The Edge

Chapter 82

Dak was in a shoulder harness. Alex’s physical wounds had mostly healed but her mental injuries still needed attention.

They had driven Devine to the airport in Bangor for his flight back to DC.

Devine had held meetings with both Harper and Fuss, and the federal agents Mann and Saxon, going through multiple briefings. He had done the same via Zoom with Emerson Campbell. Everyone had been complimentary of his work. They considered the investigation a success on every level, and everyone was relieved that Jenny’s phone and laptop had ended up in the ocean. He’d even gotten Benjamin Bing’s confession recorded on his iPhone.

Campbell had saluted him on the computer screen and said, “Thank you, Devine. Job well done. And it meant a lot to me personally.”

“Yes sir.”

“Clare has been briefed. She sent her thanks and gratitude to you. And I... I told Curt. I know he didn’t understand but it made me feel better.”

“Maybe he understood more than you think, sir.”

However, Devine didn’t agree with their assessment of a successful mission, because of the long line of dead people associated with it. If he had lost this many soldiers during an op, it would have been an abject failure in his mind, despite their achieving the mission goals.

The town had been informed, by both formal and gossip channels, about most of what had happened. To say that the citizens of Putnam were shocked to their core did not even come close to describing it accurately.

Dak shook Devine’s hand with his good one. “Thanks, man. You did right by the Silkwells, I can tell you that. And you saved Alex’s life.”

“You’re welcome. And the elver business?” asked Devine, while glancing at Alex.

“I’ve applied for a proper permit but we may not need it.”

“Really, why not?”

“Because we’ve got lawyers and they’ve filed a wrongful death action against the whole damn Bing family. They were all in on it, or at least knew about it, as your recording of that dick Benjamin helped prove. His brothers have already offered tens of millions to settle. But I’m going to squeeze them for every last penny.” He looked at Alex and his happy expression faded. “And it still won’t be enough. It won’t bring Jenny back.”

“No, it won’t,” said Devine.

Dak glanced awkwardly at his sister and said, “Well, I’ll give you two some alone time.”

He walked off and Devine drew closer to Alex.

“How are you?” he asked. “Really?”

“I don’t know,” she said. “One minute I think I’m healing and the next... I don’t know.”

“It all takes time.”

“Yeah, that’s what everyone keeps telling me,” she replied in a dismissive tone. “I’m sure by the time I’m eighty, I’ll be just fine.”

“You really didn’t need me to save you. You took care of Fred all by yourself.”

“With the help of your Army knife. When he came to the house and kidnapped me, I made sure I put on the coat that had the knife in the pocket. He was an idiot not to search me, but he probably figured I was still that same little scared teenager. I didn’t manage to stab him in the gut like you showed me, but after I cut the ropes and freed myself, I did remember to twist the knife in the wound. That did the trick.” She slowly shook her head in amazement. “I can’t believe I just said that. It was like I was watching someone else do all of it. I’m not a violent person.”

“Everyone can be violent when violence is the only way to survive.”

She touched his arm. “I guess your life has been full of that.”

“More than I would like, yeah.” He paused. “I saw the drawing you had started. Will you finish it now?”

“I already did. Up here.” She tapped her head. “You know, Fred said he loved me, as he was methodically preparing to kill me.”

“Love and murder are not mutually exclusive. In fact, more murders are committed over love than hatred or jealousy or anything else.”

“God, what a world we live in.”

“What will you do now?”

“Grieve for my sister. Grieve for my father when the time comes. And I plan to visit him.”

“I’ll go with you, if you’d like me to.”

She took his hand in hers. “Yes, I would. I’m not sure I could face that alone.”

“I think you can face anything with or without me, Alex.”

“I was planning on seeing my mother, too.”

“I think that’s a good idea,” he said.

She looked at him curiously. “You do? Why?”

“Because as time goes on, and you start to lose people dear to you, you realize nothing should prevent you from being with them while you still can.”

“Easier said than done.”

Devine thought of his estrangement from his family. “Yes, it is. But people can at least try. So, will you stay in Putnam?”

“No. We’re selling the property. There’s nothing there for me. And I’m going to Italy, Rome, and Florence, the cities of great artists. I’d like to see some of the paintings and sculptures for real instead of in a book or on a screen. That’s just to start. Like you said, it’s a big world and I have a lot of catching up to do.” She hesitated, looking anxious.

“What?”

“I’m sure you’ve been all over the world. And I was wondering — any desire to maybe go with me to some of these places?”

“I have been all over the world, but not with you. Let me see if I can make that work.”

“I don’t want you to go to any trouble.”

“I don’t do things I don’t want to do, Alex.”

She leaned against him. “Neither do I.”

They lingered with each other until the very last possible second. Then Devine sprinted to his gate to make his flight.

A couple hours later he was back in DC. Devine grabbed his bags and headed to the taxi stand after weaving his way through large crowds of people in the airport.

He got into the cab and gave the driver his address. When it came time to pay he reached for his wallet in his jacket pocket. In pulling it out a slip of paper came along with it.

He unfolded it and looked down at the elegant handwriting on the sheet.