good thing, too. There’s no doubt that Ida Thorne is Jed’s murderer.” He pinned her with a look.

         Sheriff Horton pulled on her arm. “Let’s go, Ms. Thorne.”

         Her shoulders drooping once more, Ida shuffled with the sheriff to the other end of the passageway.

         Howard looked at Janelle. “Are you okay?”

         With a nod, she smiled at him. “Thanks, Howard.” And to think she thought Howard was the murderer!

         He took a step back. “I’m going down to the police station. I want to make sure old Ida Thorne gets locked up.” He walked out of the passageway.

         Janelle turned to Ben. “Thanks for coming into the passageway. I’m sure your claustrophobia was bothering you, but—”

         “Janelle!” He pulled her into his arms. “Aunt Ida could have killed you!”

         “I know.” She laid her head against his shoulder. “And she could have killed you. You were so brave, Ben! But I have a question.” She looked up at him. “How did the sheriff know to come?”

         “I called him. I heard the entire conversation.” He shook his head. “Just can’t believe Aunt Ida was so…so evil.”

         “Dad always says that once a person kills the first time, it gets easier every time.”

         “Your dad’s going to be proud of you, Janelle. In fact, I’m proud of you. In fact…” His arms tightened around her. “I love you.”

         “You do?” Tears crept to Janelle’s eyes. “Oh Ben, I love you, too.”

         “Really?” He grinned, then his eyes dipped down to her lips, and he kissed her.

         Janelle kissed him back with everything in her. She knew without a doubt that Ben was the one for her.

         He lifted his head and looked her in the eye. “You’re so pretty… Uh, can we get out of this tight passageway and continue our conversation somewhere else?”

         Janelle laughed. “Yes! Let’s celebrate.”

         “How about dinner?”

         “At Hillaker’s. That’s what—oh!” She turned around and spied the open briefcase on the floor. “Ben, look!” She knelt by the case. “Your uncle Frank embezzled all this money from the company. I guess it belongs to you now.”

         “Wow.” Ben knelt beside her. “Thank God! Do you realize we can turn the company around with these funds?” He closed the briefcase and picked it up. “I’ll count it later. Right now, let’s get out of here!”

* * *

        

The story’s not quite over. Come back on Monday as we tie up some loose ends. Until then, may God bless you with a wonderful weekend.