"You sure you're all right?" Fenton demanded in a voice thick with emotion.
"I'm fine," Joe assured him. "Gray is here," he added.
"Put him on," Fenton commanded.
Joe handed the cell back to Gray. "He wants to talk to you," he said.
"Excuse me," Gray said, moving away to converse with Fenton in private.
"Sir, Killian wants to speak with you," an officer said to the chief from the doorway.
Harmon left the room, closing the door and locking Joe and the Gray Man inside. Joe crossed his arms on the table and laid his head down. All of the sudden he felt incredibly tired. Gray returned and sat down in the chair vacated by Harmon. "I told your dad I would have you home before morning," he said.
"Will I get to leave?" Joe asked, raising his head and looking at Gray.
"Yes," Gray answered without any trace of hesitation. "O'Neil's death was unfortunate but it was an accident," he said. "And, had he lived, he would probably have spent several years, if not the rest of his life, in a mental facility. His reasoning was unbalanced and that is a very dangerous thing for a man with his training."
Fenton hung up the phone, wiped his eyes, and took a few calming breaths before returning to the dinner table.
"Who was on the phone?" asked Frank anxiously, seeing his father's bloodshot eyes.
"Joe," Fenton answered, smiling and breathing a bit heavily as another wave of relief washed over him.
"Joe?" gasped Laura in surprise.
"Where is he? What about O'Neil? Did he get away or did O'Neil just let him call?" Frank fired off questions.
"Joe escaped," Fenton informed everyone. "Unfortunately, in doing so, he killed O'Neil. Joe is under arrest in Amarillo for murder."
"But it was an accident!" Laura protested. "Joe would never intentionally hurt anyone let alone kill someone."
"Shh!" Fenton tried to calm her. "Gray was with Joe when he called. Gray assured me that under the circumstances they don't have a case against Joe. He promised to bring him home as soon as he was released."
"When will that be?" Camille asked.
"He should be home by daybreak," Fenton answered.
"I'm so glad!" Camille enthused, her eyes misting. "I guess you have some things to do so I'll call Dad to come and pick me up now."
"I'll take you home," offered Frank.
"Thank you," Camille accepted the offer with a smile. "I would appreciate that."
Frank stood and began clearing the table. "I'll help," Camille offered.
"No, dear," Laura refused her help as she stood and began helping Frank. "You've been such a comfort this afternoon. Just take it easy. Frank will be ready in a few minutes to drive you home."
"If you're sure?" Camille asked, looking hesitant.
"Positive," Laura replied, smiling and taking the dirty dishes from Camille. She followed Frank from the room leaving Fenton to chat with Camille.
"Frank," Laura said in a hushed tone after letting the kitchen door close behind her. "What your friend overheard...Camille told me about it. She was very upset and with good reason. I've had problems at that salon myself."
"So she has your stamp of approval?" Frank inquired, quirking an eyebrow and grinning.
"Definitely," Laura said. "I like her. She seems genuinely interested in Joe. A lot like Iola was but Camille has more spirit."
"Something Joe noticed right off the bat," Frank put in.
Laura nodded. "She's fresh, but in a nice way. I think she will be perfect for Joe."
"Okay," Frank said, kissing his mom's cheek. "I'll treat her like I treated Vanessa," he promised. "Now, I had better get her home because we're going to need a nap before Joe gets home."
"Yes," Laura agreed, smiling happily. "Joe will have a lot to tell us when he gets here."
"Thanks for the ride, Frank," Camille said when Frank pulled to a stop in front of her house.
"Any time," Frank told her. "And thank you," he added. "You really helped mom through this."
"No thanks necessary," she replied. "I was glad to do it. I like your mom."
"I'll have Joe call you in the morning," he promised as she got out.
"Thanks," Camille said. "See ya," she added before hurrying up the sidewalk and into her house.
"He's gone," Judge Lane said from by the window less than a minute after Camille had entered.
"Did you get Fenton to access the gift card records?" Matt asked Camille.
"I did," acknowledged Camille, smiling slowly as she continued. "But he didn't get that far."
"Explain," her father ordered.
"Hardy was on his way to look into it but was stopped by a phone call," she told them, relishing the look on Matt's face as it transformed from concern to curiosity and...amazement. "It was Joe. Not only did he escape, but he killed O'Neil in the process."
Matt burst out laughing. "I knew he had it in him!" He declared in admiration.