Last Words: Delta Detectives, #4

By Stacy Green

A teenaged girl's tragic death appears to be an accident until Criminal Investigator Cage Foster discovers evidence of a hit and run. 

Cage's investigation reveals more than one person might have wanted the young girl dead. As Cage navigates through the web of lies and anger, a break finally comes. But just as Cage is ready to set a trap for a killer, his world is turned upside down.

With his unborn daughter's life hanging in the balance, Cage must decide between his family and finding justice for an innocent victim.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stacy Green
• Release date: Sep 19, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386317036

Stacy Green

About the author Born in Indiana and raised in Iowa, Stacy Green earned degrees in journalism and sociology from Drake University. After a successful advertising career, Stacy became a proud stay-at-home mom to her miracle child. Now a full-time author, Stacy juggles her time between her demanding characters and supportive family. She loves reading, cooking, and the occasional gardening excursion. Stacy lives in Marion, Iowa with her husband Rob, their daughter Grace, and the family’s three obnoxious but lovable canine children. Website: www.stacygreen.net Amazon Author Page Facebook Stacy Green, Author Twitter @StacyGreen26

Book preview

  1  

The stifling August heat had given them a break, at least for tonight. Fresh air replaced the blanket of stinking humidity, enticing the crickets to sing their maddening song. Several black swallowtail butterflies fluttered around the rosebushes Cage had spent a fortune watering over the summer, while others savored the few remaining blooms on the Queen Anne’s lace. With the humidity waning, he and Dani lounged on Ironwood’s back patio. These moments had become too few and far between lately.

It’s even cool enough I can stand to snuggle with you. She settled into the crook of his arm, her swollen tummy resting against his hip. At least for a while.

Their daughter kicked, and Cage softly rubbed the spot. At thirty-four weeks, the baby’s health was perfect. Dani’s worried him. She’d been diagnosed with pre-eclampsia in May, and bed rest seemed to ease the worst of the symptoms for a few weeks. She’d finally been allowed to move around more, and her legs and feet paid the price. Dani’s calves were swollen to the point of looking painful. Most of her shoes didn’t fit. This afternoon, the doctor ordered her back off her feet, and Dani cried herself nearly sick.

Cage didn’t know what to do to make her feel better. So he’d cooked a light supper and set her up on the patio where she could enjoy the evening. He kissed her forehead. I’m glad you’re feeling better about things.

The important thing is Emma’s okay. Her voice wavered. I’ll sacrifice comfort for her health, even if I cry about it sometimes.

Cage still couldn’t get used to hearing their daughter’s name. He kept referring to her as the baby. It seemed strange to call her by name when they hadn’t seen her face yet, except for the blurry image on the 4D ultrasound. She’d been sucking her thumb.

But I just hoped I’d be able to do a little more before she was born, Dani said. I hate having to disrupt everyone’s lives.

I know you do, Cage said. But I’m just thankful we have friends to rely on. We’d be up shit creek if we didn’t.

He couldn’t complain about a few extra shifts in the last few weeks, not with one of the deputies fighting cancer. The double whammy of radiation and chemo kept the poor guy from working at all.

Dani shifted, resting her swollen right leg over his knee. I’d just come to work with you. Set up a cot in the squad room.

I’m sure Gina would love that.

Speaking of, how is she doing? How’s Bobby?

Fine, as far as I know. He’ll be in Biloxi in rehab for several weeks instead of going to jail. She doesn’t talk much about her personal life. I don’t know how she keeps it bottled up at work. We all spend so much time together–who else is she going to talk to?

Some people are just like that, Dani said. I’ve never had that problem. I’m an over sharer.

I’m well aware, Cage said. Along with highly emotional and occasionally volatile.

She dug her fingers into his ribs. Don’t make fun of the pregnant lady. It’s against the rules.

Whose rules?

Mine. She shifted to face him, her expression devoid of the humor in her voice. The excess fluid had reached her face, the roundness making her look even more vulnerable. Are you scared?

Of what? Being a parent?

