Fatal Series 00 - Fatal Destiny

with her back to the car.
     
    Being with Scotty helped to put them in a festive mood. The boy was so excited to be included in the wedding that his excitement fueled hers.
    Freddie was waiting outside the house when they returned from Richmond. Sam introduced Scotty to Freddie and told Nick she’d join them inside in a minute.
    “What’s up?” she asked her partner.
    “We’ve done a thorough run on Gardner’s credit cards, bank statements and other receipts, and from what we can tell, he was in town on December 28, 2008.”
    A buzz of anticipation rippled through her. “Is that so?”
    Freddie nodded. “He’s not talking, though. Lawyered up big time.” Freddie named a prominent local defense attorney. “How do you want us to proceed?”
    Sam glanced at the warm light coming from her living room. “It seems I have other things I need to attend to in the next few days, so let’s put it on hold for now. Since Gardner isn’t going anywhere, I can have a go at him when I get back. In the meantime, if you and Gonzo want to dig into some of his known associates and see what you can find out, that would help.”
    “Will do, boss.” He looked down at the sidewalk and then at her, seeming chagrinned. “So I um talked to Elin. She’s coming tomorrow.”
    “Good for you.”
    “Thanks for giving me the push I needed.”
    “Any time. I’ll see you tomorrow?”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    Sam started up the ramp leading to her front door.
    “Hey, Sam.”
    She turned back to him. “Yeah?”
    “Enjoy every minute. You deserve to be happy.”
    Smiling, she said, “I will. Thanks.” Inside, she followed the sound of voices to the study where Scotty was dancing around in front of a wrapped package.
    “There you are,” he said. “Nick said I couldn’t open it until you were here.”
    Sam glanced at her fiancé. “Is that so?”
    “Well, the gift is from both of us to thank him for being in our wedding.”
    That was news to her.
    Nick smiled at her. “Go ahead and open it, buddy,” he said.
    Scotty tore the paper off the package and let out a shriek over the game system he found inside. “Oh wow!” he said. “This is awesome !”
    “There’re some games in there too. I wasn’t sure which ones you’d like, so we can take them back if you’d rather have others.”
    Scotty dug out baseball and hockey games, and Sam could tell from the boy’s expression that Nick had gotten it just right—as always.
    “This is so cool,” Scotty said, hugging Nick. “Thanks, Nick.”
    “You’re welcome. I figured it would be fun to have it here when you visit.”
    “Stay there for a second,” Sam said. “I have something for you too.” Her heart raced with excitement as she went upstairs to retrieve the gift she’d moved heaven and earth to acquire for them. She returned to the study a few minutes later. They were busy setting up the new game system, and Sam took a moment to watch the two of them, dark heads bent together in concentration as they kept up a steady stream of chatter. “Ready for another present?”
    Scotty jumped up, his eyes dancing with excitement. “This is better than Christmas!”
    Sam held out the envelope to him.
    Nick stood and looked over Scotty’s shoulder as he opened it.
    The boy let out a gasp and his face went flat with shock when he realized what it was. “No way. Oh my God. Oh my God !” He hurled himself into Sam’s arms, and as she held him close to her, she was caught off guard by a surge of love for the boy who might one day be theirs.
    “What’ve you got?” Nick asked.
    When he turned to Nick, Sam noticed tears on the boy’s face.
    “Red Sox tickets!” Scotty said. “ Fenway Park .”
    “Opening Day,” Sam added. “Against the Yankees—and Green Monster seats.”
    “ Wow , Sam.” Nick took a closer look at the tickets. “How’d you pull that off?”
    “I’ll never tell,” she said, thrilled by their reaction.
    “This is the best day of my whole life,” Scotty said, hugging Sam again. “Thank you so much.” Looking up at Nick, he said, “How will we get there?”
    Nick ruffled the boy’s hair. “I suppose we’ll fly.”
    “I’ve never been on a plane before.”
    “First time for everything,” Nick said, leaning over Scotty to kiss Sam. “Thank you.”
    “I racked my brain trying to think of something to get you for a wedding present—”
    “Nothing I’d rather have.”
    “That’s what I figured.”
    “Speaking of gifts,” Nick