Page 154 of Wild Sanctuary

I stare at him, blink once before frowning deeply. “The murder confessions held?”

“Mm-hm.”

“And the Silas pieces didn’t.” It’s a statement, not a question.

“That’s what he said.”

A long beat passes between us.

“Wyatt, Silas’s involvement was woven throughout the whole conversation. Almost right from the beginning.”

He sighs. “I know.”

“Which means the only parts that could bury Silas just… what? Disappeared?”

“That’s what he said.”

The cottonwood is moving above us, but all I can hear is the sound of my pulse in my ears.

I look down at the peonies and the irises across the base of my father’s stone, willing my heart to slow to a slower pace. I don’t have proof. I have a feeling, and that feeling is making my stomach churn.

“Doyle’s kicking the financial side up to the AG in Helena.” Wyatt’s hat turns once in his hands. “Said it might take years.”

“Years?”

“Mm.”

“Or never.”

“Mm-hm.”

I look at him and just voice the question I know we’re both thinking. “How clean is Doyle?”

His eyes hold mine. “I’ve known him my whole life. I’d have said clean.”

“And now?”

He exhales heavily through his nose, frustration clear on his face. “Now I’m askin’ the same goddamn question.”

The words linger in the space between us as the sun beams down from overhead.

There’s a version of this where I drive home and let it eat me alive. Where I pour a glass of wine, call Glen, and tell him the story I came back to chase has slipped through my fingers.

There’s a version of this where Silas Blackwood wins.

That version is not happening.

I crouch back down before I can think about it.

“Marcus and Stan will get what they deserve, but Silas Blackwood walks. If you were listening just now, you’ll know the local sheriff’s office had what resembles a tragic accident with my recording.”

I huff a dark laugh and shake my head.

“So you’re going to love what I’m about to say next.”

The cottonwood has stopped rustling, and the cemetery has gone still and silent.

“You used to tell me the truth had a way of surfacing if you gave it enough time.”