Detective Bowerman charged Sammy, Jeffrey, and Steven with kidnapping. They spilled their guts in hopes of receiving a deal. Their sentence put them away for a long, long time. And it wouldn’t be in condos.
Susan’s indictment included breaking and entering as well as robbery. She lost her freedom, as well as her bookstore. The book she desperately wanted became evidence. Doc recovered nicely from the disruption to his life. He decided to give another year to the museum and then retire. Penny couldn’t be happier.
There is one person involved in this whole fiasco I felt sorry for. I knew Gloria never expected things to turn out the way they did. She hired Jacob to steal artifacts from the museum, determined to make things look bad for Doc in hopes of having Steven step in as director. Jacob was there that night under Gloria’s direction. How ironic that her son killed Jacob.
As for our ghostly visitors that dreadful night at the museum, that mystery remains unsolved. Did they appear to warn us, or were they a figment of highly charged imaginations? We’ll probably never know, and I don’t think Dee Dee plans on going back to determine the answer.
Harv raved about my story. The best I’d ever written he said. Where past meets present is the new motto for “Georgia by the Way.” Beau and I have grown closer than ever. When you come through the other side of a life and death situation it’s amazing how everything becomes crystal clear about what is really important. Like the people you love. I glanced at Beau.
“I love you.”
“I love you, too.” He gave me the sweetest kiss I think I’ve ever tasted. It was a wonderful day to be alive.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
• Trixie chose Eph. 4:32 as her favorite verse for “Murder in Marietta, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you.” Do you have a favorite verse? What is it?
• Can you think of an instance where Jesus mentions ghosts in the New Testament?
• Trixie felt obligated to help Doc because he was Harv’s friend. In the end she was glad she did and that Doc was found innocent. Have you been in a situation where you felt obligated to help someone, but were glad you did?
• Doc decided to forgive Marianne after thinking about the times others had forgiven him, and remembering the words of Eph. 4:32. Why do we find it so hard to forgive others? What helps you forgive others?
• Gloria Hamilton wanted her son, Steven, to become the director of the Marietta History Museum. Ironically, when she took things into her own hands, she made things worse. Has this happened to you? Have you found it is better to take matters into your own hands or to ask for help from God?
• Trixie and Dee Dee’s friendship continues to grow as they encourage each other in their faith. Do you think it’s important to have friends who will encourage your faith? If so, why?
• Who was your favorite character? Why?
• What was your favorite scene? Why?
MURDER IN MARIETTA
BY DEBORAH MALONE
ISBN 10: 1-60039-199-0
ISBN 13: 978-1-60039-199-6
ebook ISBN: 978-1-60039-724-0
Copyright © 2012 Deborah Malone. All rights reserved.
Print and Electronic Format & Layout Copyright © 2012 by LAMP POST Inc.
Scripture quotations taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica US, Inc.®. Used by permission.
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