The Remedy (The Program 0.5)(99)

At first Deacon doesn’t acknowledge the motion, but then, mostly out of curiosity, he takes the paper. The dollar amount makes his breath catch, twists his stomach in anxious knots, like he’s already guilty of something.

“This . . . ,” Deacon starts, not finding the words to attach to his feelings.

Arthur nods. “Understand, if there was another way to get the truth, I would take it. But as it stands, Quinlan is not being honest with her advisor; her advisor is not being honest with us. You’re the only person who can do this job.”

Deacon’s eyes well up. The money is more than he could have imagined—he’d never have to work as a closer again. He could buy a house, go back to school, maybe even college. He could have a future—something he never really dreamed was possible. But at what cost?

“No,” he whispers. Deacon crumples the piece of paper in his hand and tosses it violently aside. Tosses his dreams aside—for her. Always for her. “I can’t do it,” Deacon says as tears spill onto his cheeks. He shakes his head, helpless. “I love her,” he breathes out.

Arthur is quiet for a long moment, his brow pulled together in sympathy. But then his expression brightens, and he steps forward to put his hands on Deacon’s shoulders, leveling their gaze. Arthur Pritchard smiles sadly.

“I know you do, son,” he tells him. “And that’s exactly why you’re the perfect person to be her handler.”