Merrville County

  Deputy Newsome's residence

  Dave pulls into his driveway after a night of celebrating with the boys--sans the alcohol. No designated driver for him tonight. He is the designated driver. Finally, after two months, Merrville County can breathe a collective sigh of relief. Aquarius is dead.

  Dave carefully shuts the driver's side door of his truck and heads for the house. His mouth turns up into a wide grin when he spots Hazel's Mercedes parked under the trees beside the garage. Hazel, Hazel, Hazel.

  Shaking his head, Dave walks with renewed vigor towards the front porch.

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  Sometime later

  Hazel drops down beside Dave on the mattress, her body moist with sweat and trembling. Dave angles his head to kiss Hazel's right shoulder, simply grateful for her presence.

  "I'm proud of you," Hazel says, cupping one side of Dave's face. "You never gave up. No matter what that damn case was doing to you. No matter what you had to do. You never gave up. A dangerous man is dead. And I think you and Detective Mackey have a lot to do with that. I love you, Dave."

  "I love you too, Hazel," Dave says, taking one of Hazel's hands between his own and kissing it. "You don't know how much it means to me to hear you say that. I know you've said it before, but it means a lot more now. I don't care how angry your father gets, baby. I want to marry you. Right now."

  "Dave, please don't start. I told you, I can't do that to my Dad. Not now."

  "What does your dad have to do with this, Hazel? He's not the one who will be marrying you? I am. I want you, Hazel. More than just sexually. I want you to be my wife. I'm tired of sneaking around. I want to kiss you, and hold your hand, in public. I want to drive you around in my shiny big truck, and not give a damn who sees us. Well, maybe not the truck. I might lose my job. I can't live like this forever, Hazel. It's tearing me apart. It's also a dangerous tightrope to walk...In regards to my job. If your father finds out the wrong way...There could be trouble. I want to be the one to tell him. Or, we can tell him together. But we have to tell him."

  "Dave, no. I can't," Hazel says, her eyes growing large. "I can't."

  "Why not? Why can't you tell him? It's not as if I'm some kind of drug kingpin, Hazel. It's me. Your father knows me. We've worked with each other for years. What happened between me and your mother was many years ago. It's ancient history. I could have said 'no'...That day, out at the cabin. I should have. But like I told you...I have feelings for you. I have for a long time. I was just afraid to say so. People in this county are funny about certain things. They expect to see old men running around with young women on their arms. But it wasn't about that for me. I like you, for you...Hazel. I know that sounds corny, but it's true. I love your style, and the way you dress. The clothes you wear drive me wild. I love your walk, your body, and your face. Your voice and your laugh...I don't think I can live without them. And the way you make love to me. Oh jeezus, Hazel. You have no idea what you do to me. Before we got together, I was seriously considering retirement. I was gonna put some money down on a boat and fish my life away. Buy a little summer cottage, somewhere out of the way, and live off the land. I wanted to disappear from it all."

  Dave pauses his soliloquy long enough to grasp Hazel's chin and kiss her deeply. Hazel wraps both arms around Dave's shoulders, anchoring him to her. Dave separates their lips and peers down at Hazel's perplexed face.

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  "Then, Aquarius showed up. That murdering bastard showed me what I've been missing in my life. What I've taken for granted. Rose Perry and Bridget Davis were both someone's lover. And Aquarius took them from those they love. He took away their love. Madison was lucky. Mackey's theory was that the killer was gonna try to murder twelve girls. We all got lucky that he lost what was left of his mind before that happened. He snapped. And that allowed our team to take him down. I'm not gonna miss out on the best thing that ever came my way. Either you tell your father or I will."

  "Errr, Dave! Just...Errr!" Hazel moans, her bottom lip trembling. "You don't understand. You can't tell my father!"

  "Why, Hazel? Why?" Dave says, grasping Hazel's shoulders and lightly shaking her. "What are you so afraid of?"

  "You wouldn't understand!" Hazel yells.

  Climbing hurriedly from the bed, Hazel scrambles to grab her clothes. Dave's face contorts with his surprise and bewilderment. He climbs out of bed as well. Hazel is halfway across the room, when Dave catches up to her. He pulls Hazel against his chest, the sobs racking her frame tearing his heart into pieces. Dave spins Hazel to face him, his eyes studying her face in the dim light.

  "Hazel, what is it? Every time, I bring up marriage...It's another excuse. What aren't you telling me?" Dave says in a hoarse whisper.

  "No, Dave. I'm sorry," Hazel says, wriggling out of his grasp. "I'm sorry."

  Dave's brow creases deepen as Hazel rushes into the bathroom with her clothes. Even with the door shut, he is able to hear the loud sobs issuing from her throat. Minutes later, when Hazel emerges, Dave is once again lying in bed. Hazel glances in his direction before leaving the room. Dave lets out a deep sigh and lies back on the pillows. The soft purr of Hazel's Mercedes, as it meanders down the driveway, stirs sadness in Dave's breast.

  He waits until Hazel is truly gone before climbing out of bed. Fully dressed, Dave grabs his truck keys from the nightstand.

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  Clark Cemetery

  Dave slowly drives his Ford up the winding road leading to the cemetery entrance. The truck's headlights are turned off, so as not to alert Hazel to his presence. Stepping out of the cab and quietly shutting the door, Dave makes his way to where he believes Hazel will be. Sure enough, he is correct.

  Hazel is seated on the ground in front of her mother's grave. Once again, the young woman is sobbing uncontrollably, one hand braced on her mother's headstone.

  "Why, Mom? Why did you do it? I'm...I'm all he has now. We haven't seen or spoken to Chrissy in years. She hated you for what you did. I never could. She hated the idea of being trapped here. Chrissy was always looking for a reason to leave us. You gave it to her. I guess...She was meant for better things. Better things than silly Merrville. I really miss you, Mom. I wish you were here. Then, I could marry Dave. And Dad...He wouldn't be so alone."

  Dave walks as quietly as he can. He stops only a few feet behind Hazel, staring at her trembling back. He contemplates whether or not to speak. In the end, he decides it is better to at least say something.

  "Hazel?"

  Hazel turns to look at Dave, a shocked expression on her face. Dave goes to her and drops down onto his knees. He wipes the tears from Hazel's damp cheeks with his thumbs. When that is done, he kisses her forehead.

  "You followed me?" Hazel gasps in astonishment. "How long were you there, Dave?"

  "Not long," Dave reassures her. "But long enough. Why did you run out on me again? And why are you visiting your mother's grave at two-thirty in the morning? What did Bernadette do, Hazel? Tell me."

  Hazel tries to shift her gaze away from Dave's face. However, the deputy brings her head back straight, forcing Hazel to make eye contact. He plants tiny kisses on her red lips over and over, coaxing her to open up.

  "Tell me, Hazel. I'm not letting you go until you do," Dave sighs.

  "My mother," Hazel says between kisses. "She became...Lonely. She had an affair. Before Chrissy was born. My dad isn't Chrissy's father. Mom was very clear. She told Dad that it couldn't be you. It was someone else. But, he didn't believe her. Because she said she'd loved you. That she still loved you. He believes she was covering for you. That's why he's such a hardass. He really hates you, Dave. I'm so sorry."

  Hazel sighs as Dave moves on to her neck. Without warning, Dave stops kissing Hazel's throat and rises to his feet. Hazel looks up at him in surprise. Scrunching up his face, Dave reaches down and scoops Hazel into his arms. Hazel opens her mouth to protest, but Dave puts an end to that with a firm kiss.

  "We're going to see your dad," Dave says resolutely.

  "Now?" Hazel gasps.

  "Yes, now. I can't think of a better time."