Then stopped.
Derek saw it.
“Mom.”
Rebecca looked at him.
“I knew he was scared.”
Silence.
“What?”
“The last month.”
She covered her mouth.
“He stopped sleeping.”
Derek stared.
“You told us he was stressed about money.”
“He was.”
“That’s not the same thing.”
“I had two boys.”
Derek laughed bitterly.
“So?”
“I was trying to keep you normal.”
“You lied.”
“I was protecting you.”
“From what?”
“I didn't know!”
Her voice broke across the yard.
Everyone stopped.
“I didn't know what he was involved in. He wouldn't tell me.”
She looked toward Walter.
“He told your father more than he told me.”
Dad shook his head.
“Not enough.”
Rebecca continued.
“He kept checking the windows.”
“He started driving different routes.”
“One night he came home and removed something from the garage.”
“What?”
“I don’t know.”
“You never asked?”
“I asked every day.”
She wiped her face.
“He told me if anyone came asking questions, I should take you boys to my sister’s house.”
Derek’s anger faltered.
Todd whispered:
“How old were we?”
“Derek, twenty-five. Todd, sixteen.”
Derek shook his head.
“I wasn't a child.”
“To me you were.”
I looked toward Sheriff Mercer.
“Today’s attempted access.”
He nodded.
“Yes.”
“Could be connected?”
“We don't know.”
“But the site link triggered the historical comparison.”
“Yes.”
“And Derek’s credential?”
“Used physically.”
“Camera?”
“Partial image.”
“What does partial mean?”
“Hat. Jacket. Face obscured.”
“Vehicle?”
“None captured clearly.”
Derek stepped forward.
“Then somebody stole my card.”
Mercer looked at him.
“Possibly.”
“Possibly?”
“You reported it missing?”
Derek opened his mouth.
Closed it.
“No.”
“Why?”
“I didn't know.”
“When was the last time you saw it?”
He thought.
“Yesterday.”
“Where?”
“Home.”
Mercer looked toward Rebecca.
Derek did too.
She stepped backward.
“No.”
“Mom.”
“I did not use your card.”
“Then why was it in your car?”
“I told you.”
“No, you didn't.”
Derek’s voice had changed.
The swagger disappeared.
Now he sounded like a son.
“I found it at your house.”
“When?”
“This morning.”
“Why were you there?”
“I brought breakfast.”
“You weren't supposed to come by.”
“I know.”
Derek’s face changed again.
“Did you go into my office?”
Rebecca said nothing.
“Mom.”
“I was looking for a phone charger.”
“You hate my chargers.”
“That’s not the point.”