AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Let’s pretend you didn’t. Let’s pretend you found out about Aaron and waited.”
“Is your theory that I knew about who both brothers reallywere and what they were doing but withheld the information from the police so that I could plot their murders, one after the other, in order to maximize the benefit I’d receive?”
The way the scenario rolled off her tongue. She didn’t stammer or laugh. She spelled it out as if it were true... and Ginny was pretty sure it was. “It’s a good theory.”
“I’d have to be a psychopath.”
“Or very smart. A person with a law degree who knew how the pieces worked.” But that was only part of it. Stopping there made her sound calculating and most concerned with the money, and Ginny didn’t buy that. “A woman who was done with the sick men in her life and took them out before they could do more damage. And just happened to earn a big payday doing it.”
“Interesting hypothetical.” Lila’s smile grew wider. “I especially like the last part.”
“We both know it’s true.”
Lila played with the mug. Spun it around but didn’t pick it up again. “Have any evidence to prove it?”
“You know I don’t.”
Lila let out a long breath. “Well, if it makes you feel better, I have Tobias working with the student victims to pay out settlements and get them help. They’ll be taken care of once the estate settles.”
Of course she did. Ginny should have seen that coming. The blood money would bother Lila.
“He’s also reached out to the families of Karen, Julie, and Yara about setting up some sort of foundation in their honor.”
Ginny ran a quick calculation in her head. “That doesn’t sound like ten million dollars.”
“About half.” Lila glanced around the now near-empty family room area. “I don’t need big houses and fancy watches, but it will be nice not to worry about how to pay the bills.”
“Any chance you’re going to spend some of your remaining share of the wealth on getting help?”
Lila’s smile fell. “Like a gardener?”
“Ryan might be an ass, but that doesn’t mean his diagnosis of you was all wrong.” Ginny could see Lila’s body shut down. She hadn’t moved, but that shield she threw up whenever anyone dug into emotions or health went up and stayed there. “You don’t have to be a victim.”
“I’m a survivor.”
That’s how she would describe Lila, too. If anyone asked her about this case in the future, she would use that word. “True.”
Some of the tension left Lila’s shoulders. “That’s good enough for me.”
“Okay.” Ginny got off the stool and set her untouched coffee on the counter, closer to Lila. “Then we’re done here.”
“You’re leaving?”
“I came to say goodbye. To let you know that you won. The case as to who really killed Aaron will slowly fade then be closed, but I know the truth. We both do.” Ginny remembered one more detail. “And the information you provided about Jared admitting to setting up Brent? The computer analystsare double-checking to make sure that’s true, but you likely saved him from jail time for something he didn’t do.”
Lila studied Ginny for a few seconds. Let her gaze wander over her. “You should be sheriff, not Charles.”
“I’m not a desk job type.”
“You’re a leader. The only one in this case I ever worried about.”
“I’m assuming that’s as close as you’ll ever get to confessing to planning the Payne brothers’ deaths.”
“Hypothetically, yes.”
Then she’d take that. She’d make it be enough. “Goodbye, Lila. I hope wherever you go you find whatever it is you’re looking for.”
“Honestly? I’ve given up on finding anything worth keeping.”
