“Damn it feels good to hold you,” Ricky said, spinning Vikki around in a circle.

“You almost have that sexy beard back, too.” She giggled and combed her fingers through the thick curls.

“Almost.” He leaned in and kissed her and then demanded more.

Someone cleared their throat behind him. “There are rooms away from us for that,” Miles said, making a gagging sound.

Preslie punched his arm. “Oh hush, you big baby.”

“Yeah,” Vikki said, snuggling closer to Ricky’s side. “What she said.”

Cooper walked into the room. “Well, looks like we are all free to leave soon.”

“Did they get the results back on the two bodies?” Ricky asked, stepping closer to Cooper.

“Giano and Dego. I’m not sure how you all did it, but you managed to kill the one and two in command.” Cooper shook his head. “The rest of the mob must be in an uproar.”

“Maybe,” Miles said, sitting down at the conference table. “Giano may have planned it all this way.”

“He planned to get killed?” Ricky asked, sounding confused.

“Well, maybe not that part, but he found a way to put the spotlight on someone else.”

“True.” Ricky spent the next hour detailing all that they had discovered about Erickson and Ella. “I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that Erickson was a dirty cop.”

“Yeah and imagine how I feel hiring the asshole.” Cooper combed his hands through his hair. “I will have to put stricter rules on the application process. This can’t happen again.”

“It’s not your fault,” Ricky said. “I have a feeling we’re not the only precinct that will be changing a lot of rules and regulations going forward. We had too many people on the inside that were helping Giano.”

“The Denver police chief called and let me know there was not a missing car in the garage.” Cooper shook his head. “They found the missing keys that were pulled from the box in a grease drain under a car.”

“Was the guy in the sweatpants helping Erickson and Ella?” Miles asked.

“He’s an associate.” Cooper nodded. “But we can’t confirm if he helped them escape.”

“And the footage was taken by the asshole, so there’s that.” Ricky rolled his eyes. “This whole case is exhausting. I may need a break, on a beach, with a sexy redhead.”

“What if I told you a secret,” Johnny said, standing up from the couch.

Cooper scowled. “Is it illegal?”

Johnny sat back down. “Maybe.”

“I need to go take a few files to archives.” Cooper didn’t look back; he just left.

“So does that mean I can share the secret?” Johnny sounded confused.

The door closed behind Cooper. “You can now.” Ricky laughed.

“Well…” Johnny paused. “Well, um…about that money.”

Ricky heard everyone in the room gasp. “Are we talking about that missing money Giano tried to kill Letizia for and then the rest of us?”

“Yeah, that money.”

“Is it close?”

“No, it’s about a six-hour plane ride away.” Johnny cleared his throat. “And you could get that island vacation after all.”

Ricky sat there for a moment, unsure how to process everything Johnny had just said. There was money, and it was still around. Giano had known someone had it.

“Well, son of a bitch, are you serious,” he said, trying to hold in a laugh. “We all have been running from Giano because of this fucking money.” He let out a heavy sigh. “Is there enough money to make this trip worthwhile?”

“Is two million enough?”

“Holy shit,” Miles gasped. “Are you fucking serious?”

“But the ledger stated less than five hundred thousand,” Letizia said, turning her head to the side.

“Lando and I did everything wrong.”

“Or you did everything right,” Vikki said, looking over at Letizia and Cristiano. “They are still alive.”

“Well, I lost two dear friends over this shit,” Johnny said. “I still don’t know if going to Giano for help and extra work was even worth it.” He sat down on a chair and bowed his head. “Especially because we put you all in this mess.”

“Hey,” Letizia touched his shoulder. “We have to go from here and now. If we sit and wonder and regret, it will get us nowhere.”

“I have a wacky idea?” Ricky said, chuckling.

“I’m afraid to ask.” Miles laughed.

“We all take a trip together. Go find the money together.”

Johnny lifted his head. “You all can have every last cent. It’s not mine to keep anymore.”

“Let’s figure that out later.” Ricky squeezed his shoulder. “Letizia’s right. You need to move forward now. The past is the past. We can’t change it, and some good things came out of the mess.” He looked around the room. “I have my old job back. Met an amazing redhead.”

“I met this killer chef while I was undercover in Minnesota,” Finley said, pulling Letizia closer.

“I can’t say I met Preslie in this mess, but my crazy job did bring her my way.” Miles winked at Preslie.

“And you reunited with your son.” Cristiano stepped forward. “I know you regret what happened to Ella, but I don’t think she ever wanted our love.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I want a family. Well, the family I have left I want to enjoy.”

Ricky walked over to the kid. “Hey, look around. Your family is huge.”

“Do you think Ella will ever come around?” Johnny asked

“No, I think we lost her several years ago. Giano and Erickson gave her a life she loved more.” Miles squeezed Preslie’s hand. “I guess it’s all about the choices we make, right?”

“Yeah,” Johnny whispered. “I worry about the people in their path now.”

Ricky knew he was right. Ella seemed angry from the moment he met her in Florida. Now her “Daddy” was dead, and she was on the run. He turned to Miles. “That reminds me, did you get a good look at Erickson when he came out of that room?”

“You mean the marks on him?”

“What marks?” Johnny asked.

“There were burn marks, cuts, and God knows what else all over his upper torso.” Ricky shivered at the thought.

“Yeah, and the sounds we heard when still on the main floor of the house were intense.” Miles shook his head.

“Are we talking about what I think we’re talking about?” Johnny scowled.

“Oh yeah, exactly that.” Ricky laughed. “I thought someone was being tortured.”

“Well, he was,” Miles said.

“But he liked it,” Vikki said. “So if they are both pissed…”

“Someone else will get to experience that torture.” Ricky nodded. “Which is why we need to find them before that happens.”

“I guarantee they are out of our jurisdiction by now, but we need to warn the authorities, though.” Miles walked over to his computer. “We added them to the most-wanted list, right?”

“I called and let them know to add Erickson,” Ricky said. “We need to get Ella on the list a-s-a-p.”

“So, are you sure we’re safe to go back to our normal lives?” Vikki said, pulling out a chair and sitting down. “As much as I like this place, I need my own bed.”

Ricky sat down next to her. “We’re safe. They’re long gone, trust me.”

“I do trust you, music man.”