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“Yes,” I agreed, “he did”

I’d spent sonot to feel or care, but it was utterly impossible now I hurt for her and the faiven anything for more time with my mother before her death

E to wash down some of her es were good, she’d had a hard tione, she spiraled I tried to get her help, but I didn’t have any money, and more importantly, she didn’t want help”

I had no idea what kind of expression was frozen on my face, but aze away and stared vacantly at my bed

She delivered it in asad news “She drank herself to death when I was eighteen, and maybe she would have done it no matter what happened to my dad I shouldn’t put her death on Laeance ca do”

Jesus

“Emery” Her na, but words were inadequate I had no idea what to say

Her attention drifted back toached All the power she’d had up until this uish, but when her eyes landed on me, the power abandoned her She appeared so vulnerable and devastatingly real, I refused to accept this as anything other than the truth

“I was going to tell you,” she said quietly, “but, Vance, I’ve spent nearly ten years working toward this If Laet another chance I couldn’t trust anyone I had to be careful”

“I understand that,” I answered autoiven her no reason not to, she didn’t trust , and that was fair Cape Hill was full of liars and cheats Plus, I hadn’t confessed to her why I wanted to get inside Lambert’s safe either My reason was defensive and selfish, but hers was er

I wanted this revenge for her

Abruptly, I sat up straighter in my chair “Wait a minute You already did it—you cracked into Lambert’s safe”

It was like I’d punched her in the stoo as I’d planned”