Page 208 of Broken
Z walked over. “Can I talk to you before I leave?”
“Of course,” she replied.
“I’m sorry I put you in danger,” Z began. “Are you okay?”
“I will be,” she replied. “I’m amazed Maul was able to fool law enforcement for his entire career.”
“Like a lot of serial killers, he was living a double life. He was good at covering his tracks, good at breaking the law while upholding it at the same time.”
“My job here is done, so I’ll have to return to the task force.”
Z glanced at Prescott, then back to her. “Would you like to stay here?”
“Absolutely,” she replied.
“I’ll see what I can do. Are you open to change?”
“Depends on what it is,” she replied.
“Understood,” Z said. “I’ve had enough excitement for one night. I’ll see you both tomorrow.”
After the police left, and the coroner’s office had removed Maul’s body, she regarded Prescott. “Thank you for saving my life.” She pulled him close and kissed him, letting her lips linger on his.
“Thank you for giving me mine back.” He caressed her shoulders. “You stopped shaking.”
She nodded. “You want to head up to the house?”
“What I want is to ask you to be my wife,” he said. “Is that too crazy?”
She grinned up at him. “The only thing that would be too crazy is if you asked and I said no.”
He got down on one knee. “You are the best part of my day and the best part of my life. I don’t have a ring, I haven’t even met your mom and dad, but I’m so in love with you, I can’t think of a better way to turn this day around.”
Leaning down, she kissed him. “I agree.”
“Jacqueline Eleanor Hartley—my beautiful, brilliant Jack—spend the rest of your life with me. I will put you first, treasure you every single day, and love you forever. Will you marry me?”
She captured his face in her hands and kissed him. “Absolutely. I would love to be your wife. I would love to be Ethan’s stepmom, and maybe even have a few more of our own.”
“You are all in,” he said with a smile.
“I love you Prescott McCafferty Armstrong, and I can’t wait to go on a normal date with you.”
On a laugh, they came together in a loving kiss. He swept her into his arms and strode out of the barn.
On the way toward the house, she said, “Should we tell your family or keep it a secret?”
“We gotta tell ‘em. It’s the good news everyone needs to hear right now.”
After walking up the porch steps, he set her down. “Ready?”
She clasped his hand. “I’m ready for anything, as long as it’s with you.”
28
CLOSING THE CASE
Jacqueline
