“I’m sorry, Butch,” she said for at least the hundredth time since her arrival in the cemetery. Immediately after the verdict was read, she had walked down the hallway to the district attorney general’s office and grabbed a file from the cabinet. Then she’d walked to the basement of the courthouse and sat on the floor of the janitor’s closet and cried. By the time she had left the building, it was almost dark and after closing time.

She’d taken a cab to a liquor store, bought the pint, and then had the cabbie drop her off two blocks from the graveyard.

Helen had been sitting in the damp grass in front of her ex-husband’s grave ever since.

“Tell me something,” a familiar voice said from behind her.

Helen made no move to turn around. She was too tired, too drunk. Besides, she’d heard that voice for twenty years. “Thank you for your help, Ennis.”

Ennis Petrie took a seat next to her. “Congratulations, General.”

Helen wiped tears from her eyes. Finally, she sighed. “You know I killed him, don’t you?”

He nodded. “Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because the person whose name is on this file tab”—he pointed at the manila folder lying in the grass between them—“paid me one hundred thousand dollars to kill Butch.” He paused. “But when I went inside his house the night of April 1, he was already dead.”

Helen glanced at the file and then looked at Ennis. “You’ve known all along.”

He nodded.

“Where’s my gun?”

The former sheriff squinted at her. “I think you’ll eventually figure that out.”

Helen peered back at her dead ex-husband’s grave. “What about Grimes?”

Ennis snorted. “My theory is that he came over and discovered the body the next day and decided to steal the computer because he knew it would be searched and he’d be implicated in crimes. It never made sense to me that Grimes would come over at night and kill Butch. I’ve known Terry a long time, and that’s not his style.” Ennis paused. “Now, would he seize an opportunity to get rid of evidence to save his own hide?” The former sheriff snickered. “Absolutely.” He paused. “You gonna let Grimes take the rap for Butch’s murder?”

Helen gave a weary smile. “If I’m elected to another term in a few weeks, I’ll make sure he’s only convicted of burglary and prostitution.” She ran her hands over her face. “Even if Sack wins, I doubt he’s stupid enough to try the murder case again against Grimes. A deal will be reached. I guarantee it.”

For several minutes, the two former colleagues sat beside each other in the shadowy cemetery, lost in their respective thoughts. Finally, Helen broke the silence.