I sniffed. I’d confessed more truth than a lie. “Thank you, my friend.”

Amy-Jo answered on the first ring. One more time I explained about my mother’s failing health.

“Don’t worry about your shift. One of the gals asked me for more hours, so I’ll offer her yours. How are you holding up?”

“I feel like I’ve fallen into a well, and it’s impossible to climb out.”

“This might be an opportunity to begin the healing process with your family.”

“Unlikely, Amy-Jo. Some relationships are irreparable.”

“Do you feel up to working tomorrow? I can get someone to cover you.”

“I need to keep my mind occupied.”

“Okay, I’ll see you in the morning. Call me if you want to talk. I can come out there and spend the night.”

“Thanks. You are really sweet.” I hadn’t lied to my friends about my tendency toward depression. In essence I had two enemies—whoever threatened me and the depression.

With God’s help, I’d overcome both.

31

I did nothing to conceal my departure with Denton on Friday morning. His FBI training should allow him to detect someone following us, but I stared at the passenger-side mirror for my own peace of mind.

Fifteen minutes into our drive, I brought up my fake suicide and how Edie and Amy-Jo had been alerted to my dwindling mental condition. “Normally I chat with Amy-Jo and Edie at the café, but yesterday I avoided them. I regret the ruse, but I have no clue how else to credibly expose who’s responsible. My Bible is in my backpack, and the note is written and in my purse.”

“What if we learn the culprit is someone you know? Like your dad?”

The thought had darted in and out of my mind, unbidden and despised. “We had a strong father-daughter relationship before . . . the shooting. He adored Travis, the son he never had. I don’t mean I was jealous. Travis was like a brother to me, kind, funny, and a good listener. Anyway, I won’t dwell on Dad either stealing the money or threatening me. The man I remember chose family, honor, and integrity above himself. One vile deed in the family is enough.”

“People we trust often fail us. Wants, presumed needs, motivations, greed, and all those deeply rooted internal workings drive us all to consider ourselves first or see life skewed.”

He spoke as if he had personal experience. No headlights loomed behind us. Just a dark road. “Selfishness is a human trait. The choices we make show how far we’ve grown or fallen. Are you a man of faith?”

“Not really.”

“When I looked up from my shame, no one was there but a chaplain to show me Jesus. Not since my dad had I experienced caring and acceptance, which is why I refuse to believe Dad is involved. He’s a good man.”

“Maybe we should hang a shingle outside our cabins saying, ‘Counseling Upon Request.’”

“In small print we’d add, ‘Therapists—FBI Agent and Ex-Con.’”