Page 104 of S.O.S. Perk

“Mr. Nelsin,” Perk confirmed.

“Right. And what better way than to also bring someone onboard who not only has mad computer skills, but is so socially inept that he’d do whatever she tasked him with?”

Melissa nodded now, rapt.

“She already knew Mr. Shultz from his few years of teaching Jeremy, so she simply donned her Sunday best, so to speak, and seduced the man.” Sloane addressed Melissa again. “You’re right that Schultz is a geek. And apparently the attention he got from this high-powered, rich-bitch siren was something he couldn’t pass up. Before you know it, he was happily doing her bidding,which included getting rid of Mr. Nelsin for her. He got Nelsin agreeing to meet in a remote spot down in Plymouth where he said he was staying, to give him ‘homework’ for Jeremy. Then Shultz shot him, point blank while handing it over. Jennifer Nelsin took possession of the gun thereafter, but we have all the ballistics reports, so we know it was the murder weapon.”

“Wow.” Melissa shook her head. “Who knew? Such intrigue, and right here in our little high school.” She frowned. “Did I understand you correctly, though? Mr. Shultz actually…shot Mr. Nelsin?”

“Uh, huh. Shot him, and ditched him in a pond in Plymouth.”

“Okay. I’m done.” Melissa slapped her hands on her desk and stood up. “Right now I need that drink.”

EPILOGUE

“You think Melissa will be alright?” Perk asked Sloane, finally back in bed at Perk’s after they’d plied Mel with alcohol and taken her home

Sloane laughed and yawned. “Yeah. She’s a trooper. And you saw how happy she was for us. I’m thinking that will go a long way toward mitigating all the shit we dumped on her.”

Perk nuzzled her neck. “I’m glad. I like her, and I’m happy she’s your friend. I don’t suppose…”

“Suppose what?” Sloane asked, nuzzling his chest with her nose.

“Suppose she’d be up for being your maid of honor.”

Sloane bit him. “Stop,” she snickered. “You haven’t even asked me to marry you, yet.”

“I haven’t?” Perk answered with a quizzical smirk. “Well, I guess I’ll just have to remedy that.”

He reached down for her right hand, lifted it, and tugged the friendship ring off her finger.

“Hey. What—?”

Perk didn’t answer, but got out of bed and went down on one knee beside the mattress. “I promised I’d incorporate this ring into your engagement band, so for this moment, I obviously couldn’t have a new one at the ready. That means this baby will have to do.” He cleared his throat.

“Sloane Vessers. Love of my life. Woman of my dreams, and one who can kick my ass if I get out of line. Will you marry me?” He held up the band he’d given her before, looking hopeful.

Sloane adored this.

Perk was naked, kneeling, with a look on his face that was so expectant…

She wished she could take a picture, but she didn’t want to spoil the moment. Not that she’d ever forget it. This would be seared into her memory for as long as she lived.

Sloane gazed at Perk with all the love she had in her heart—so much, she felt like it was bursting out of her chest—and held out her left hand.

“Of course I’ll marry you,” she answered as he slipped on the ring. “I love you.”

Perk was exactly the man she’d been waiting for all her life.