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"Bullshit," Ryan countered "Because I also know you'd increased the insurance appraisal andthat to oods they stole and made a bundle It was the perfect scaet her out of the way"

"It sounds like a work of fiction" But Russ's eyes darted fro to every word Though she'd thought Russ had an unusual interest in the keys, in her wildest drea like this

"By the way, I also know that it wasn't Faith's choice to run away You gave her money and told her to take a hike because everyone at hoone and nobody would miss her once she disappeared"

Zoe winced as Ryan revealed the most painful betrayal of all

Ryan's throat hurt froer overwhele that the onekeeping hiht noas Zoe, who stepped up and silently clasped her hand inside his

"YouFaith's words out of context," Russ said, his voice shaking, his fear real

But not as real as his sister's ht "How could you?" he asked barely concealing his disdain

Russ's eyes suddenly blazed with emotion "How could I? I'll tell you hoas Faith's only ally in that house, just like I've been yours I was the one who coment I bailed her out of trouble more times than your fas shook and he lowered himself into the nearest chair Zoe remained behind him, her hand on his shoulder and he appreciated her steady support "What are you talking about?" Because for all his sister had revealed in her letter, he'd sensed there was much she hadn't said

And unfortunately, Uncle Russ was the only one who could fill in the blanks It was up to Ryan to decide whether or not to believe him

His uncle rose and paced the slassbehind him, but Ryan felt as if the sky were full of black clouds

"Your sister had been doing drugs for years," Uncle Russ began "I didn't knohere she got theet her into treatment and I paid for shrinks your parents didn't know about, but the bottoo hoht Therapy wasn't working So when she came to me that last time, I had no choice"

"But to throw her out?" Ryan asked, unable to contain his sarcashter

"To bail her out and send her away" Russ shook his head, the bachelor looking older than his years for the first time in Ryan's memory

But Ryan wasn't ready to believe that easily He sed hard "What do you mean?"

"Your sister ran out ofher cash and I sure wasn't helping her kill herself We all thought she'd give in and let herself be helped But she began to borrow money from a friend at school The friend turned out to be connected and when Faith couldn't pay him back, he threatened her And she ca eyes He refused to be conned, but so far the story ht his boss They were only too willing to let , using your sister's addiction to further their botto Faith was never about the couple of hundred dollars she owed They wanted a cut of Baldwin's profits And they wouldn't leave her be until they got it"