Chapter 9 - THE TEN COUNTS
The flashing red and blue lights of the police cruisers illuminated the massive oak tree in the garden.
Kieran sat on the edge of the ambulance bumper, holding a sleeping Flora tightly against his chest. The little girl had finally stopped crying, exhausted by the terror of the night.
A few feet away, paramedics were bandaging Annie’s shoulder.
The cut was deep, but it had missed the major arteries. She was pale, wrapped in a shock blanket, but she was alive.
Kieran watched as two officers escorted a handcuffed Miranda out of the front doors.
Her expensive silk dress was ruined, covered in dirt and blood. She looked up and locked eyes with Kieran.
There was no smugness left. No cultured Boston accent. Just the hollow, defeated look of a woman who had gambled everything and lost.
Moments later, Julian was dragged out by Marcus himself, his face bruised, his hands cuffed heavily behind his back.
The lead detective walked over to Kieran.
“We have the micro-SD card from the watch, Mr. Ashbourne,” the detective said quietly. “It has enough evidence to put Julian away for life. Extortion, fraud, and the murder of Thomas Mercer. And with the flashlight and your testimony… we have him for your wife’s murder, too.”
Kieran nodded slowly, a profound, crushing weight finally lifting off his chest.
“And Miranda?” Kieran asked.
“Attempted murder, kidnapping, fraud, and conspiracy,” the detective replied. “She won’t see the outside of a cell for decades.”
The detective tipped his hat and walked away to direct his men.
Kieran took a deep breath of the cool night air. He stood up, shifting Flora’s weight in his arms, and walked over to the back of the ambulance where Annie was sitting.
Annie looked up as he approached. She tried to stand, but flinched, clutching her bandaged shoulder.
“Sit, Annie. Please,” Kieran said softly.
He sat down next to her on the bumper.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke. They just listened to the quiet hum of the ambulance engine and the rhythmic breathing of the little girl sleeping between them.
“You saved her life, Annie,” Kieran whispered, looking down at his daughter’s peaceful face. “You saved both of us. And you brought my wife justice.”
Annie smiled weakly, a tear slipping down her cheek.
“I promised her I would protect Flora,” Annie said softly. “And I meant it.”
Kieran looked at the young woman beside him. He saw the fading purple bruise on her cheek where Miranda had struck her.
“You don't have to be a maid anymore, Annie,” Kieran said, his voice thick with emotion. “I have a trust set up. You can go to college. You can buy a house. You can do whatever you want.”
Annie looked down at her hands.
“I don't want to go anywhere, Mr. Ashbourne,” she whispered. “I love Flora. She’s… she’s the only family I have left.”
Flora stirred in Kieran’s arms.
Her large, innocent eyes fluttered open. She looked up at her father, and then she looked over at Annie.
Flora reached out her small hand and placed it gently over Annie’s uninjured arm.
“You’re not going to leave, are you, Annie?” Flora mumbled sleepily.
Annie smiled, her heart breaking and healing all at once.
“No, sweetheart,” Annie whispered, squeezing the little girl’s hand. “I’m right here.”
Kieran felt a warmth spread through his chest that he hadn't felt in three long years.
He leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to Flora’s forehead.
“She’s not going anywhere, Flora,” Kieran said firmly.
He looked at Annie, his dark eyes filled with absolute, unwavering gratitude.
“Because this is her home now. For as long as she wants it.”
Flora smiled, resting her head against her father’s chest, her hand still holding Annie’s.
“Daddy?” Flora whispered, her eyes drifting shut again.
“Yes, baby?”
“I don't have to count anymore, do I?”
May you like
Kieran’s throat tightened. He reached out and placed his free hand over Annie and Flora’s joined hands.
“No, sweetheart,” Kieran promised, tears finally falling from his eyes. “No one in this house will ever hurt you again.”
