Chapter 15

A small voice tried to tell him that Gideon wasn’t Superman. He wasn’t a superhero. He was vulnerable in his own way, and nobody was perfect all the time. Not even Gideon. But most of Jesse didn’t believe that. Couldn’t believe that. Not until he had proof, and barring proof, at least had the ability to recall his lovers’ final moments.

He carried the books back to his bedroom and sat with them on the bed for a long time. Maybe hours. Just opening the volume again seemed to take all of his courage. Whatever he recovered, whatever he found, would haunt him. Would color his thin and impossible dreams. But if he didn’t know for sure, he would just continue constructing his own scenarios, and those were killing him, too.