Epilogue

First Week of December…

I t was early in the evening during the first week of December, and Doreen was curled up in Mack’s arms, a blanket wrapped around their shoulders, as they sat by the river, both holding cups of hot chocolate. Goliath and Mugs were lying beside them, and Thaddeus had curled up under the blanket with them.

“It’s getting colder but still no snow. That’s unusual for here, according to all the locals,” she murmured. “I can’t believe Christmas is around the corner.”

“And getting closer.” Mack laughed. “And you’re inundated in party preparations, aren’t you?”

“I am.” She chuckled. “Not sure how I was conned into doing a lot of the preparations for a party that’s being given in my honor though.” She shook her head. “After more than a decade of no Christmas in any form while I was married, I have to admit that I’m enjoying myself.”

“And it’s keeping you out of trouble, so it works for me too.”

She punched him lightly in the arm. “Amazing to think that peace and goodwill may preside over the holidays. Yet I thought I read somewhere about violent crime rates rising over the main holidays.”

“I think that’s true. It’s stressful for many people. Anytime there is added stress, then eruptions occur.”

“True, but, in my mind, a surprise stabbing because someone didn’t get a diamond ring, when they live on an instant-noodles income, isn’t quite the same.”

He nodded. “Maybe not. But what about the young man who wants to buy his girlfriend a diamond ring but can’t afford it, so goes on a crime spree to get the money to buy it?”

“If that’s what’s required to keep her love, then, first, it wasn’t love and, second, she isn’t worth ruining his life over. But I get your point.” She twisted to look up at him. “You don’t have a new case, right? You’re not just keeping it from me?”

“Nope, no new case.” He tucked her closer to him, pulling the blanket around her shoulders. “And that’s a good thing, as we have a mess of paperwork to do. Someone keeps solving the cold cases we have backed up, as well as meddling in our current cases. I have to tell you, this person is good, but she’s there for the excitement. Yet the puzzling part is, unfortunately she’s always there for that dangerous end too. However, when it comes to the cleanup,… she’s nowhere to be found.”

She turned to him in outrage. “You know I would be if I could be.”

His laughter rolled down the stream and then grew louder.

“ Shh . You’re making too much noise.”

“We’re hardly disturbing anyone.”

At that, a loud snort sounded behind them.

She turned at the noises that followed, surmising Richard propping his chair against the back fence and poking his head over the top. “Good evening, Richard. Isn’t it a nice evening out?”

His gaze widened. “Are you nuts? It’s friggin’ cold out here. It’s December, in case you don’t have a calendar.” He cast one more glance at them and then disappeared down on the other side, mumbling something about crazy people.

She burst out laughing. “Have a good night,” she called back to him, struggling to stifle her giggles.

When Richard slammed his door, even Mack joined in with her laughter.

His phone rang just then. Shifting the blanket to find his phone, Mack checked the number, then stood and walked a few steps away. “Mack here. What’s up?” He listened for a moment, then turned to look at Doreen.

That was a signal she absolutely recognized. She moved Thaddeus to her shoulder and rose, with the blanket wrapped about the two of them.

“Did you say mistletoe?” Mack asked.

She froze at that and turned to face Mack in delight.

His frown deepened as he glared at her. “No, sir.… Yes, sir. You’re correct. I’ll be right there.”

She beamed at him. “Mistletoe?”

“Yeah, but it doesn’t concern you.” He walked closer, adding, “Yet it does mean I have to leave. So Merry Christmas and all that stuff.”

“Shouldn’t it be Merry Mistletoe this time?”

He spun to look at her. “What did you say?”

“ Merry Mistletoe ,” she repeated. “Makes a great case name.”

“Oh no you don’t. If I let you anywhere near this one, it would be madness.” He shook his head and nudged her toward the house. “Time to go inside, as I have to leave.”

“I could stay outside,” she protested but more just for fun, as without his incredibly radiating body heat, she was already starting to shiver. Then she stopped and laughed. “That’s even better.”

“What is?” he asked, as they reached the patio.

“ Merry Mistletoe Madness ,” she crowed.

He stopped to glare at her. “Nice try. It’s a current case. Nothing cold about this one.”

“So maybe it’s time I move into current cases,” she suggested, her eyebrows lifting and lowering in a Groucho Marx move.

“Heck no.” He opened the back door, moved the clan inside, before locking and closing it behind them. He picked up his keys and headed to the front door.

“It has a lovely ring to it,” she cried out. When he glared at her, she batted her eyes at him, a big grin on her face.

“Oh no.” With a headshake, he gave her a quick kiss and was gone.

She stepped out on the front porch. “ Merry Mistletoe Madness it is!”

Richard poked his head out the front door. “Anything to do with you and mistletoe would make anyone mad.” And, with that, he retreated and slammed his door.

Unperturbed, Doreen walked inside, with joy in her heart. She had no clue what was happening in terms of murder and mistletoe, but it meant one thing. There was a new case. All she had to do was tie a cold case to Mack’s current case, and then she was in! With that thought uppermost in her mind, she had to figure out her next move.