Christmas with the Sheriff (The Fiore Family 3)

“Sounds good.”

“Thank you, Sheriff.” I end the call and think about why she was looking for Mia. I have a feeling this all has to do with me and my happiness because she can’t handle anyone else’s success or joy. Yes, she had no idea about Mia, but it must have galled her to see me happy.

“Hey, Ms. Blakely. You’ll be a guest of ours until Tuesday, so I suggest you make yourself comfortable and stop insulting our officers.”

“You. This is all your fault. You should have fallen for that twit, Susie. She couldn’t do something as simple as seducing you.”

“Seducing me?”

“Yes. You wouldn’t have gone home with that Fiore slut.”

“Another word out of you, and you’ll be getting just the basic bread and water.”

I walk away and into my office and close the door. Why did she want me to be with Susie, and what did they expect to happen if I’d gone out with Susie that night? Seriously—they must have the most convoluted plan in the world. It’s ridiculous.

Twenty minutes later, my phone rings and I don’t recognize the number, but it’s from the Rochester area code. “Stone here.”

“Mark. This is Soren Fiore.”

“What’s up?”

“So, as Mia’s brother, I thought it in my best interest to pull a report on you. In the process, my guy found something that you should know about.”

“First, I’m not bothered by that shit at all. Do what you have to, but your sister is everything to me. Second, what is it?”

“You have a hefty insurance policy out on you.”

“Yeah? Who’s the beneficiary?”

“A Nicole Blakely.”

“What?”

“Yes. It was taken out three years ago with a payout of two million in the event of your death before the age of thirty.”

“Fuck, I turn thirty in two weeks.”

“I noticed. I can have friends locate her.”

“That’s okay. I have her in custody, but that’s not it. She has people in on it. Keep Mia safe. I’ll be there as soon as I can. Can you send me that information? It will take me too long to pull it.”

“For sure, I will.” I end the call and summon Hart into my office.

“We have a situation. That bitch in that cell has an insurance policy out on me.”

“Do you think…the fire?”

“Yes. It was a setup to get me out there and then whatever happened, they didn’t get the result they were hoping for. I don’t know, but I need to get out of here and over to Rochester.”

“I overheard her threat about Susie. I think I’ll bring her in for questioning.”

“Sounds good to me. Keep me up to date, and stay out of their crosshairs. Contact our state agency for assistance.” As the sheriff, I should be handling the matters, but I’m just way too close to the entire situation in every way, from the fire to the possible suspects and the assault. I head home and pack a bag, noticing Susie’s boyfriend watching me from his car. I call Hart. “I need assistance outside my home. Dwayne Janke is sitting outside my home watching me from his vehicle.”

“I’m on my way. I’ll have State pick up Susie Miller.”

“Thanks.”

Two minutes later, Hart speeds through, pinning Dwayne’s car in. “Step out of the vehicle with your hands up, Janke,” Hart says over the speaker. When he doesn’t move, Hart repeats himself. “Did you hear me? Hands up and out of the vehicle.”

He finally does with his face cold and flat. “I don’t want trouble, but I can’t do this no more. I swear I’m not in for killing a cop.” He puts his hands on his head and surrenders without incident.

The rest of the afternoon is full of questions asked, charges filed, and lawyers requested. Larson is taking all three into custody and transferring them to their state facility to be brought up on additional charges, including fraud and attempted murder. Fuck. I didn’t realize how close I’d come.

“I have to go.” I say goodbye to my staff because I have to see Mia now. I need to hold her and remind myself that everything is going to be okay. I was supposed to be killed just in time for Christmas morning—a gift for my father from my birth giver. She wanted him to suffer as much as humanly possible. Dwayne was supposed to be the one to off me, but he couldn’t do it. He’s a petty crook, but that was too far for him.

Talk about a Christmas miracle that the bitch hadn’t hired a real killer.

I drive all the way to Rochester, knowing that I’m not leaving without my ring on Mia’s finger. Life’s too short to give it time. I knew she was mine the second she looked up and met my eyes. It’s the first thing I pick up from the store as I reach the downtown area. I found the best store with the most expensive rings. Shooting a text to Soren, he texts me back ten minutes later with the answer. I get the one that I feel is the best and head toward her parents’ home.