Page 105 of Lost Hours
“You bought the inn. It could be no one else.” He shook his head. “And then to discover the cancer in the autopsy, and it was all for nothing.”
“Cancer?” Becca’s eyes flashed open. “What about cancer?”
“I’m sorry, Becca,” Mina said. “I didn’t want you to find out like this, but your father had terminal cancer and didn’t have long to live.”
She blinked. Closed her eyes and blinked again, tears now starting to flow. “He didn’t tell me.”
“He didn’t tell anyone,” Mina said, “except the attorney who was revising his will.”
“But why? Why keep it a secret?” She swiped a hand over her eyes. “I could’ve—would’ve—been there for him. Made it easier.”
“He wanted his last days to be as normal as possible,” Nolan said, as if that could make things better for her.
She shook her head. “It still stings, but at least I know I would’ve lost him no matter what this creep chose to do.”
“That’s a good way of looking at it,” Nolan said.
“How did you catch on to me anyway?” Osborne asked.
Mina shared all of the details. “One thing we haven’t figured out, though. How did you get the police academy graduation photos for the escape room?”
“Oh those.” A prideful look crossed Osborne’s face. “That was a nice touch wasn’t it? I have a friend who runs the academy, and he gave them to me.”
Mina glared at him. “When we take your formal statement, we’ll be wanting his name.”
“No, no.” He swung his head side to side. “I don’t want to get him in trouble.”
“Just like you had a choice in doing this,” Nolan said. “He had a choice in helping you, and he made the wrong decision. He needs to pay for it.”
Nolan heard footfalls and swiveled to see El, along with Deputy Ewing, charging toward them. His adrenaline had subsided, and his arm started throbbing more. He felt a bit lightheaded, but swallowed to fight it off. He couldn’t let Mina see that he was suffering. She’d been casting him worried looks, so he had to keep it together for her as she still had a lot on her plate to deal with here.
“El, good,” Mina said. “Take Osborne into custody, and make sure Becca is seen by a medic.”
She nodded and glanced at Ewing. “Get him in the back of the patrol car.”
Ewing advanced on Osborne, and Nolan stood. He had a rush of lightheadedness and closed his eyes for a moment while he breathed deeply. When he opened his eyes, Mina was watching him. He smiled at her to tell her he was okay, and she turned her attention back to Becca.
The young woman’s face had paled, and she was shivering. Shock. She was likely in shock. That wasn’t a surprise in the least.
Mina squeezed Becca’s shoulder. “Go with Detective Lyons. I’ll check in with you later to get your statement while it’s fresh in your mind. I don’t want to bother you now, but we want to be sure Osborne goes away for as long as possible.”
Becca gave a firm nod, but didn’t speak.
El clasped Becca’s elbow. “Come with me, and I’ll make sure you’re taken care of.”
Tears formed in her eyes. “You might be able to help with my physical issues, but there’s nothing you can do to make up for the horror of watching my father be murdered.”
Tears flowed in earnest, and she stumbled like she might collapse. El put her arm around her and supported her as they walked toward the cabin.
Nolan gritted his teeth and watched El lead Becca away.
Mina joined him.
“Becca’s right,” Nolan said. “Only a trained professional will be able to help her move on after seeing him murdered and then being kidnapped too.”
Mina grimaced. “I’ll make sure she has someone.”
“I can’t imagine the trauma she experienced standing next to her father as he was gunned down. That’s bad enough, but then becoming Osborne’s prisoner for days.” Nolan shook his head. “I wish we could’ve found her sooner.”