No. Worry made her already pale face even more pallid. Of something going wrong. So many things can happen, especially with all my complications. What if the cord gets caught around her neck? Or something happens to me? If it does, you need to make sure she knows I did everything I could to stay healthy. Her rushed words sounded like bullets in the quiet night.

Stop. He brushed her hair away from her face. Everything is going to be fine.

You don’t know that.

I believe it. He kissed her cheek and then her mouth, her lips tense against his. Listen, he said when he pulled away. Didn’t the doctor tell you stress would add to your problem?

How am I not supposed to be stressed over this?

I’m just saying you don’t have to let it control you. Worrying causes more stress, and that’s not good for Emma.

His phone vibrated on the glass table. Dani scrunched up her face like a child. Don’t answer it.

I have to. It’s work. He tapped the phone and pressed it to his ear. Foster.

Sorry to call you on your night off, Gina greeted him. Sirens called in the background, and Cage knew he’d be heading to work.

What’s up?

There’s been a single vehicle fatality on County Home Road. Teenager ran her dirt bike into a tree.

Cage’s heart sank to the newly washed brick of Ironwood’s old patio. He didn’t want to work a motor vehicle accident involving a kid, but he likely didn’t have a choice. Criminal Investigators assisted the deputies on the scene to make sure all the evidence was processed and the case properly investigated. He’d also have to inform the family.

Cage glanced at Dani. She shrugged her shoulders. I’ll be fine. Go if you have to.

He hated this part of the job. Being called at all hours of the night hadn’t been so bad when he was single, but the calls sucked in all ways now, especially with Dani’s situation.

I’ll be there as soon as I can. He hung up the phone. Dani was already shaking her head.

Don’t call Jaymee. I can take care of myself for one night.

I’m not leaving you alone.

All I’m going to do is go to the bathroom and then go to bed. Nothing’s going to happen.

She might be right, but Cage refused to take the risk. I need Jaymee here so that I can do my job. I can’t leave you alone.

That point reached her, just as he knew it would.

She kissed his cheek and then moved her legs so he could get up. All right, but you owe me an uninterrupted evening.

  2  

County Home Road bordered the western edge of Adams County, lazily winding through the swampy back country. Due to the lousy land conditions, few people lived on this stretch of road, but the area saw plenty of action, as the fields and nearby woods offered prime hunting activities. Most of the incidents involved poachers and were handled by the forestry officers. In his years as a deputy, Cage had only been on two calls out here, and both were drunken domestics between hunters.

Emergency lights glowed bright red in the distance. Cage slowed and carefully maneuvered around the wide turn. He parked his truck behind Deputy McKay’s cruiser and then took a moment to brace himself. Traffic fatalities were grisly, and knowing the victim was a teenage girl bolstered the building dread.

Although the road consisted of gravel and the occasional chunk of sand, County Home Road didn’t have a lot of twists and turns to deal with. Deer were the main risk, and Cage suspected one may have darted out in front of the girl and she’d lost control. But he wouldn’t know until he examined the scene.

His boots crunched on the gravel. The thud of his door shutting echoed in his ears, followed by the hum of tension that always accompanied a death scene. The sensation snaked down his spine and set his feet into motion.

The balmy night air battled with the reality of the scene. The medical examiner’s white SUV straddled the gravelly embankment. An ambulance was parked horizontally across the road, blocking traffic, while a young deputy stood by to direct traffic. His white face told Cage the kid had just witnessed his first fatality. He nodded when Cage flashed his badge.

Beneath the bright Klieg lights, Deputy McKay stood on the perimeter of the scene, resting his folded arms on his belly. Foster. Sorry we had to call you in.

No problem. Cage finally allowed himself to look at the carnage.

Ten feet in front of him, a small dirt bike lay on its side, its front and back ends badly damaged. Judging from the marks in the gravel, the driver hit the brakes hard, causing the bike to go into a full skid.

She was going fast. McKay pointed to a jagged rut. "I think she hit that sucker, the bike went one way, and she went another. Right into the tree. No