Page 163 of Family Affair

“Oh, hell, no. Call them. No, fuck, I’ll call them and tell them what happened. Ward, you can’t play like that, you aren’t God.”

“It happened by the will of God. Without my interference. They think Frank is on his way to the morgue.”

Morgue. Such a cold, final word. Such a terrible, impersonal place.

He broke down then.

“Cade,” he sobbed. He and Cade had drifted so far apart, leaving a gaping void of mistrust and antagonism where love should have been. He wasn’t sure if their relationship could ever be repaired. But by God his death hurt. “You bastard. How could you be so careless? Why?”

The eternal, unanswered question, why.

Ward sat down beside him. “You wanted to start afresh and your prayers have been answered. This is your chance to erase everything.”

“At the expense of my brother’s life?”

“You have nothing to do with his death. Our Lord deemed him ready to depart this world. Maybe for Stevie Stark, maybe for his other sins, I don’t know. Think about it. In a way, Cade freed you, Frankie. He has given you a gift of a new life. The life under his clean name. Take it, don’t waste his sacrifice because this is his only way to atone for injustices he brought on you. By taking his gift, you are forgiving him.”

Frank didn’t want to hear it. He didn’t want to agree with Ward, but the words penetrated like Ward intended them to and tempted him, poisoning his semi-functioning mind with sweet promises of a happy future.

He longed to right the wrongs, to repair what was broken between him and Cade, to change his own miserable and pitiful life. If only he had another chance.That’s all he needed. One small chance, and it seemed that this was it, his opportunity, albeit a belated one.

“I don’t know. I can’t think.”

“I understand, of course. I will take care of everything for you.”

“Ward, it won’t work. Nobody will believe me. My parents, my family – I don’t want them to keep this secret for me.”

“They won’t. I have spoken with Maureen, and it’s best if she’s the only one who will ever know. She’s in shock over Cade, but she agreed that this is a chance. The rest of your family won’t ever know the difference.”

“You’re kidding. They’ll know.”

“Prove me wrong.”

“Father… Did you call him?”

Rick, disgusted by Frank’s treasonous choice of taking Ward’s side and by what he believed was his drunken escapade that ended with the death of Stevie, had left with several buddies to fish in the Atlantic, boycotting Frank’s approaching trial.

“I did. He’s coming back first thing in the morning. We only have tonight to do it. And this is how it’s going to be.” Ward got to his feet, eyes alight with purpose. He went to Cade’s bedroom and came out holding his wallet. The sight made Frank’s stomach turn over.

“Your mother and I are going to the morgue to identify the body as Frank’s. You stay here and do whatever it takes to clear your head. Stay put and do not - you hear me, do not – drink or smoke or take anything funny. Nothing, not even cigarettes. Eat, if you can. You have to have a clear head for us to have a shot at this.” Ward stopped and gave him an assessing gaze. “Brush your hair and shave, Cade always had a clean look.”

So clinical. Ward had already moved on, barely sparing any grief to the passing of his brother. A means to an end.

“Ward,” Frank spoke quietly. “Why are you doing this? Why is Mother?”

Ward sat down next to him. “This forgery investigation has got to stop, Frank. Maureen understands it. Cade understood. You’re taking all of us down with you, no matter how hard you try to keep things to yourself. And after the interview with your father came out, I’m having no success in diverting the accusations. They’ve opened a probe.”

“You deserve it.”

Ward smiled sadly. “Maybe I do. Do you want to see me die in prison? I’m not young. And I have so much work to do yet at the church… But if Frank were to die, it would make them drop the case. I’ll see to it. It will put an end to the story.”

“This isn’t going to work, you know.” Frank murmured, his head spinning, taking him on a not-so-merry-go-‘round.

“It will,” Ward said, vehement. “At first, everyone will be too bereaved to pay you close attention. After your brother’s laid to rest, get gone for a spell. Time and distance will take care of the rest.”

Frank felt like everything he knew about life turned topsy-turvy. “We will all get in more trouble.”

Ward looked at him with utter seriousness. “Success will depend entirely upon you. I believe you can do it. Now, get up and get moving. This is your house, these are your clothes, and here are your driver’s license and the social security card. Memorize the numbers if you don’t know them. And if you can find your balls by morning, everything will work like a charm.”