Chapter 85

My eyes popped open, wet and red. “What happened to them?”

Simon looked at Craig. Craig looked at Simon. Who would do it? Who would tell the end of their story, the beginning of mine?

Craig blinked my way. “They didn’t know it,” he said, “but there were also cameras outside. They were being watched the entire time. Randall was in his car as soon as the blackout was reported. He had to find them, and since they could no longer be trusted, and since there was too much risk that they’d go to the media with their story—”

“Don’t say it,” I whispered, choking on the words. “Don’t.”

“Ultimately, they loved you,” said Simon.

“They sold me,” I replied.

“It’s not that easy,” said Craig. “None of this is black and white.”

It never had been. Nothing about life was, or so I’d discovered along my journey. I lifted my head and looked at him. “Except for the senator. All black. Black like his soul.”

Craig put his hand on my shoulder. “Dramatic much?”