Had those of us faster and surer of foot done what we could to remove the stumbling stone from the path of the Causeys and others like them? Or had we, from our position of advantage and safety, stood complacently on the sidelines—a hidden sneer on our lips and the secret joy of condemnation in our hearts—as we watched their fatal descent?

Is that why we cheer and celebrate our heroes? Because we know that we too partake in part of their greatness? And is that also why we despise and detest the failures among us—for the same reason—because we know that we, too, contain that lesser part of the human ingredient?

I honestly don’t know the answer to those questions. Though it sometimes seems that, as a people, we Americans greatly prefer condemnation and retribution way more than making the effort to help a weak and struggling soul. It was a question I would have to pose to both Cyriah and Truman Rainwater.

I was so drowsy that I found myself sitting at traffic lights after the light turned green—it taking a while for the information to flow from my eye, to my mind, and then to my foot. I turned on the vents and pointed them toward my face. Maybe the chilly night air would help keep me alert until I arrived home.

Finally, I pulled into the drive. I left the door of the car open as I got out and unlocked the gate to the drive. I pulled through and, getting out again, swung the bar back into place. In the darkness, it was too much work to fasten the lock and chain again, and besides, there were only a few hours until daylight.

I parked near the side of the cabin and got out quietly. I hoped the door wasn’t locked. I gave the knob a turn and, quietly as I could, went inside.

The room was comfortably warm, with a faint red glow coming from the woodstove. A dim light in the kitchen gave just enough illumination to keep me from stumbling and bumping into things. Parker was snoring softly and contentedly in his bunk. Quiet as I was, Danny Ray stirred and lifted his head. When he saw it was me he turned over and settled again.

Tybee was asleep on the foot of my bed. He awoke as I undressed and, after yawning, arched his back and stretched first one leg and then the other before lying down again in a curl and going back to sleep. I draped my clothes on the top bunk, but put my shoulder holster and pistol on the floor at a place just below the pillow. At last, I climbed into the bunk and stretched out.