Crime Always Pays — #153 -The Final Chapter Back at the barn, Gabby laughed as the two untacked the horses. “Are you okay, Gabby?” The young girl nodded. “Raven, I’ve lived most of my life without my father. I hardly remember him. Now that I’ve received closure, I can move on with my life.” “A life of adventure?” Raven asked. Gabby shrugged. “What do you think I should do?” As Raven silently recounted the years, she decided she spent her best days living on the farm — quiet and safe.

Crime Always Pays — Chapter One Hundred-Fifty-Two Raven stepped from behind the tree, planting herself at the center of the crime. She wondered how it felt for Julian and Stan in the minutes after the gun went off. Large droplets splashed against Raven’s face as the trees swirled, and the memories came rushing back — fast and furious. That first night under her windbreaker. Foraging for dewberries. Releasing the trout into the stream.

Crime Always Pays — Chapter One Hundred-Fifty-One Leaving the horses to graze, Raven brought Gabby to the murder scene. “Raven,” Gabby gasped. Walk me through what happened.” Raven guided Gabby to the tree and motioned her to hide behind it. “I awoke that day and walked this path in search of adventure. I thought I was alone when suddenly I tripped on a trap. Suddenly, I felt someone watching me, so I hid.

Crime Always Pays — Chapter One Hundred-Fifty Despite Gabby's eagerness, Raven leisurely rode her horse through the pasture toward the forest. “Why are we moving so slowly, Raven? My flight back to California leaves later this afternoon. So we haven’t got all day.” “I want you to take in the land for all its beauty.” Gabby grimaced, missing Raven’s cheerful smile. “Maybe I won’t go back,” Gabby decided. “Life in the city is boring.”

Crime Always Pays — Chapter One Hundred-Forty-Nine At the stalls, Raven recounted her unforgotten memories. “The night of your father’s murder traumatized me. My boyfriend, Tyler, comforted me in this very barn.” “While the animals watched?” Gabby giggled. “Yes, while the animals watched, just after the storm.” Raven tacked the horses, handed Gabby a set of reins, then led her steed into the sunlight.

Crime Always Pays — Chapter One Hundred-Forty-Eight “Mom, this money. Will it help save the farm?” Raven asked. Frances nodded. “Magda,” Raven cried. “How can we ever thank you? This farm has been in the family for generations. Your substantial gift will not go to waste.” Raven turned to Gabby. “Hey, kid, do you want to see more of the farm you just saved? Let’s saddle the horses, and we’ll go for a ride.”

Crime Always Pays — Chapter One Hundred-Forty-Seven Magda motioned for Gabby to sit beside her. The eighteen-year-old eagerly complied. “I don’t understand,” Raven said. “Your gratitude is very generous.” “Thanks to you, Raven, the police froze Ray’s bank account and sold his mansion to repay the insurance money owed to us.” “But I thought the will named only Ray.” “Yes, but upon a search of Ray’s home, the police found a copy of their father’s revised will — albeit unsigned.”

Crime Always Pays — Chapter One Hundred-Forty-Six “Well, not officially,” Magda confessed, staring into Raven’s bewildered eyes. “I’m Julian’s wife. We spoke on the phone.” “Aw, yes, I remember.” Raven felt embarrassed for rushing the woman off the phone after just learning about her murdered husband. “I’m sorry I lied, but I didn’t believe at the time that I had anything to offer.” “Not to worry. The police brought me up to speed about Ray’s confession and your involvement in solving the case. I’ve come here to thank you.”

Crime Always Pays — Chapter One Hundred-Forty-Five Months passed without incident as Raven helped till the land. She loved getting down and dirty with the animals, knowing she was making her father proud. With Stan locked away, she relished living life on her terms. No longer anyone barking orders, no uninvited demands on her time. As she took stock of her life, highlighting moments like finding Tyler’s assailant, she decided it had all been worthwhile.

Crime Always Pays — Chapter One Hundred-Forty-Four “So, Monty, I hear you’re leaving town just as my free time’s opening up.” “I hardly call working the farm free time but suit yourself, Raven. I never understood what you’ve done these past years.” “Nothing as exciting as moving to New York to model. Look at you, Monty. You always were the best looking of the bunch.” “I’ll send you an autographed photo of me when I get situated.”

