Disgust.
“I belong nowhere you decide.”
Gideon’s expression hardened.
“Three years changed you.”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
She stepped closer.
“You should’ve stayed dead.”
His hand moved.
Not striking.
Reaching for her wrist.
Clara pulled away.
“You always hated when I moved without permission.”
Gideon whispered.
“Clara.”
“Where’s key?”
She raised envelope.
“Safe place.”
He lunged.
The church doors opened.
Ethan stepped inside.
“Take another step.”
Gideon froze.
Ethan carried no drawn weapon.
But his size filled aisle.
Sheriff Bell entered from side.
Jonah behind.
Gideon’s face changed.
“You stupid—”
Sheriff said:
“Careful.”
Gideon smiled suddenly.
“On what charge?”
“Threatening letter.”
“Fraudulent death declaration.”
“Possible conspiracy.”
“Assault on property.”
“Enough to hold you while Massachusetts decides how much they miss you.”
Gideon looked at Clara.
“You planned this.”
She nodded.
His smile turned vicious.
“You think Blackwood will keep you when he learns everything?”
Ethan answered:
“I already know enough.”
Gideon laughed.
“She killed a man.”
Silence.
Clara went cold.
Ethan looked at her.
Gideon saw.
There.
The opening.
“Didn't tell him that?”
Clara could not breathe.
Ethan’s face stayed calm.
“Clara?”
She whispered:
“It was an accident.”
Gideon laughed again.
“Ask her about Daniel Price.”
The name dragged Clara back ten years.
A stable.
A drunk groom.
Her husband watching.
Daniel grabbing her.
Clara pushing him away.
He fell backward.
Struck iron hook.
Died two days later.
Gideon buried scandal.
Then used it forever.
Every time Clara talked about leaving:
Remember Daniel.
Remember who kept you from prison.
Clara looked at Ethan.
“I pushed him.”
“He grabbed me.”
“I pushed him.”
“He fell.”
“I never meant—”
Ethan stepped toward her.
Not away.
Gideon’s smile faltered.
Ethan asked:
“Was he hurting you?”
“Yes.”
“Did you intend kill him?”
“No.”
“Then we deal with truth.”
Gideon snapped:
“You naive bastard.”
Ethan looked at him.
“You spent years convincing her every terrible thing around her was her fault.”
“You’re finished doing that.”
Sheriff placed hand on Gideon’s arm.
“Time to go.”
Gideon resisted once.
Then stopped.
He looked at Clara.
“This isn't over.”
Clara surprised herself.
“Yes.”
“It is.”