“It’s torture,” Vance whispered, watching Davey while I gave Spencer the cooler.
“A gift from Dr. Danny Carver,” Faythe explained. “He’s included a note on dosage.”
Spencer opened the cooler and removed both the vial and the note. “Is this what I think it is?”
Faythe nodded. “We weren’t planning to start human trials quite this soon, but…” She shrugged. “Every cloud, right? With any luck, this is the silver lining.”
Spencer turned to me. “You’re the next of kin. Is this what you want?”
“I’ve been assured it won’t hurt her. And this is what she wanted.” I turned to pull Vance close. “Agreed?”
He nodded, linking his arm through mine.
“Dr. Carver has emailed some forms he needs filled out to the letter,” Faythe told Spencer as he read the note. “I assume you understand how important that is, for the future of the program?”
Spencer nodded. “Of course.” He exhaled. “I didn’t expect to be involved in this.” And I could see the weight of that on his features. On his shoulders.
I felt it, along with him.
“Are we ready?” he asked as he pulled a sealed sterile syringe from the bag of supplies he’d brought with him.
I nodded, then we all watched as he administered the first carefully measured dose through Davey’s IV. She never even stirred.
“I’m not sure how long it will take to see any difference,” Faythe admitted. “But please let us all know if and when that happens. And keep us updated…otherwise.”
“We will,” I said. “Thank you so much for this.”
Faythe took my hand one more time and squeezed it. Then I walked her downstairs, where Jace and Vic were getting caught up over coffee in the worn corner booth.
Titus and Jace left with Faythe. Titus was headed home, but Jace insisted on escorting Faythe and her men to the border.
“We’re about to head out too,” Austin said, appearing next to me at the window as I watched the line of SUVs disappear down the country highway.
I turned to see Tucker and Bishop standing near the kitchen door.
“Tools are loaded.” Bishop’s voice was gruff. Deep with pain. “You sure you don’t want in on this?”
I shook my head. “This is your moment,” I told him, my gaze sliding toward Austin to include them both. “Your justice. I’m happy to come for moral support, if you want, but not until Davey’s…better. If you’re willing to wait.”
Bishop sighed, and I could see what just the thought of another delay would cost him.
“It’s okay,” I said, pulling both him and Austin in for a hug. “Go on. Get your closure and her justice.”And say goodbye.
Because that’s what they’d really be doing. This was the end of a long road for them both, and I understood that completely.
“Don’t worry, boss,” Tucker said as I let them go. “I got ‘em.”
“Thank you.” I squeezed his shoulder. Then I went upstairs, where I insisted that Spencer crash on my couch for a nap.
I curled up on my bed next to Davey, threading my fingers through her warm, limp grip as I listened to the footsteps climbing the basement stairs. To Nolan’s soft sobs and pointless apologies.
Tears formed in my eyes and dripped onto my pillow as the footsteps faded. As the back door closed.
Vance watched through my bedroom window as Bishop’s 4Runner drove off, the growl of his engine fading with distance.
The whole thing was a fucking tragedy. If Yvette had waited another year, she could have been in Faythe’s pilot program. She could have made her choice. But she had no way of knowing it would ever exist. And that didn’t give Nolan the right to risk her life for any amount of cash. To break rules meant to save lives.
With any luck, things were changing.Ruleswould change. But until then…
