Dan hadn’t talked to Alice about what Charlie told him because he didn’t know if what he’d reported to the chief had actually happened. But when they had heard sirens during their meal, it made him wonder, and when Charlie looked at Dan, all he could do was shrug.

Alice caught the interaction between them and was starting to ask when Dan looked at her, then at Patty, and shook his head.

She nodded, and the moment passed until they were cleaning up the kitchen and Dan’s phone rang.

“It’s Chief Pittman,” Dan said. “I need to take this.”

That’s when Alice frowned. “Okay, Dan…I need to know what’s going on.”

“Just a second, honey. This call will probably have answers for both of us,” he said, and then answered. “Hello, this is Dan.”

“Hi, Dan. This is Lon. I wanted to let you know your tip paid off.”

“Really? Are you serious? They really did it?” Dan asked.

“Well, they tried. Your boy saved Mr. Phillips. They were waiting for him with a baseball bat, but we pulled a switch on them. They got me instead of Phillips.”

“Oh my God,” Dan said. “I can’t imagine. They were going to beat him up?”

“Probably planned on knocking him out, but getting hit in the head with a ball bat can be lethal. At any rate, thank Charlie. And make sure he understands that no one will ever know who tipped us off.”

“What’s going to happen to them?” Dan asked.

“They’ll do some time. I can’t say how much or where, but they’re both nineteen, so they’re too old for juvenile detention.”

“That’s too bad they turned out that way,” Dan said. “The family rents from me. They’re a really nice couple.”

“Yes, and they were horrified and humiliated and so angry at their boys. Anyway…thought I’d let you know before I head home.”

“Thanks, Lon,” Dan said and disconnected, then began telling Alice everything that had ensued, from Charlie coming to him to the phone call just now which confirmed the twins had followed through with their plan.

Alice was stunned. “Oh, Dan… What if Charlie hadn’t heard them?”

“What if Charlie hadn’t told someone is more to the point,” Dan said. “He would have felt guilty for the rest of his life, especially if Mr. Phillips had been hurt or killed.”

Alice put both hands over her heart, smiling through tears.

“I am so proud of the man he is becoming…but I’m not surprised. He was trying to take care of Patty and me long before you ever showed up in our lives. He has a good heart and a good head on his shoulders. And you…you are the example he needed of what it means to be a good, decent man. I love you so much and am so grateful you are in our lives.”

Dan took her in his arms.

“I’m the one who is grateful for all of you for loving me. I needed what you offered…a family…and your love,” Dan said, and held her.