Guilt By Degrees

87

Lilah waited until she’d gotten back to her condo and locked her bedroom door. Then she took the envelope out of her purse and examined it for signs of tampering. It looked intact. Her mouth twisted in a bitter half smile. She knew it wasn’t respect for her privacy. Her parents just didn’t want to know. She used the nail of her index finger to slice open the envelope and unfolded the letter.

Lilah,

I know why you killed Zack.

You never did find the evidence he hid on the Tran Lee hit-and-run, did you?

And I know he was trying to force you to get pregnant.

The thought of carrying the child of the animal who held you hostage was too much, wasn’t it? And if you had children together, you’d never be free of him. It was a game that would go on forever. So Zack had to die, and you deserved to get away with it. By the way, the ax was a nice touch.

Of course, you wouldn’t have had to deal with any of that if you hadn’t gotten drunk and run over that boy, Tran Lee. So when it comes right down to it, you only have yourself to blame.

Still, I’m willing to offer you a deal.

Plead guilty to aiding and abetting in Simon’s murder, and to Tran Lee’s hit-and-run. You do that, and I’ll let you plead to second-degree murder for Simon’s killing and I’ll agree to a concurrent sentence for Tran’s killing. That’ll give you fifteen years to life for two homicides.

It’s more than fair.

Call me, and I’ll arrange for you to surrender discreetly.

But if I find you first, the deal is off.

Rachel Knight

Lilah barely managed to choke back the scream of rage. Her fault? None of it was her fault! That stupid kid-it was all his fault! She’d done nothing wrong! Lilah’s breath came in ragged spurts as she tore the letter again and again, until the pieces were too small to hold. Then she put them in the sink and burned them.