Chapter Nine

"Something I wanted you to see," said Edison. He and Theora were in in a small country cemetery, standing over Shanda McGregor's headstone.

"This has never happened to me before," said Theora.

"What do you mean?" Edison inquired.

"Me being so ... involved ... in a story," Theora replied, shaking her head. "I mean, normally, I try to keep my distance.

"For some reason, this story just … DID something … to me."

After a long pause, Theora continued. "I don't like doing this. It's … unprofessional."

"If it hadn't been for you, Shanda's killer would still be walking free," Edison reminded Theora. "I couldn't have done this without you.

"I had a puzzle with missing pieces. You filled in the gaps." After a pause, Edison then added, "Gorrister didn't have your skills."

Or your burglar tools, Edison thought with a quiet smile.

"I guess as time went on, I wanted this as badly as you did," said Theora.

Edison clapped a hand on Theora's shoulder. "Thanks for your help," he said.

Theora smiled. She and Edison stared at Shanda's headstone in silence.

THE END