Chapter 44

 

Ava

 

 

I WAS STILL there when Peyton and Ruby returned. Peyton had been surprised, but not Ruby. Apparently, she had the same psychic gift as her father. Not only did she know why I was there, but she wanted me to know about the bad man who’d tried hurting them.

“Honey, you don’t have to talk about it,” Tarot said gently.

“It’s okay. She’s sad and thinks it’s because of you.” Ruby looked at me. “That man was bad. He wasn’t who you thought he was either.” She looked at Tarot. “Right, Daddy?”

He nodded.

She turned back to me with her big, innocent blue eyes. “Your brother liked little kids, but Blade hated them. He hated everyone.” As she went on as we all stared at her in astonishment. “Your brother used to take you to the park and play hide-and-seek with you,” she said with a smile. “Just like my daddy.”

She then went on to tell me how she’d been living with her mean aunt and how her father had rescued her the year before. The love in her eyes had almost brought me to tears again while I listened to the story. Thankfully, I’d pulled myself together and had found the courage to leave when they invited me to have lunch. I knew there was no way I could share a meal with them, knowing why I’d come in the first place.

Before I left, Tarot told me that he was going to talk to a friend of his, to see if they could find out what really happened to my brother.

“I don’t know what to say,” I said when he walked me to the door and handed me back my gun. “You’ve been so nice. I doubt very many people would forgive me the way you have.”

“I’m not like others,” he replied. “I see things differently. People, differently. You’re someone who wants justice. Not a cold-blooded killer. That’s why I don’t think you would have even pulled the trigger. It could have been your downfall.”

“I’d like to think I could if my life is in danger.”

He nodded. “You would. You might not be a murderer, but you’re brave.”

We walked outside.

“Where did you park?” he asked, looking around.

I told him.

“Need a ride?”

“No, I’m fine.” I sighed. “Does Jayce know yet?”

“No. I left him a message to call me.”

“He’s going to hate me when he finds out,” I replied, imagining how angry he was going to be. He had every right too.

“He’ll get over it,” Tarot replied. “Something tells me it will take a little while, though. He’s a stubborn guy at times.”

 My heart felt heavy. Now that I knew he was innocent and not involved in Andrew’s death, I longed to be near him. But, something told me Jayce wasn’t going to be as forgiving as Tarot.

I held out my hand. “Let me know what you find out and… thanks again.”

He shook my hand. “I will. Hopefully we can put this thing to rest for you.”

I couldn’t have agreed more. 

 

I WALKED BACK to my car and got in. Curiously, I felt as if a big weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Apparently not committing murder will do that to you.

I started the engine and was driving away when I received a call from Millie’s sister, Clara. We didn’t talk much, so I knew something was wrong.

“What’s going on?” I asked after answering.

“Ava, Millie’s had a heart attack,” she whimpered, tears in her voice. “Please, come home.”