Dastardly Bastard(65)

Justine remembered Donald had said he was an author back in the real world. She decided to look up one of his books when she got home.

The group followed the officer back into Bay’s End so they could give proper statements while forensic teams tried to make sense of everything. Donald’s story had been sound, no holes, but investigators had to… well, investigate.

Trevor followed close behind Mark’s tiny car, paying attention to the road. He remained silent, stoic behind the wheel.

But as they passed the Bay’s End city limits sign, Trevor finally asked, “You wouldn’t know what happened to my pants, would you? I’m surprised that cop didn’t ask me why I was half naked.”

Justine could only laugh.

He snaked a hand into hers. Justine kissed the back of his hand, thinking she would never let it go. Never again. His fingers found the engagement band on her ring finger and twirled it slowly.

“Looks good on you.” Trevor took his eyes off the road for a brief moment, meeting her gaze. His smile shone in the light coming through the windshield. She didn’t know if a person could fall in love with someone twice, but it sure felt as though she was doing just that.

“And it always will.” Justine leaned back in her seat and watched the caravan of survivors enter Bay’s End. “Now and forever.”





THE MEMORIES REMAIN





51


LYLE PACKED WHILE GRANDMA BOBBI waited in the living room, a book of cryptograms splayed out on her lap under a working pencil. He barely knew her, but she was all he had left. Mom and Dad were gone. He’d spent a week with Child Protective Services waiting for her to arrive. She lived in Burbank, California, somewhere Lyle had never been. He was certain his life in So Cal would be much different from his smalltown life in Bay’s End, but he was glad to be leaving.

Everywhere he looked, he saw his parents. They were in the back of the closet when he pulled clothes off hangers; in the living room, sitting on either side of his grandmother while she did her puzzle; watching him from the doorway in the hall while he boxed up DVDs from his entertainment center.

Somehow, he was comforted. Their memories remained. The realization was hard to swallow. No matter what you did in life, no matter where you went, memories were created. You just couldn’t focus on the bad ones. Those things were behind you. Gone.

The Bastard couldn’t be forgotten, but he could be suppressed. Mom and Dad would make sure of that.

Lyle placed his final bit of clothing into his suitcase and zipped it up. His cell phone went off in his pocket.

The screen told him he had a new text. He unlocked the screen and opened the message.

how you holding up???

Between police interviews, Lyle had given Justine his number. Lyle had no way of knowing whether his grandmother was going to keep paying the bill, but it still worked for the moment.

Lyle turned the phone sideways and brought up the keyboard.

hangin in there. u?

making it. just wanted to check in :) thx

no problem

Lyle’s grandmother cleared her throat from the doorway. She pointed at him with the rolled-up puzzle book. “You about ready?”

“Yeah. Gimme a sec.”

“We have a long—”

“I know. Just a minute?”

“All right. But hurry up.” She turned to leave, but stopped. “I’m sorry. Take your time. We’re gonna be okay. I just gotta get used to this.”

“Me, too. Don’t worry. I’m not such a bad kid.”

“Never thought you were. I’ll be in the living room when you’re ready.”

Lyle nodded. His phone went off again.

u let us know if you need anything… okay?

Lyle looked back up to make sure his grandmother had gone. A smile slowly spread across his face. Mom and Dad stood in the doorway. Their faces said everything was going to be just fine. He agreed.

will do!!!





52


JUSTINE MCCARTHY STOOD WITH TREVOR at Nana Penance’s grave. A warm Georgia breeze played over her skin, killing the chill that had settled inside her. She didn’t like cemeteries.

“We can go if you want, baby.” Trevor wrapped his arm around her waist.

“No, it’s all right.”

Justine knelt, setting flowers atop her grandmother’s final resting place. Beside Nana Penance’s gravestone was Papa’s. Justine remembered her conversation with her grandmother, the talk in the limo. The confession. When she had told Trevor, he hadn’t seemed shocked. He had just reassured her that sometimes bad things had to happen so that good things could survive.

She thought about Scott and how her hands had felt on his neck. She shuddered in Trevor’s grasp.

Could she ever forgive herself? Maybe she could. With Trevor’s help. The fact that what she’d done had been needed did not comfort her. The memory would haunt her for the rest of her life. Yet, she could only focus on the present. Nana Penance didn’t visit her anymore, and Justine thought that was for the best. The old woman deserved to rest. She’d fought the good fight and won.

“There’s only today,” she said, more to herself than to Trevor.

“Don’t forget about tomorrow. You’re getting married, remember?”

“How could I forget?” She stood and kissed Trevor.