Page 152 of Thick as Thieves

He’d missed hearing that shocking revelation by seconds before he had shot out the window glass. “Who told you?” Arden asked.

“The detective who took my statement. He’d also taken yours.” He turned his head to look at her. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“No. I’m weary of it.”

“Fine by me.”

They sat in silence. Then she said, “Our appointment with the attorney general…?”

“That’s in abeyance. A prosecutor in Rusty’s office—young, idealistic, no love lost for his former boss—is treating the public disgracing of Rusty Dyle like a crusade. He’s already charged him with two counts of first-degree murder—Lisa and Hawkins. That doesn’t include Brian Foster.

“He said Rusty had taken crookedness to new heights and promised that heads will roll in the sheriff’s department, the county court. That’s just for starters. In light of all that, the burglary of Welch’s store way back in 2000 is at the bottom of his to-do list.”

“He and the attorney general would probably be content never to reopen that investigation.”

“Probably. But I want my admission to go on the record, even if it’s by deposition. I also want to make an official apology to you. Here and now.” He held her gaze. “Arden, I’m sorry I didn’t confess my part in it sooner. I should have leveled with you the day you came to the workshop. My intention was good, but maybe my judgment was lousy.”

The seriousness of his expression was emphasized by the play of candlelight and shadow across his features. “Yes, you should have,” she said softly. “But if you hadn’t gotten here when you did, and acted, Rusty would have killed me, too. In exchange for saving my life, I can forgive you the other.”

He looked like he wanted to say more, but he had apologized, she had accepted, so before he could belabor the point, she changed the subject. “Thank you for contacting the demolition company for me.”

“You’ve heard from them already?”

“This morning. The foreman is coming tomorrow to walk through the house to see what will be involved. Goodwill is taking all the household items and my belon

gings. I don’t want any of it. I didn’t have much here, anyway.”

He looked at her through his perceptive squint. “It’s not too late to change your mind.”

“No, it needs to come down.”

He looked over at the piano. “What about that?”

“I’ve already notified a day care center that it’s theirs for the taking.”

“Nice.”

She took a deep and weary breath. “I also must see to Lisa’s affairs in Dallas. There’s a multitude of them.”

“That’s what the lawyers on retainer are for.”

“I know. But there will be so much I must personally handle. Sorting through her effects, and what’s left of Wallace’s. The house will have to be sold. I can enlist Helena to help, but, largely, decisions on how to dispense with it all will fall to me. It’s exhausting just thinking about it.”

“Then stop thinking about it. It’ll get done. Operating capital won’t be a problem for you. You’re going to be rich.”

“Yes.”

“Try to contain your happiness.”

She acknowledged that he was being facetious. “Wealth was Lisa’s ambition, not mine. I’m grateful for the financial security, but I’m going to make a business of giving large portions of it away.”

“Hmm?”

“I’m going to establish a foundation that will benefit a number of charities.”

“Yeah? That’s great. Can I make a pitch for veterans’ organizations?”

“Submit a list. They’ll be first in line for consideration.” She smiled at him, but her thoughts were serious. “There’s a lot I’ll have to learn. It will be a full-time job, but it so happens that I need a full-time job, and overseeing something like this excites me. It feels right, like this is what I’ve been seeking, like this is what I was intended for and just didn’t know it yet.” Her throat tightened. “I just wish this epiphany hadn’t come about the way it did.”