He pulled me into his arms, and I allowed my body to relax into him. “They’ll both do time. Practically speaking, I’ll bet money Jack cops a plea because he wants to be out for his kid. David will do serious time.”

“All these years I thought Jack was my friend, but he was just keeping me close. I guess it was a kind of thrill to him, seeing me tipping out of balance.”

He rested his chin on my head. “You knew the killer was out there. You kept pressing when everyone gave up.” He kissed me. “That takes stones, Stockton.”

Pressing and pushing came naturally to me. “It was harder living with the unknown.”

“No more unknowns.”

I kissed him, grateful for his optimism. Life was full of unknowns. But these days the emotions weren’t so jagged. I wasn’t perfect; nor was I ever free and clear of the booze. Never would be. But 219 days of sobriety was no small feat. And today, right now, I was willing to call my life a win.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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New York Times and USA Today bestselling novelist Mary Burton is the popular author of more than thirty-five romance and suspense novels, including Don’t Look Now, Near You, Burn You Twice, and Never Look Back, as well as five novellas. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband and three miniature dachshunds. Visit her at www.maryburton.com.