Part 23 (1/2)

The smile on Alex's face as he pulled her to her feet told her he knew what had happened, too.

He turned to Mike. ”Don't pay any attention to her. She just had the shock of her life. She's disoriented.” He gathered Cynthia into his arms and gazed into her eyes. ”Besides, I'm a little shocked, too.”

Carpenter moaned and opened his eyes. Mike yanked him to his feet and hustled him toward the door. ”C'mon, buddy, you're headed for a cell not much bigger than this closet.”

Mike paused at the doorway and looked over his shoulder. ”Alex, are you sure you two are okay?”

Alex smiled at Cynthia then at his partner. ”Actually, up until this very moment, I haven*t felt much like myself, but now everything is fine, just fine. I have a little unfinished business to tend to and I'll be right with you.”

He bent his head and claimed Cynthia's lips to finish the kiss they started back in her apartment on that oh so dreadful day. This time, the sparks were legitimate.

Epilogue.

Three Weeks Later Alex sat with Cynthia on the same threadbare sofa in her apartment they had shared on their first date. He turned and gazed lovingly into her eyes. ”It's sure nice to be looking at you like this.”

”I know what you mean,” she agreed. ”I can't believe the horror is finally over. I think after what we survived, we can get through anything.”

”I agree, but I can't stop thinking about Thomas Carpenter. Isn't it strange how a person's mind can work when something drives them over the edge?”

”Would we have ever solved this case if you hadn't been kidnapped?”

”I'd like to think so, but I was sure wrong about the perp. I can't believe Carpenter thought he could rid the world of all the women who looked like the one who aborted his child. That doll and blanket bit represented the son he'd never have. The whole thing is kinda sad. I know he hated her, but....”

Cynthia pressed her hand over his mouth. ”Hush, let's not talk about it anymore. The nightmare is over.”

He took her hand from his mouth and held it. ”I do feel like I'm still dreaming,” he said, as he placed her hand back to his lips and kissed her palm.

She reclaimed her hand and caressed his cheek. ”I hope it's a good dream, this time.”

”I'd say it's pretty good.” He swiveled and faced her. ”Do you remember what I said to your brother?”

She thought for a moment. ”You said lots of things to Kevin.”

”Something about marriage...” Alex hinted.

”Oh that something,” she chuckled. ”I believe you announced that we were engaged.”

”Well, then...” Alex slid off the couch and dropped to one knee. ”I have a very important question for you.”

He reached into his pant's pocket, retrieved a small, black velvet box, then grasped her left hand. He raised his gaze. ”Cynthia Freitas, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

She gasped and covered her mouth with her free hand. ”You...you aren't kidding me?”

”I'm very serious,” he a.s.sured her. ”If you can stick with me through what we've just been through, then married life should be a snap.” He opened the box and revealed a sparkling, solitaire diamond.