Crimes Past Page 25
“David and his dad used to fish all the time,” Bogie said.
“Well, it looks like the gang’s all here,” David said when he and Gabriel joined them.
“Did you catch anything?” Tonya asked. Gabriel opened the cooler to show her five fish. She uttered a “wow,” and gave him a thumbs up. “Looks like you take after your father’s side of the family when it comes to fishing.”
“I caught three of them.” Leaning over, Gabriel told her in a low voice, “I used a secret bait that my grandmother taught me about.”
Officer Brewster handed a gift bag to David. “For you, from all of us guys.”
David regarded the wrapped box with suspicion. “What have you guys done? We invited you to breakfast, and you brought me a present.”
“We’re only fifteen years late,” Bogie said with a chuckle.
With an arched eyebrow, David ripped the wrapping off to reveal a cigar box. “I should have known!” He opened the box to reveal the cigars encased in blue wrappers.
He gave the box to Mac to pass around for everyone to enjoy after their meal. When Gabriel tried to reach into the box, Mac pulled it back with an “uh-hah” sound and a shake of his head.
As their guests settled down to eat, David took Hope’s hand. “I’m glad all of you could make it today. I know this was short notice.”
“You invited all of us to a sunrise breakfast last night,” Tonya said while taking her seat next to Officer Fletcher. “That’s not short notice at all.”
“Well, I wanted you to meet Hope and Gabriel—though I’ve heard that Tonya got the word out pretty fast.”
“Email blasts are great!”
“In case you haven’t read your email,” David said, “Hope is a dear friend of mine from the past and Gabriel is our son.” He waited for the applause and shouts to quiet down before adding, “She did a great job raising him.” He gave Gabriel a playful head slap. “He’s a great kid, but he still has his moments.”
“Takes after his daddy,” Bogie said with laughter.
“Now here’s a piece of news that Tonya didn’t send out,” David said. “We have a surprise for you.”
“He’s engaged again,” Tonya said in a low voice.
“Wait for it,” Mac said.
“You’re not engaged?” Tonya asked.
“Yes and no,” David said.
“How can it be yes and no?”
“We’ve invited all of you here for a surprise wedding.” David slipped his arm around Hope’s shoulders.
“A wedding?” Tonya asked.
“That’s why she’s dressed in white,” Doc said.
“Why so fast?” Bogie’s eyebrows furrowed. “Is she pregnant?”
“Hope has to report back to duty on Tuesday morning. That means we need to get on the road tomorrow,” David explained.
“You’re not moving to Norfolk, are you, David?” Doc asked.
“No,” David said. “I’m taking a couple of weeks to go back with her and we’ll work out the details before I come back.”
“Most likely, I’ll commute back and forth on the weekends until I transfer over to the reserves. Gabriel will be living here with his father.” Hope smiled at David.
“As long as you aren’t taking David away from us,” Tonya said with tears in her eyes. “I’m okay with that.”
“Spencer is my home, Tonya.” David kissed her on the cheek. “We want to be a family. Gabriel is going to be my best man. Archie is the matron of honor.”
“What about Mac?” Bogie said. “You were the best man for his wedding.”
“Mac’s got a role,” David said.
Archie opened the door and Gnarly, dressed in K9 tuxedo galloped out onto the deck.
“According to the statute,” Mac said, “the mayor is certified to conduct weddings.”
Everyone stopped eating to regard the German shepherd sitting among them.
“All he asks for in payment is a chew toy.” Mac urged Gnarly to jump onto a bench under a rose trellis that they had set up to do the ceremony.
“What happens if any of us objects to the union?” Officer Fletcher asked.
“Object and you’ll find out,” Gabriel said with a wicked grin.
“A toast!” Mac held up a champagne flute.
Everyone followed suit.
Mac slipped his arm around Archie’s waist and pulled her close. “Here’s a toast to the future, a toast to the past.” He held out the glass to David, who was flanked by Gabriel and Hope. “And a toast to our friends, far and near.” He gestured to their friends. “The past is a bright dream.” He looked into Archie’s lovely emerald eyes. “May our friends remain faithful and clear.”
