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Duke asked, “Did he leave a note about why?”

“He did, typed on the computer in the room It’s a confession”

“Confession to what?” I asked

“You didn’t mention the note before,” Newman said

“I was getting to it, but Duke wanted the marshals here for it”

“Newned the warrant over to Blake, so it’s her case now, and she doesn’t go much of anywhere without the other two,” Leduc said

“I thought the execution warrant would be ston said “The note was on his coh nakha for the Babingtons They pro the jewels off it He didn’t know they meant to hurt anyone with it, and he’s sorry about what happened to Ray Marchand”

“If he’d come forith the information, it could have saved Bobby’s life,” Newman said

“Maybe he thought it would implicate him in the murder,” Rico said

“I can see hi how ht better of Care that could save him” Duke shook his head and looked suddenly older and exhausted again, as if he’d learned one thing too many about human behavior

“Maybe Muriel threatened to lie and say that it was all Carmichael’s idea,” Rico said

“You think he’d really let Bobby die rather than risk co forward?” Duke said

“I don’t want to believe it, Duke, but it looks like that’s what he did,” Newman said

Duke took his hat off and wiped a hand over his face like he was trying to use the air to wash it “It was easier to believe that Bobby lost control of the beast inside him and accidentally killed Ray than to believe this kind of cold-blooded shit”

“Sometimes it’s easier if they’re real monsters instead of your family and friends,” I said