If you're betrayed, release disappointment at once. (Toba Beta)

“Am I going to jail?”

“It helps that you were overseas. It helps that you have several other properties.”

“Why do the properties help?”

“You can claim you never spent any time here. You never knew. I've transferred Miami's title to property manger on all the documents they'll ask for, Martin was on payroll too. We're going to pawn it off on them. I've already spoke with Tommy. He's taking the fall for you. He's saying he was the mastermind. He's conglomerating the assistance of Miami and Martin. Honey, there's a good chance that you might walk away from this.”

I sobbed.

“It's great that you've been attending church. That will go a long way with the jurors if this takes you to court.”

Courtney Steinbecker had regained her psychopathic composure and was back to being my emotionless lawyer. I wasn't ready for that yet. People had died and it was my fault. Lives were ruined and it was my fault. It wasn't like the hippie I had killed at fourteen, these were good people with families and hopes and dreams and promise. I had taken all that.

“I need Rider,” I whispered.

“Okay,” she nodded. “There's a search warrant issued for your other properties. I'm going to sign it. We can't clean house first but I'll get a disposal phone and have the housekeepers put the guns in their uniforms or cars or what-have-you, somewhere unsearchable. Aside from that, they're clean right?”

I nodded silently and whispered Rider's name again.

She got out and a moment later he took her place.

“You did it this time,” he accused. “You really screwed up, Honey. Do you have any idea the...”

I softly sobbed in my C-formation, hunched over myself.

“Honey,” he sighed.

I collapsed onto his lap and curled into the fetal position. He patted my shoulder, rubbed my back, and let me sob until I fell asleep.