“Imagine what will happen to your precious family name when all of this goes public.”

“Please. You would have gone to the police if you had enough to charge me.”

“What was it you said to me when we met? The only court that matters is the court of public opinion.”

“Oh, is it to be my life for my family’s reputation?”

“Yes.”

“Generous, but I must decline your offer.”

“It’s not a bluff.”

“It is a bluff. Don’t be petulant. I know your penchant for revenge, but you aren’t man enough to inflict that suffering on Catherine.”

“Catherine? What does she have to do with it?”

“Since you remember what I say with such clarity, I’m sure you recall what I said about secrets. Their power to destroy. You may hold my secret, but it is also Catherine’s secret, is it not? You cannot expose me without exposing her. And in exposing her, you’ll make her a pariah. A pathetic curiosity. Never to have a normal life.”

He stared at her in disgust.

“One moves the pieces one has left on the board, Mr. Vaughn. If you want me dead, it will only be by your hand. However, police response times are exceptional in this part of the city, so I do hope your affairs are in order.”

He eased his finger off the trigger.

“A wise decision.”

“I wish I could,” he said.

“And I you,” she said. “Another time, perhaps.”

“Stay away from Catherine. From all of us.”

“Good-bye, Mr. Vaughn.”

Gibson walked back to the house. His thoughts went back to Suzanne and to his father, and he felt himself go through the windshield again. The sensation of rudderless drifting returned, and he stood still until his nausea passed. It would be back. The windshield wasn’t done with him yet.

Catherine was sitting by the front door. As he neared the girl, he could see that her eyes were red and swollen from tears.

“Is it time to go?” she asked, her voice soft like falling paper.

“Yes. Do you want to come with me?”

She nodded. “Is Aunt C. coming to say good-bye?”

He shook his head. For a moment, he thought Catherine would start to cry again, but she composed herself and stood.

“Will you help me with my suitcase? It’s very heavy.”

It was. An entire lifetime was packed inside.

EPILOGUE

EPILOGUE

The Nighthawk Diner was busy, but they found two stools by the cash register. Gibson helped himself to a couple of menus. Toby Kalpar was busy behind the counter, and it took him a few minutes to work his way down to them. He put down ice water and looked questioningly at Gibson’s throat.

“Who’s your friend?” Toby asked.

“Catherine, this is my good friend Toby.”

She put her hand out. “I’m very pleased to meet you, Toby.”

Toby raised an eyebrow. “Not yours, obviously.”