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Cassie unfolded the letter as though it were a delicate flower blossoming for the first time. If she had expected a lengthy letter from David, reality would have disappointed her. She blinked away her tears to bring the page into focus.
Cassie,
I’ve spent a lifetime trying to do the right thing, only to trip and fall at the finish line. Tell Harris none of this was her fault. I knew what I was getting into. She won’t believe it, but I want her to hear it from you, anyway.
After everything we’ve been through, you would think I’d have taken some comfort in knowing there’s a life beyond this one. Only, I’m not sure I’ll be heading upstairs. I’ve made my peace with that. I hope you’ll be able to, as well.
I only have one request. Let my secrets stay buried with me. Tell Harris to let it go. Tell Lisa I’m in a better place. It won’t be easy to lie to them, but it’ll be better than the truth. Consider it one last favor from a foolish old man who always tried to do right by you.
With love,
David
Cassie’s confusion over the meaning of David’s letter kept the tears from falling once more. She had expected a final goodbye—maybe even a joke about how he hoped he didn’t see her on the other side. But this letter was nothing like she had expected.
And it terrified her.
Before Cassie had a chance to read it a second time, her phone rang from across the room. Jason had promised to text, not call, and it was well past midnight by this point. The only person who might reach out at a time like this would be her sister, but Laura had no reason to think Cassie was still awake.
When she picked up the phone, it surprised her to see Harris’ name. The last time the detective had called her was to inform her someone had attacked her. Panic filled Cassie as she hit the button to answer.
“Hello?”
“Cassie.” Harris breathed a sigh of relief tinged with static from a poor connection. “Did I wake you?”
“No.” She looked back down at the letter. “No, I’m still awake.” She cleared her throat. How would she ever be able to tell Harris what David had left for her? “I was just packing for the trip home tomorrow.” There were muffled voices in the background. “Where are you?”
“Internet cafe.” She laughed. “Did you know these still exist? Someone at the emergency room recommended this one. They’re only open for another half hour, so I’ve got to be quick.”
“Emergency room? Are you okay?” Cassie was on high alert now. “What happened?”
“I was shot.” She rushed on as soon as she heard Cassie’s gasp. “I’m fine. It was in the arm. Honestly, it’s a flesh wound. I wouldn’t have gone to the hospital if Clementine hadn’t made me. So don’t get all worked up.”
“Who shot you?”
“Some guy who works for Aguilar.” There was a pause while she waited for a pair of voices to fade into the distance. “Well, he didn’t admit that, obviously. But it wouldn’t have been the first time this week, would it?”
“Should it concern me you sound so”—she searched for the word—“chipper?”
“Normally, yes, but I’ve got good news.”
“Better than the fact that someone shot you?”
“I know who killed David.”
Cassie froze. She looked down at the letter, but she couldn’t stop herself from asking. “Who?”
“At first, I thought it was the guy who attacked me and the witness. But the gun was different, and so was the whole method. The other guy used a police-issued sniper rifle. This guy had a pistol. So, I looked through the flash drive. There’s a lot here. I started with bank transactions. Follow the money, you know?” She was breathless. “I don’t have his name. But I have information on a bank transfer from the night David died.”
Cassie tried to draw out the explanation to give her time to think. “What does Clementine think about this?”
“She doesn’t know. She suspended me.”
“What?” Cassie stood now, almost dropping the letter. “What did you do?”
“I walked straight up to Aguilar and told him I wasn’t afraid of him. It may have come off more like hey, I’m onto you, and I won’t stop until I take you down.” Harris sighed. “Not my finest hour.”
“I’ll say.”
