Page 93 of Life, Love and the Pursuit of Happiness

She hesitated, then put her hand in his. “Merrill, what’s wrong? Is it your mother? I’ve been so worried.”

“No, my mother’s all right now. They moved her out of the ICU this morning.”

“Why didn’t you call when—”

Merrill had no opportunity to answer just then. Thankfully. Harry had wheeled himself out of the office and into the wide corridor where Merrill was leading Delilah toward the outside door. When Adam and Merrill had formed a partnership, they’d renovated the Bell Forge building with an extra-wide hallway to separate the forge operation from the salvage office and warehouse. Even through the thick walls, Merrill could hear the forges running and workers talking.

Harry looked at their joined hands and smiled. “Ah, I’m glad to see you took my advice, Merrill. There’s always two sides to every story.”

“What story?” Delilah asked.

“You know, honey, about your felony.” Harry looked with pity at Delilah.

Pity was the last thing Delilah would want. Merrill knew that much about her.

“How did you know about that, Harry?” she asked stiffly.

“Uh-oh,” Harry said. “Have I spoken out of turn?”

Delilah wasn’t bending a bit. In fact, she yanked her hand out of Merrill’s grip and folded her arms over her chest, waiting, stoically, for Harry’s response.

“Oh, Lilah, I wouldn’t hurt you for the world,” Harry said, “but I felt obligated—”

“It’s not Harry’s fault,” Merrill interrupted. “Let’s go outside and talk there.” He tried to take her hand again, but she was having none of that. In fact she edged away from him, as if repulsed.

“No, let Harry speak.”

Harry glanced uncomfortably at Merrill until he nodded.

“Your parole officer came here,” Harry disclosed. “A Ms. Gardner.”

“When?”

“Last week.”

“And?”

“She wanted to know if you had reported your felony background to us . . . your employer.”

A flicker of something like fear appeared in her eyes before she turned to Merrill. “And when did Harry tell you about this? No, let me guess. Yesterday, before you shot out of town. That’s why you haven’t called. You judged and found me guilty, without even giving me a chance to explain.”

Like you haven’t had weeks to explain before this! “Explain now. Come outside and let’s talk.”

“Eff you!” she said.

He winced. “Hey, don’t put me on the defensive. You’re the one who kept secrets. You’re the one who served hard time for accessory to robbery and for-fuck’s-sake murder.”

Suddenly, he realized that there was an odd silence, followed by a whispered gasp of “Murder?”

That latter came from Mayor Doreen, who must have just come in from outside. But also witnessing this news were Elmer, Mike, and Ike, behind the mayor, as well as K-4, Gus, Bonita, and Adam, from the other end of the corridor.

Delilah looked with horror at all the people, then at Merrill, her expression showing how wounded she was. With a sob, she bolted for the door and ran outside, pushing past the mayor and the three loony guards.

He ran after her, catching up with her where she stood, puzzled for a moment. She must have realized that she’d come with K-4 and Gus and left Merrill’s truck back at the motel. In other words, no transport. But then she headed for her motorcycle.

“Wait, Delilah. I didn’t mean for anyone else to know.”

She ignored him and swung a leg over the seat.