They caught the bastard. It was a rough case based around only one piece of strong forensic evidence—the dirt that was found in the suspect's shoes was an exact match to the dirt outside one of the victim's homes and the dumpsite.
There was fear that wouldn't be enough, that they needed more, but the DA went for it and brought it to trial.
Jared Kelp was found guilty and sentenced to twenty-five years to life.
Flack had been at every moment of the case that he could spare. When he heard the verdict he took a long deep breath, smiling at the sight of the victim's family…all of the victims' families finally having some sort of peace as they hugged and cried.
He meant to go home after that, he headed that way, but he still wasn't surprised when he pulled the car up in front of Stella's apartment.
She smiles when she opens the door and sees him there, her hair is ruffled, and she's in sweatpants. There isn't a bit of make-up on her face.
"They found him guilty, Stel, 25 to life."
"Oh Don, I'm so glad. I'm…"
He's kissing her before she's finishing the sentence. He kisses her because she's beautiful, because she's the only person who understood how he felt about this case, because he couldn't go home until he saw her, but mostly, just because he's been waiting far too long to kiss her.
And he's not waiting anymore.