Page 427 of A Matter of Time

“He finally confessed that he’d found out a few months ago what his mother and Mr. Fain were doing, and he was going to the police when Mr. Fain threatened to kill you. To keep you safe, he pretended like he was kidnapped, and when it went too far, he ran and was shot. He wanted to tell you the truth, but he had no idea what to do.” He let out a deep sigh. “It’s like all his fingerprints at the Joyce Fain crime scene. He was looking for evidence that tied his mother and Greg together that he would have brought to us. Instead, he just made himself look guilty. He’s an idiot, but he’s an innocent idiot.”

“Isn’t he still an accessory?” Dane asked Agent Calhoun.

“Oh, he’s going to be charged with obstruction and being an accessory and⁠—”

“But there are extenuating circumstances that will be taken into consideration,” Sam assured me, rubbing my back. “Don’t worry, we won’t let Caleb go to jail, just probation and endless community service.”

I nodded and looked at Agent Calhoun. “And whose apartment was that today?”

“Campbell Haddock.”

“Who’s that?”

“Apparently, he and Susan Reid are having an affair. That apartment, that he rents, that Susan has a key for, is the place where they meet.”

“And where is he?”

“Out of town,” Agent Calhoun said as his eyes stayed on mine. “He travels a lot on business. He’s a fertilizer salesman.”

I took that all in. “So Susan killed all those men.” It was hard to wrap my brain around.

“Her and Greg Fain. Yes.”

“Why would he help her?”

“That, we don’t know, but we’ll find the connection.”

“Okay.”

“Jory.”

I looked at Dane.

“You should be very proud of yourself. You alone saved Caleb. You alone believed in him. He has you to thank for the rest of his life.”

And I was happy for Caleb, so happy, but there was something not right back at that apartment.

“What did you think of all the pictures on the wall?” I asked Agent Calhoun.

“Run-of-the-mill crazy. I’m sure they’ll be studying Susan Reid for years.”

And I was sure they would be, but still, something was wrong. “Nothing about those pictures bothered you?”

Calhoun shook his head.

Maybe it was me, then.

“God, I can’t wait to go home.” Dane exhaled deeply, and I realized from looking at him and how tired he and Sam seemed that I had put them both through hell.

“I’m sorry,” I said honestly, my voice wavering.

“How can anyone ever be mad at you when your heart is always in the right place?” he asked gently, smiling at me.

“Like this,” Sam snapped, turning an accusing finger on me. “You ever pull any of those bullshit stunts again and you will learn the true meaning of pain.”

I smiled at him as Dane chuckled.

“I myself hope you mess up,” Agent Calhoun assured me.