Page 29 of Traitor

Mercy leans forward, her eyebrows raised. “That’s not the end. Peyton was in the house when all this went down. The tweakers tied her up in the basement. Held her parents for hours while she listened to them torture them. When they were done, hours later, they shot her and left her for dead.”

Nell dabs at her eyes with a tissue. “Sweet Jesus. That poor baby.”

“It was all over the Internet. There are dozens of articles and interviews. Apparently, she was in a psych ward for a while. Then, like, became one of those people who didn’t leave their house, like ever.”

“Mercy,” I say.

“Anyway, from what I understand, it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility for her to be imagining the whole thing. Making it up. Having a break from reality.”

“Mercy,” I say more firmly.

She gives me a look. “I’m justsaying,Ford. Think past your dick and take a step back. We don’t know this woman. You only know what she’s telling you and—”

I get to my feet and when I speak, my voice is calm, quiet. I know from facing down some of the most evil people on this earth, it’s not yelling that gets someone’s attention, it’s the absolute certainty in a hushed delivery. “What matters here is that I believe her, Mercy. This isn’t any of your business.”

“But—”

“No buts. I believe her and I don’t want to hear you saying this to anyone else. She deserves her privacy. Is that clear?” They don’t answer and I move toward my office. “For the record, I was in her position not too long ago and no one believed me. Until we know otherwise, you’d be wise to give her the benefit of the doubt. You don’t know what’s true unless you were there. Were you with me overseas when I watched two of my best friends get blown to pieces?” When they don’t answer, I nod. “I didn’t think so. Don’t judge her unless you’ve been in her shoes.”

“Ford, I—” Mercy begins.

“Save it. And you know what, Mercy? If you’re going to be here, you need to help out. No more freeloading. And don’t either of you say a word about this to anyone else or to Peyton. Unless you want to find somewhere else to stay.”

Mercy sputters. “What about Lexie?”

“Lexie can stay. God knows it’d be less of a circus here than following you all over the country with your boy toys. Now if you two don’t mind, I’ve got work to do.”

My head pounds as I stride back to my office. Having that drink can’t happen soon enough.