Archie looks stricken.
“They want me silent because I’m ready to talk. Ready to tell the truth.”
Hugh exhales hard. “Back then, I didn’t handle it right. I found out too late. By then, your father, the Mercers—hell, everyone—had already branded you a liar.” His voice roughens. “I’ve regretted it every damn day.”
Then, quieter, to Archie: “Off the record, Archie, there’s been a federal investigation into Landon. Twelve months. Multiple allegations. I just found out a few days ago.”
The world tilts—then steadies. They’re actually investigating? It isn’t just something Marnie said to make me feel better.
Archie gasps. “Hugh?”
“Yeah.” Hugh nods. “The FBI won’t tell me much. But it lines up with what Dr. Kirk is sayin’.”
Archie looks like he’s aged ten years in ten minutes.
“I’ll get the Bureau involved directly. We need their resources.” Hugh pauses, eyes softening. “Sarah—this time, no one is sweeping it under the rug.”
It’s ten years too late. But it’s here.
Vindication.
CHAPTER 35
cade
Sarah stayed the night in Tillie’s room.
And then she stayed the next day, and then the next.
She let me help get her truck back and cleaned up so she could use it. She let me hold her hand. She let me be there for her.
It’s Sunday morning, and all my dreams feel like they have come true.
I’m at the kitchen table with Sarah; Evie is curled up on her lap, coloring.
Bandit sprawls at their feet, twitching in his sleep.
It’s a picture of peace I didn’t know I’d ever have with my Dove and our child—until a knock on the front door shatters it.
I already know who it is before I open the door.
Landon and Violet have been blowing up my phone for days with messages and questions about what’s goingon and why Denver PD came to talk to them about Sarah’s house burning down.
I ignored every text message and voicemail. I owe my brother no explanations.
“It’s them,” I tell Sarah.
“It’s who?” Evie wants to know.
I smile gently at her. “Just some people.”
Sarah straightens and puts on her game face.
“You don’t have to be here.” I tilt my chin to the door that leads out of the kitchen into the yard and then the barn.
“Go get the door,” she says softly, her face unreadable.
I look pointedly at Evie.
