Epilogue

When Kathy arrived at the diner Brampton was in their usual booth and his sombre face broke into a smile when he saw her. She slid into the opposite seat and reached across to squeeze his hand briefly before picking up the menu. Neither spoke.

Lucy approached and saw them sitting in silence. She’d read the report in the newspaper about the arrest of Dr. Rivers for the murders of two women, and she’d been expecting them for their post-review meeting. She took their orders quickly without the usual banter and turned away.

“How did it go with Rivers at the police station,” Kathy said at last.

He snorted. “He was a pompous ass. He spent some time being the professor taking us through just how well he’d performed the ceremony when he killed Catrina. He talked a lot about the curse and finally got around to what happened with Shaye. He still believes if he finds the right girl, he’ll marry her and they’ll be part of the legend and everything will be all right. Pompous, and delusional, too.”

When Lucy appeared with their coffee, he stopped abruptly. Kathy glanced up and said softly, “Thanks Lucy,” and the waitress withdrew.

Brampton dumped in two heaped spoonfuls of sugar, stirred and sipped. “He even talked about changing his name to Rivers-Stormont. I suppose he figures he’s earned legitimacy now and has the right to wear the name. He said history students in the future will come to see the tragedy and triumph of his part in the Stormont Dagger legacy. I’m not sure he’ll ever go to trial. He’s been taken to the psych ward, and it might be some time before he admits to himself these were murders of innocent women, not some inevitable chapter in some damned story or a step on the road to claiming his twisted heritage.”

Kathy put her elbows on the table and her chin in her hands and looked at him. “Shhhh,” she said and reached across to hold his hand. He felt his shoulders relax.

“Sandy, I talked to Madeline yesterday. She was upset but glad we found out who killed Shaye. Her husband is doing much better with the new therapy and she’s hopeful he will walk soon. As for the lawsuit, Jackson Junior at the law firm got her husband’s company to provide an unusually large settlement. I guess they didn’t want the PR nightmare of refusing to compensate a decorated war vet whose wife lost her sister to a deluded academic.” She smiled wryly. “Not while it’s fresh in the papers anyway.”

Brampton grunted in agreement. “Are you still training with Deborah?”

“Absolutely. It saved my life in the Ken situation, and you never know what’s lurking round the corner. Deb and I have become good friends,” she said. “We meet up regularly for tea or a drink, I enjoy her company.”

Lucy arrived with their breakfasts, put them down and quietly walked away, she was burning with curiosity, but relieved to see them chatting more cheerfully.

“Grant called me yesterday,” Kathy said, munching on her bacon. With the case solved, and feeling happy to be alive and well, she was indulging herself with eggs, bacon, mushrooms and home fries, plus some healthy blueberries on the side. “He thanked me for our work, for finding out what happened to the two women he loved. We talked about a few other things, and I found out he’s seeing a young lady who used to be his assistant. She’s moved to another firm so they’re free to date. I hope he finds true love, poor Grant, he really is a nice guy, like everybody says. He deserves it.” She sipped her coffee and sat back contentedly.

Brampton shrugged. “He’s had some rough luck. I hope he doesn’t worry too much about the possible fate of this latest love.”

Kathy looked horrified, then laughed. “Third time lucky?” she said, feeling guilty then gratified when he chuckled.

He watched her with affection, wondering what their next case would be. On the one hand he couldn’t hope for another crime to be committed just so he could spend more time with Kathy Chatsworth. On the other hand he knew it was inevitable. And he couldn’t help feeling glad.