“Ma’am?”
“You said the broom handle sank into your eye. What happened to your eye?”
“It couldn’t be salvaged. I’ve had an artificial eye ever since.”
She paused. “Did you continue to work as a recruiter?”
“No, ma’am. Soon afterward, I attended law school.”
“Are you still practicing law?”
“I am. I’m the district attorney for Rabun County, which I realize must seem like a great injustice to you. I’ve led a life that I had no right to lead.”
Genevieve knotted her hands in her lap as she watched her dad’s mouth quiver. She had never,neverseen her father lose his grip on his composure—
Clarity opened inside her.
Of course, she thought. Of course. Her brainy, easygoing father had been overcome with passion and rage on the night he’d killed Russell. The consequences had been severe and nonnegotiable. There’d been no way to make it right, to bring Russell back from the dead. So he’d avoided situations that might goad his temper, because he knew the damage he was capable of inflicting.
“Come closer,” Alice said to Dad, beckoning.
“Mom,” Sandra warned.
“Come closer,” the older woman repeated.
“I really don’t think...” Sandra began.
But Dad was already crossing the space and kneeling before Alice. “I’m sorry,” he said to her, his voice unsteady.
Genevieve had staggered under her guilt and regrets for the past year. Her dad had been staggering under his regrets forthirty-seven years. She couldn’t fathom the weight of them.
“Sorrycan’t undo what you did,” Sandra said.
“I know,” Dad said to Alice. “Nonetheless, I’m incredibly sorry. Russell was your son, and I won’t blame you for turning me in. I’ll tell the authorities what I’ve told you. I’ll cooperate.”
Alice looked into him, as if searching his soul. “I believe you will.” She laid a crooked hand on his shoulder. Nostalgia lingered in her face as she studied the man so near to the age her son would have been, had he lived.
“I gave birth to Russell. Ilovedhim. I did ... and still do . . . love him.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“No one’s entitled to take the life of another. You shouldn’t have taken his life. Not under any circumstances.” Alice’s attention rested on Mom, Sandra, then back to Dad. “All three of you did wrong when you failed to call the police and when you schemed and lied about it afterward.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Dad said.
“I feel strongly...” The weakness of Alice’s lungs stole much of her air on a wheeze. “That it’s my right to turn you in.”
“I agree,” Dad said.
“I’m the one who brought Russell into this world, who cared for him and taught him, who prayed for him and watched him grow.” Sorrow reverberated in every word.
Dad nodded. He pushed a tear from his own cheek with the heel of his large hand. He remained kneeling.
Alice’s grip had not left his shoulder. Her forehead was lined with intensity and determination. “It’s my right to turn you in, young man. But I will not do it. And since I will not, I can say with confidence that no one will.”
Her father looked at Alice uncomprehendingly.
Astonishment tumbled within Genevieve.What?
