I turn the television off, a sick feeling twisting in my gut. Zeth did that. I know he did. There are plenty of other people out there who had reason to set a fire in Charlie Holsan’s former home, but I know in my very bones it was Zeth. Pippa sits on the couch beside me, still staring at the now black TV screen.
“Is it wrong that I’m glad he’s dead?” she says softly.
I turn to look at her, surprised. “Really? You’re glad he’s dead?”
“Of course I am. He did countless unspeakable things to you. And…and to Zeth. He poisoned that woman at the gas station. And he scared the living shit out of me when he broke into that apartment to take Lacey. Not to mention he’s the whole reason Lacey is dead.”
When she puts it like that, I can see her point. She’s just so proper, though. Hearing her admit she’s glad someone like Charlie got what he deserved is a little out of character. “I thought you’d rather we trusted in the justice system. Send the bastard to jail, or something.”
Pippa shakes her head. “Hell, no. Prison is too good for the likes of him. Better he rots in hell than leeches off the state for the rest of his life. Plus,” she says, her voice taking on a hard edge, “he would still have been able to control things from inside. There are always people ready to carry out orders on prisoners’ behalves. You and Zeth would still have been in danger.”
I don’t know if she even realizes she’s included Zeth in her concern, but the fact that she has makes me feel like crying. I know we’re a long way off yet, but I can almost see a future where Pippa not only supports my relationship with the man she considers solely responsible for ruining my life, but perhaps…perhaps she will even like him. It’s a long shot, wishing for something like that, but I have to be an optimist about these things. If I’m not, I’ll go crazy.
Michael returns home mid-afternoon with a black eye and a split lip. Pippa rockets off the couch when he stumbles through the door, still in the running gear he was wearing earlier, though now soaked in blood. “Oh my god, is that your blood?” she gasps.
Michael lifts one eyebrow at the sight of Pippa at The Regency Rooms. “Not all of it,” he says. And then, to me, “Where’s the boss? He back yet?”
I shake my head. “I tried calling him earlier. He didn’t answer. I figured…I figured he needed some space.”
In truth, it hurt a little that Zeth let his cell phone ring out rather than talk to me, but I know how torn up inside he is right now. He’s off dealing with his problems the only way he knows how—by torching buildings and god knows what else. Better not to guess.
“He’ll be back before nightfall. He swore he would,” Michael says.
“And Julio? What happened with Julio and Rebel?”
Michael casts a cautious eye in Pippa’s direction. “Maybe it’s better I don’t go into details right now. Suffice it to say, Rebel’s problems are all solved now. And we don’t need to worry about Julio again, either.”
He’s probably right. Pippa doesn’t even know half of the crap Rebel’s involved in, and neither do I. Frankly, I don’t want to know. So long as Michael’s okay, then I’m happy to leave the conversation for another time. From the tone of his voice and the finality of his words, Julio Perez is just as dead as Charlie Holsan and that’s all I need to hear.
“There is just one thing, though,” Michael tells me, wincing as he sits down on one of the stools at the breakfast bar. “It’s your sister.” Despite everything that’s happened, despite nearly all of this mess being her fault, my heart leaps into my throat.
“What? What is it? Is she okay?”
Michael nods. “She’s fine. However, she’s here in Seattle. And…she wants to see you.”
Lacey instantly comes to mind. I’ve considered her a sister for so long now; it’s been less than twenty-four hours since we buried her, and right now it seems as though the pain of her loss is never going to fade. I’ve lost a sister, but I still have another one who is very much alive. Should I still be angry with Alexis? Yes. Will I ever be able to forgive her for what she put me through? I don’t know. But does that mean I should cut her out of my life forever? My father knew she was alive for a long time, while Mom and I tore ourselves apart worrying about her, and then fearing her dead. But he said I don’t know Alexis’ side of the story—that she had a reason for what she did. Maybe it’s time for me to give her a chance to tell me her side. The very thought makes me angry—like there could ever be a reason good enough—but I guess, from the outside looking in, my own situation might be just as hard for my family and friends to comprehend. I’m sure Pip would attest to that.