"So – Collins killed Ricky Thomas, too?"
"Yes. The reports said that Collins put some sleeping pills into a beer he offered to Ricky. He tried to come across to Ricky as a co-conspirator, and for once Ricky let his guard down. They walked around to the back of the grocery and that was when John shot the heroin overdose into him. By that time, he was too drugged from the sleeping pills to resist."
"Didn’t you tell me that Steven said his brother felt like someone was tailing him? Was that John Collins?"
"It seems so. Apparently, he lured John Wilkins to a nearby bar by faking an interest in helping to get Steven out of prison. Instead, he got sleeping pills into Homeless John's drink. They left the bar together and the next thing we knew, John Wilkins was dead of an overdose."
"I heard a cop say there was stuff that belonged to John Wilkins found in the alley near Roasted Love’s dumpster?" asked Daniel. "Is that true?"
I nodded. "Well, from what Chief Hayes said, Collins dumped some of John's things in and around the trash bin in the alley, hoping it would look like John was throwing away his prized possessions before killing himself.
"And it almost worked." I sat quietly for a few seconds. "I’m so glad for Steven Wilkins. I don’t doubt he'll be released from prison very soon."
"I hope he appreciates how you believed in him, Laila. And I know that drugs that get confiscated can be a real temptation to some in the police departments," said Daniel. "But John Collins took it to the next level for sure."
I nodded. "I think people can lose track of the important things in life, and without warning find themselves in a downward spiral." Then I looked up at him, and smiled gently. "As for me, I’m just glad you're around to keep me on the right track."
"When have I steered you away from a downward spiral?" Daniel’s dark eyes danced.
"That’s just it. You don’t allow me to even be tempted." I got up and walked to a small cabinet in the corner of the room. "How about playing a game of Clue tonight?" I said.
Daniel threw his hands up. "Not tonight, please. Don’t you think we’ve had enough of solving crime for a while? Let’s get those doggies out for a good walk instead."
I put the board game back and reached for his hand. As if on cue, both dogs waited patiently for us at the door. We stepped outside and walked into the beautiful night together.
THE END