Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 132962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 665(@200wpm)___ 532(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 665(@200wpm)___ 532(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
“Thank you.” Cody let out another yawn.
“You don’t have to thank me. I want to. You’re my cowboy. I love you,” Mitch whispered. Cody was sleeping before he ended the sentence.
~~~
Later that evening, Mitch sat on the front porch swing of the Turner’s home, enjoying the cool country breeze. Cody rested on the lounger next to the swing and one of his little nieces—there were too many, and Mitch couldn’t remember her name—sat close by. Out of all of them, this little girl loved her Uncle Cody the most. She couldn’t have been older than five, but she sat on the floor of the front porch and held Cody’s hand, working the iPad in her lap.
She never said a word as she let Cody rest. She just wanted to be with him. Quiet nieces and nephews were something completely foreign to Mitch. Even though he didn’t get to see his own nieces and nephews as much as he should, he always heard them in the background whenever one of his siblings called.
He played a game on his cell phone, keeping a constant swing going back and forth when Connors interrupted with a phone call. He answered on the first ring, even though he was pretty certain that allowed the zombies time to eat his character. He hated that shit. Zombies were ruthless killers in the video game world.
“Knox,” he answered.
“I’ve got a pretty big update. We got a full confession and statement that Langley worked completely alone. He met with his attorney and the guy came back with Langley’s written and signed account of each death and accident. He gave enough information to undoubtedly tie him to the scene of each crime. He admitted he planned to go after your friend Montgomery, not Michaels. He also admitted he changed the video feed in the back of the coffee shop,” Connors said, clearly very relieved, maybe even happy they had finally solved this case. “The only discrepancy is that DeGeorge admitted giving Langley access to the security system.”
As Mitch listened, he got up off the swing and took the steps down so he could hear better and have a little more privacy. Something felt off. “Why the abrupt change?”
“I guess he figured he was busted after going off on you,” Connors replied, and that earned him a solid, Huh, from Mitch.
“What’s gonna happen to DeGeorge?”
“Kreed had already caused him to slip up. The guy knew the video feed had been changed. He’s being charged as an accomplice to the crime right now. Hey, hold on. Brown just walked in,” Connors said. He could hear someone in the background talking. An intense conversation going on.
“Shit, Knox, I’m putting you on speaker,” Connors said. Seconds later, he heard Paul Brown talking.
“They found Langley dead in his cell,” Brown said loud enough for Mitch to hear.
“Who confirmed that?” Connors asked.
“Anne just called me when she couldn’t get you to pick up the phone. Young just got the news,” Brown informed them.
“I thought they had him on suicide watch?” Mitch asked.
“They did. He asphyxiated himself with his pant leg,” Brown explained.
“You’re kidding me?” Connors replied. “So we got the confession and he killed himself? That’s convenient.”
Connors tone was off and Mitch got it. He stood there thinking things over as he kicked at the grass with his boot. “Where’s Kreed?”
“He’s on his way to verify all this himself. You know how he is. He doesn’t take any information blindly, but he was there with me when Anne called,” Brown said.
“Okay, I’ll call him later. Connors keep me posted on what they need from me,” Mitch said.
“How’s Cody?” Brown asked. Mitch looked up and Cody was watching him. The minute their eyes connected, Cody leaned in and whispered something to his niece. She jumped up and scurried off.
“He’s doing good, I think. He needs me. I gotta go.” Mitch was already taking the steps back up to Cody as he disconnected the call.
“Need some help?” Mitch asked and took over for Cody to help raise the lounger. He’d had trouble getting the lever to hold.
“I heard a little bit. What happened?” Cody questioned, his eyes on Mitch.
“He confessed to every case then killed himself.” Mitch sat back down in his same spot on the porch swing because it was the closest to Cody. He just stared at his cowboy, letting the news of Langley’s suicide sink in.
“So you’re done. You solved the case?” Cody asked and Mitch leaned in to kiss him.
“I think you solved the case, but we’ll see what happens. You never know when you’re dealing with all this political shit.” There was silence for several long moments between them.
“You’re gonna go stir crazy if you hang out here every day with me. You know that, right? You’re used to traveling free,” Cody said randomly as he glanced apprehensively at Mitch. Cody could change a subject in a heartbeat and usually did when he decided to talk, which wasn’t all that often.
“No, I’m not, Cody. I keep telling you, this is where I want to be. I’m a changed man. You changed me.” Mitch held Cody’s gaze as he leaned in, lifted his hand, and ran his palm down Cody’s cheek. “Almost losing you scared the shit out of me. I’m here for as long as you want me.”
Cody raised a hand to hold Mitch’s against his cheek. Cody visibly swallowed, another sign Mitch was learning that the words about to be said were impactful, so he listened closely. “I don’t think I’ll ever want you to leave. You’re the part of me that’s been missing. I’m off when you’re not around.”
“Those are the words I wanted to hear.” Mitch leaned in and kissed Cody. When Cody opened for him, he deepened the kiss, letting all the love he felt remove the lingering doubt he had about this case for the moment.
“I love you,” he whispered. He couldn’t seem to say the words enough.
“I love you, too. Forever.” And that earned Cody another kiss.
Epilogue
“As sexy as you look in my childhood bed, you need to get up. The crew’s gonna be here in about an hour,” Mitch whispered, sliding his palm up and down Cody’s back. He heard the words and agreed he needed to move, so he turned over, but instead of getting up, he snuggled deeper inside the warm bed.