Gene studied me for a second before looking back at Goldie.“You copied the papers.”
Goldie didn’t answer.
Gene nodded like she had.“And then you ran to them.”
“I warned them,” she corrected.
“Yes.”He looked toward Twister.“You did.”
Twister’s face gave away nothing.“You signed permits you had no authority to sign.”
Gene closed his eyes.For the first time since he’d opened the door, he looked almost relieved.Like someone had finally said the thing out loud.When he opened his eyes again, there was less bitterness there.More exhaustion.“Yes.”
Goldie inhaled softly.
“You admit it?”Twister asked.
Gene walked toward the living room window, but Swift shifted immediately, blocking him from getting too close.
Gene stopped, then smiled faintly.“Still sharp.”
“Don’t test us,” Swift said.
“I’m not.”Gene looked out the window from where he stood.“I’m done testing anyone.”
Twister stepped closer.“Start talking.”
Gene rubbed both hands over his face.“Hollis was wrong.”
The name hit the room like a thrown blade.
Goldie glanced up at me.
I kept my eyes on Gene.
Twister’s voice lowered.“Your father.”
Gene nodded once.“My father was many things.Brilliant.Ruthless.Proud.Wrong more often than he would ever admit.”
Hodge grunted.“Sounds like a peach.”
Gene’s mouth twitched.“You have no idea.”
“Why did Hollis start this?”Twister asked.
Gene looked at him.For a second, I thought he wasn’t going to answer.Then he said, “Protection.”
Silence.
Goldie frowned.“Protection from what?”
Gene looked at her with something almost like pity.“From men like himself.”
“That doesn’t make sense,” she said.
“No,” Gene whispered.“It doesn’t anymore.”
Twister’s patience was almost gone.I could feel it in the way the room tightened around him.“The Ledger,” he said.
