Page 194 of The Case of the Missing Love Stone

I look between my mates. “You’re staying for the case.”

Wes touches his mouth to my temple. “We’re staying because this is home now.”

Roman squeezes my hand. “The case gives the government a useful reason to keep paying us while we live here.”

Honey points a wooden spoon toward them. “You’re not turning her cottage into a field office.”

“I already vetoed tactical corkboards in the bedroom,” I tell her.

Wes frowns. “One corkboard?”

“No.”

The bond carries his offended dignity. It makes me smile.

Tom closes the folder. “The rest happens at noon.”

“What happens at noon?” I ask.

“Your name gets cleared.”

Sweetheart Haven gathers outside Heritage Hall as though public humiliation is another festival event. The board finally closed the galleries.

A temporary platform stands beneath the front awning. Behind it, the empty display case has been covered with brown paper while the museum prepares a corrected exhibit.

I stand between Wes and Roman near the edge of the crowd. My friends remain close behind us.

The town council occupies the platform with Tom and the museum director. No one looks comfortable.

Tom speaks first. He confirms the Love Stone was recovered and that Sullivan Mercer and Myrtle Vane have been arrested in connection with the theft, GatorX distribution, and the attack at the old cypress site. Then he says my name.

“Scarlet Sage wasn’t involved in the theft or distribution operation. She was targeted, surveilled, and exposed without her knowledge. Her historical expertise led investigators to the annex and the recovery site. Her actions directly contributed to Maribel Lane’s rescue and the safe recovery of the artifact.”

The crowd shifts. Some people look at me.

Others find the ground suddenly fascinating.

Tom steps away from the microphone, then stops. “This department searched Ms. Sage’s home early in the investigation. The search was lawful, but suspicion grew faster than the evidence justified. I allowed assumptions about her family and reputation to influence how this town treated her.” His gaze meets mine across the crowd. “I’m sorry.”

The apology doesn’t erase the deputies searching my property or the whispers outside Sweet Tooth. It doesn’t need to. It puts responsibility where it belongs.

I nod.

The museum director approaches the microphone next. He looks as though he would prefer to be swallowed by the swamp. “For generations, Heritage Hall displayed the recovered artifact known as the Love Stone and presented the Everlasting Pack legend as established history. But the museum’s records omitted portions of the original tradition, including a release route and language establishing that protection required continued choice.” He looks toward me. “Heritage Hall will revise the exhibit with Ms. Sage’s consultation, should she choose to provide it.”

Every head turns in my direction. Wes’s hand settles against my back. Roman waits beside me.

“I’ll review the records,” I say. “The museum can decide whether it wants the truth after it sees how much needs changing.”

Honey makes a delighted sound behind me.

The director swallows. “That would be appreciated.”

The town council announces that the Month of Heart opening will be delayed while the water system is tested and public spaces are cleared.

No one boos. That may be the most miraculous event of the week.

Afterward, people approach in awkward waves. Some apologize. Some thank me.