Dane’s vehicle was found abandoned near the river.

Brenda was gone.

A bloodstain marked the passenger door.

We did not know if it was hers.

My mother was taken to a secure hospital.

I sat beside her through the night.

She touched the fading bruise on my cheek.

“Who did this?”

I looked toward Andrew.

He stood outside the glass door.

“My husband.”

Her hand fell.

“He saved me tonight.”

“That doesn’t erase yesterday.”

“No.”

She studied my face.

“You still love him.”

“I don’t know.”

“That means yes.”

I looked away.

Andrew entered quietly.

My mother stared at him for a long time.

“You hit my daughter.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

He swallowed.

“Because I was arrogant.”

“Because I wanted obedience more than truth.”

“That is not an excuse.”

“No.”

“Will you ask her to forgive you?”

“Not until I become someone worthy of asking.”

For the first time, my mother’s expression softened slightly.

Evelyn entered with news.

Dane’s campaign plane was scheduled to depart from a private airfield.

Destination unknown.

We moved quickly.

At the airfield, agents surrounded the hangar.

Dane appeared holding Brenda at gunpoint.

She had blood on her shirt.

“Let me leave,” he shouted, “or she dies.”

Brenda looked at me.

There was fear in her face.

But also calculation.

“Do it,” she said.

Dane tightened his grip.

“Quiet.”

Brenda drove her elbow backward.

Then she dropped.

A shot fired.

Andrew pushed me behind a vehicle.

Agents tackled Dane.

Brenda lay on the runway.

The bullet had grazed her side.

She laughed weakly when I reached her.

“Guess I finally did something useful.”

“You nearly got yourself killed.”

“I was already dead the night I smiled after he slapped you.”

Her eyes filled.

“I’m sorry.”

I did not forgive her.

But I took her hand until the ambulance arrived.

Dane was placed under arrest.

We thought it was over.

Then Evelyn received a call.

Her face turned pale.

“The federal prosecutor was found dead.”

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