“That’s a beautiful toast,” Doc said. “Did you make it up for today?”
“It just came to me.”
Mac and Archie clinked their glasses and linked their arms to share the toast.
As the glasses were about to touch their lips, Gnarly jumped up to plant a paw on each of their shoulders. He glared at Mac.
“Okay, I confess,” Mac said. “I stole that toast from Gnarly. He wrote it in his book.”
“You did read Gnarly’s book!” Archie shouted.
“No!” Mac shook his head.
“Liar!” Archie pointed a finger, nail dipped in rosy red, at him. “How would you know Gnarly wrote that in his book without reading it?”
“Okay!” Mac said with a grimace at the broad smile across Archie’s face. “I read it! I read Gnarly’s book. I couldn’t put it down! Are you happy now?”
Gnarly’s howl drowned out the applause of the wedding guests. When he had finished, he licked his lips and winked at Mac.
The End
About the Author
Lauren Carr
Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Thorny Rose, Lovers in Crime, Mac Faraday, and Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries—over twenty titles across four fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!
Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor.
Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She lives with her husband and two German Shepherds, including the real Sterling, on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.
Visit Lauren Carr’s website at www.mysterylady.net to learn more about Lauren and her upcoming mysteries.
Check Out Lauren Carr’s Mysteries!
Order! Order!
All of Lauren Carr’s books are stand alone. However for those readers wanting to start at the beginning, here is the list of Lauren Carr’s mysteries. The number next to the book title is the actual order in which the book was released.
Joshua Thornton Mysteries
Fans of the Lovers in Crime Mysteries may wish to read these two books which feature Joshua Thornton years before meeting Detective Cameron Gates. Also in these mysteries, readers will meet Joshua Thornton’s five children before they have flown the nest.
1) A Small Case of Murder
2) A Reunion to Die For
Mac Faraday Mysteries
3) It’s Murder, My Son
4) Old Loves Die Hard
5) Shades of Murder (introduces the Lovers in Crime: Joshua Thornton & Cameron Gates)
7) Blast from the Past
8) The Murders at Astaire Castle
9) The Lady Who Cried Murder (The Lovers in Crime make a guest appearance in this Mac Faraday Mystery)
10) Twelve to Murder
12) A Wedding and a Killing
13) Three Days to Forever
14) Open Season for Murder
16) Cancelled Vows
17) Candidate for Murder
/> 23) Crimes Past
Lovers in Crime Mysteries
6) Dead on Ice
11) Real Murder
18) Killer in the Band
24) The Root of Murder (2019)
Thorny Rose Mysteries
15) Kill and Run
19) A Fine Year for Murder
22) Murder by Perfection
20) Twofer Murder
The Chris Matheson Mysteries
21) ICE
Attention Book-Clubbers!
Want to add some excitement to your next book club meeting? Are you curious about this mystery author’s theme regarding crimes from the past? Do you wonder where she picks up her inspiration for such interesting characters? What does she have planned next for Mac and Archie? Well, now is your chance to ask this international best-selling mystery writer, in person, you and your book club.
That’s right. Lauren Carr is available to personally meet with your book club to discuss Crimes Past or any of her best-selling mystery novels. Discussion questions can be found and downloaded directly from the book pages on her website.
Don’t worry if your club is meeting on the other side of the continent. Lauren can pop in to answer your questions via webcam. But, if your club is close enough, Lauren would love to personally meet with your group. Who knows! She may even bring her muse Sterling along!
To invite Lauren Carr to your next book club meeting, visit www.mysterylady.net and fill out a request form with your club’s details.
The Root of Murder
A Lovers in Crime Mystery
Homicide Detective Cameron Gates learned long ago that there is not such thing as a typical murder case. Each mystery is special in its own right—especially for the family of the victim.
The murder of a successful executive, husband, and father seems open and shut when the murder weapon is found in his estranged son-in-law’s possession. When J.J. Thornton agrees to act as the defendant’s public defender, he assumes his first murder case will be a loss.
Only the report of a missing husband proves that this open-and-cut case is not so simple. Strap on your seatbelts for a wild ride in this mystery that all started with a simple DNA test for a geneology website.
Coming Early 2019!