Page 94 of The Devil's Deceit

“Have you ever done something where your intentions were valid, but over time, you come to regret it?”

Yes. Keeping the truth of Nexus’s collapse from my family. It hasn’t ever sat well with me to outright lie to my father in particular, but to my siblings, too. I relied on the knowledge they’d never question me, never ask what happened or why the HSE issued a no-fault report. They’d accepted that I’d handled the situation, and that was all they needed to know.

“I have.”

“What was it?”

There have been several times over the last few months I’ve wished I could unburden myself, but I’m not the kind of man to go to therapy. Maybe it’s time I unburdened myselfto my wife. Even if she judges my actions harshly, there’s a good chance this slab of guilt will crumble once I tell her what happened.

If I can’t tell the woman I love the truth, who can I tell?

“Remember the building that collapsed? Nexus.”

Her breath hitches. “Yes. I asked you about it twice, and you didn’t want to talk about it.”

“That was then.”

“And now you do want to talk?”

“I do, yes. I’m not proud of what I did, but I acted for the right reasons.”

“To protect your family,” she whispers.

“Yes, and myself, but mostly, I did it to protect the family of the couple who died. I’m not sure if you know, but they had two children, and I hated the idea that those kids would think differently of their parents if they knew what really happened.”

“Wh-what do you mean?”

“It’s complicated. Like you, I’d rather tell you in person.” A car door slams, and I peer out of the window. “Dawson’s here. I’ve got to go. We’ll talk later, I promise.” I hang up and dart down the steps to my car.

I’ve set the wheels in motion now. There’s no going back, and the best thing is that weight I’ve carried on my shoulders for almost a year already feels lighter. Besides, who knows. Once I’ve told Grace, maybe I’ll find it easier to finally tell my family the truth.

It looks as though tonight will be a night of confessions.

The question on my mind is what could Grace possibly have to share with me? I guess I’ll soon find out. There’s nothing she could say to me that would make me love her any lessthan I do, and that’s what I plan to tell her as soon as I get home.

“Looks like an accident ahead, sir.”

I shift my position and peer through the front windshield. Flashing lights illuminate the cabin, and there are traffic cones splitting the lane.

“Can we divert?”

“Let’s see if we can get around it first,” Dawson says. “A traffic officer is heading this way. If we can’t get through, I’ll turn around.”

“Okay.”

The officer taps on the window, and Dawson rolls it down a few inches to keep out the rain. Water pours off the officer’s hat as he dips his head.

“Good evening, sir.” He glances over at Marshall, then at me in the back. “There’s been an accident up ahead, but it shouldn’t be too much longer, and we’ll have it cleared.”

“Anyone hurt?” I ask.

“A few bumps and bruises. Car’s a write off, though.”

“How much longer are we talking?” Dawson asks. “Is it better for us to find another route?”

“Probably best to wait. I estimate five minutes or so to clear the road.”

“Okay, thanks.”