The Final Detail

Oh God

Sophie nodded at him.

Myron's mouth felt dry as a sandstorm. Clu committed suicide?

Sophie tried a smile, but she just couldn't quite make it.

Myron started to stand, his bad knee audibly creaking as he rose. The end of his marriage, the failed drug test, but mostly the past coming back at him it was all too much. He shot himself in the head. The other shots were just to throw the police off. The crime scene was messed up so no one would be able to analyze the blood splatters and see it was a suicide. It was all a diversion.

A coward to the end, Sophie said.

But how did you know he killed himself? Did you have his place bugged or under

surveillance?

Nothing so technical, Myron. He wanted us to find him me specifically.

Myron just stared at her.

We were supposed to have our big confrontation that night. Yes, Clu had hit rock bottom,

Myron. But I was not through with him. Not by a long shot. An animal deserved a quick kill. Not

Clu Haid. But when Jared and I arrived, he'd already taken the gutless way out.

And the money?

It was there. As you noted, the anonymous stranger who sent him the diskette and made all

those phone calls was blackmailing him. But he knew it was us. I took the money that night and

donated it to the Child Welfare Institute.

You caused him to kill himself.

She shook her head, her posture still ramrod. Nobody causes someone to kill himself. Clu Haid

chose his fate. It was not what I intended but

Intended? He's dead, Sophie.

Yes, but it was not what I intended. Just as you, Myron, did not intend to cover up my

daughter's murder.

Silence.

You took advantage of his death, Myron said. You planted the blood and gun in my car and

office. Or you hired someone to do it.

Yes.

He shook his head. The truth has to come out, he said.

No.

I'm not letting Esperanza rot in jail

It's done, Sophie Mayor said.

What?

My attorney is meeting with the DA as we speak. Anonymously, of course. They won't know whom he represents.

I don't understand.

I kept evidence that night, she said. I took pictures of the body. They'll test Clu's hand for powder residue. I even have a suicide note, if need be. The charges against Esperanza will be dropped. She'll be released in the morning. It's over.

The DA isn't going to settle for that. He's going to want to know the whole story.

Life is full of wants, Myron. But the DA won't get it in this case. He'll just have to live with that reality. And in the end it's just a suicide anyway. High profile or not, it won't be a priority. She reached into her pocket and took out a piece of paper. Here, she said. It's Clu's suicide note.

Myron hesitated. He took the note, immediately recognizing Clu's handwriting. He started reading:

Dear Mrs. Mayor,

The torment has gone on long enough. I know you won't accept my apology and I can't say that I blame you. But I also don't have the strength to face you. I've been running away from that night all my life. I hurt my family and my friends, but I hurt nobody so much as I hurt you. I hope my death gives you some measure of comfort.

I am the one to blame for what happened. Billy Lee Palms just did what I told him to. The same goes for Myron Bolitar. I paid off the police. Myron just delivered the money. He never knew the truth. My wife was knocked out in the accident. She also never knew the truth and she still doesn't.

The money is all here. Do with it what you will. Tell Bonnie that I'm sorry and that I understand everything.

And let my children know that their father always loved them. They were the only thing pure and good in my life. You, of all people, should understand that.