In the Blink of An Eye by Jerry Baggett (ebook reader for surface pro TXT) 📕

and down the hallway. “I don’t like discussing these things in a public setting but you may, or may not, know this, Samantha. Harvey Marino killed your father for the same reason he killed your mother. He pressured your mother to marry him, thinking she’d infiltrated his inner circle, intending to expose everything. Joe Davis was headed to a meeting with the district attorney with specific information of interest provided by your mother.”

He held eye contact with Samantha. “I didn’t want to burden you with bits and pieces of information about your personal life, Samantha, until we had the complete story. Now I can say with more certainty. Marino was the step-father you didn’t care for and can’t remember, for good reason. Furthermore, Hans Hempel arranged the killing to appear as an accident on that overpass. Evidence collected over the years started to make sense after some recent arrests.”

She spun around to Dick and smothered her face in his chest. “Thank God. I felt like an alien growing up. I’m tired of masking my insecurity, sometimes hating my birth parents.”

Hunt looked at his wristwatch. “Grant asked us to give him an hour of privacy with Maria after she passed away. We can go in now.”

Grant nodded at the group. “Did you give them the news?”

“They’ve been briefed, pretty much on everything,” Hunt said. “I have urgent business back in California. I expect to meet with all three of you there. I leave you with a bit of advice; don’t get careless. This situation is far from over.”

Grant stared at the sling holding Dick’s arm. “What the devil have you been into now?”

“That’s a story you’ll want to hear. We’ll fill you in after we’re finished up here.”

Samantha leaned down and kissed Grant’s cheek. “I’m so sorry for everything that’s happened, Grant. I want to help you get through your loss. Maria went through a lot. She obviously had a good heart.”

“Thanks, Sam. She had an unfortunate life, from the beginning. I’ve decided to make an effort to change the circumstances for her young son. With your help, perhaps we can ease him through his loss.”

She looked puzzled. “I don’t understand. How can I help?”

“You and I are family, my only family. I would like your encouragement. I intend to establish a trust fund for the boy. That means changing my will. Maria’s young son will not suffer the way his mother has. With help from our family, looking over his upbringing, he’ll do fine.”

She smiled and looked back at Dick. “You certainly have my one hundred percent encouragement, as well as any help I can give you along the way.”

Dick grinned at Sam. “Any one fortunate enough to become part of the Davis family is blessed.” He winked an eye at Grant. “Who knows? Someday, even I may get lucky and welcomed into your family.”

Chapter 45

Hunt growled his words out. “I asked you both to come in for an update on what’s happening. I’m going to be busy on several fronts for a while. If you need me, I’ll only be available by phone.”

He motioned for Dick to close the office door. “Everything’s quite clear now, Samantha. They were all in this together. The ranch was a major distribution point for drugs. There’s no reason for you to feel badly about taking Marino’s life. He killed Doctor Steven Peyton, with the same weapon he attempted to use on you and Commander McGowin. He also initiated multiple attempts on your life. He’s the one who hired those men to burn your house down. He started the most vindictive effort against your mother for giving up his secrets. And something you already know now, Samantha. He killed both your parents.”

“I understand that, Agent Hunt. And, it may help me get through this thing. However, I’m more concerned that you believe me. I worked with both for a long time and still find it hard to believe that Doctor Peyton and Angel were behind so much death and destruction. Yes, I can accept the facts but I can’t reconcile the man I knew with those terrible deeds, now that he’s dead. We were too close. He was very good to me.” She attempted to calm her nervous hands. “Now, please tell me the truth. Did Steven have anything at all to do with my mother’s death?”

“We don’t believe so. At first, we thought he had,” Hunt said. “He was, however, the brains behind Marino for many years, as well as a primary partner with the Mexican cartel. Their association cost many young American lives. The investigation may have dragged on indefinitely without information provided by Maria Estrada. I have recommended a reward be paid to her family for knowingly providing critical information that could and did cost her life.”

“That’s a tremendous gesture of gratitude,” Dick said. “I hope it’s soon approved.”

Hunt turned his attention back to Samantha. “Grant Davis also put his life on the line. He felt badly about what happened and committed his life and fortune to solving the killing of your parents, Samantha. I can’t say enough about that. Furthermore, I’d like to express my personal gratitude to you both for saving my life. The public is also indebted to you for your untiring effort.”

She shook her head from side to side. “I’m overwhelmed that Grant made those extraordinary efforts to bring my family to me. That’s worth more than all the riches in the world. The monetary value, when compared to my newly gained knowledge of family, is of minor importance, Agent Hunt.”

Dick said, “I believe I can speak for Samantha and myself. Our experience here brought us together with a bond that can never be broken. We have no regrets. We just want to get on with our lives.” He waved his hand around. “One more thing, Agent Hunt. What about the ranch? Are