Crime Always Pays — Chapter One Hundred-Forty-Three Raven left the police station with no weight on her shoulders. She felt freedom at last. Back at the apartment, Angie tearfully watched Raven collect her things. “Angie, you’ve been a good landlord and friend. I’m sure going to miss you.” “My next roommate has big shoes to fill. I’ve met no one like you, Raven.” “Neither have I,” Raven laughed. “And thank God for that.”

Crime Always Pays — Chapter One Hundred-Forty-Two “So, tell me, Raven,” Officer Stein began. “What happened at your sentencing?” “I received a pardon for helping police solve more serious crimes.” “So, no consequences?” “It was just like you promised. The judge ordered community service at a place of my choice and time served. I plan to go back to volunteering at the library to start a reading group for abuse victims.”

Crime Always Pays — Chapter One Hundred-Forty-One “What’s going on?” Raven asked. “We solved the case. Ray cracked under pressure. Bookings processing him now.” “I’m dying to know the details.” “This is off the record, Raven. Don’t breathe another word.” Raven nodded. “Ray knew his father’s will named both boys to gain an equal share, but if Julian died, Ray became the sole beneficiary. Julian bragged he convinced their father to change it so Julian’s share would go to his estate, but he hadn’t yet made the changes.”

Crime Always Pays — Chapter One Hundred-Forty “Ray’s ready to make a deal. Take it or leave it. It’s the only way he’s talking.” Officer Stein knew why he despised lawyers, and Ramona Williams was a prime example. “What’s the deal?” “Full disclosure for immunity.” “I can’t agree on a deal until I know what he knows. Ray, you’ve got to give me something.” The rookie raced into the room before anyone said another word.

Crime Always Pays — Chapter One Hundred-Thirty-Nine “Great work, team,” Officer Stein said. “Thanks to you, the pieces of the puzzle fit. In a matter of days, we’ve revealed Stan’s crimes, solved Tyler’s assault and Misty’s murder, and I’m close to cracking the case of who murdered Julian.” “Who do you think did it?” Officer Hill asked. “All fingers point at Ray, but I need a confession. I watched his breakdown, but he’s now in with his lawyer. Unfortunately, we may have hit a snag.”

Crime Always Pays — Chapter One Hundred-Thirty-Eight “Where’s Chantal?” Jesse asked. “She’ll back me up. Ray’s clearly in this deeper than we knew, dragging us down with him.” “Don’t worry. We know Chantal’s involvement stops outside of making crank calls. You’ve both explained the demands made to Tyler and Misty and the subsequent actions, but what about Raven? Why did she only receive the calls? Why didn’t you ever come after her?”

Crime Always Pays — Chapter One Hundred-Thirty-Seven With separate officers interrogating the three suspects and hours of deliberation, the accused started talking — each in search of a deal. “Jesse, tell me about Tyler,” Officer Hill gleamed, preying on Jesse’s humiliation. “Ray told me Tyler was digging around and making him nervous. He wanted me to scare Tyler, to end his snooping.” “Why do you think Ray cared?”

Crime Always Pays — Chapter One Hundred-Thirty-Six “Ray, tell me everything you know. Why did Jesse think Stan killed Julian?” “It was my perfect lie. Everybody thought Stan was guilty. Even Stan. Everyone except for Tyler. He knew better. That’s what made him a target. Stan thought he was the only one in the forest that day, but he was wrong. Julian and I argued about putting our father in a senior’s home before racing off. He was visiting from California. I didn’t want to leave him around town, so I followed him.”

Crime Always Pays — Chapter One Hundred-Thirty-Five “Ray, I’ll make it easy on you. I’ll ask the questions. You give me the answers.” Ray nodded, clearly defeated. “You mentioned you hired Jesse to rough up those who came too close to learning the truth. What truth is that?” “I want my lawyer.” “We’ll get your lawyer, but Ray, she won’t help with those two aching to throw you under the bus. Talk now while the others are still here, and you won’t need to take the fall.”

Crime Always Pays — Chapter One Hundred-Thirty-Four “It’s usually the wives who crack.” Officer Stein smiled as Ray slunk into his chair. “How much more do you know?” Ray asked. “A lot, but Ray, I’d much rather hear it from you.” “What’s in it for me?” “Ray, this is quite a web you’ve all weaved, but Chantal and Jesse are pointing all fingers at you. Are you willing to take the fall?” “No way!” Ray sneered. “Nobody’s got clean hands. I’ll tell you everything if you promise me a deal.”