Page 42 of Truth is the Ultimate Weapon

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Sure, you do. The night of the branding.”

“The picture,” Devyn muttered. “Owen was in it too.”

Glen whipped his head in Devyn’s direction, “What picture?”

“The one I planted in Lilah’s things.” Owen smiled. “Surprised you didn’t find it when you went through her journals.”

Devyn wore a look of disgust, “You went through our mother’s journals?”

“I-I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Glen claimed.

“Coy,” Owen said, “I’m going to reach inside my jacket and pull out something you all might want to see. I’d be mighty obliged if you’d hold your fire while I do so. You are in no danger, not from me. I have snipers surrounding this place to keep you all safe. We’re just here for old Glen.”

“He’s right,” Rip said, approaching from just beyond the hedges, his gun aimed right at Glen. “You all need to hear this.”

“Rip?” Devyn questioned. “You’re… with Owen? You double-crossed us?”

“Let them talk, Dev,” Coy warned.

“Kenzie?” Glen pleaded. “What’s going on, honey?”

“I-I don’t know, Uncle Glen. Let’s hear what he has to say.”

Anger filled Glen’s expression, and he whipped his gun in Devyn’s direction, finger on the trigger. “You do anything stupid, and that one won’t be going home tonight.”

“Lower your weapon, Stoddard,” Rip yelled.

“You first, you fucking thug.”

Kenzie’s shoulders sank, “Uncle Glen…”

“Don’t you see? He’s setting me up. Bridges is the backbone of this drug ring, and he’s trying to pin it on me. Aren’t you, Owen?”

Owen slowly pulled his hand from his jacket, holding a leather-bound journal just like the one Lilah had kept.

“Tell them what’s in here, Glen.” Owen seethed. “Then tell them why you stole it from her.”

“You’re a lying piece of shit, Owen. I will not confess to your sins.”

“I didn’t ask you to… I asked you to tell them why you killed their fathers, their mother, and tried to kill me, then cover it all up.”

Gasps filled the space as Owen’s words told a story none of them had been expecting.

“I did no such thing, and you can’t prove it. I, however, can prove it was all you. Starting with the dead body out by my barn, and there’s a trail of others that back up my story.”

“Dead body by the barn. You mean Tucker, the man I planted in your organization that you thought was double-crossing me as a dirty security agent?”

“What are you talking about?” Glen asked, coming completely unhinged.

“He was undercover. Wow, you really are losing your touch. I’ve been trying to nail your ass for years, and I am so glad I’m a patient man. Now, there can be justice for what you did to these families and this county.”

“Fuck off, Owen. You’re all talk. I haven’t heard a single word about what you think you have on me. Just a bunch of bullshit banter. You don’t have shit.”

“You killed my father?” Kenzie asked. “Your twin brother –– you killed him?”

“No, honey. He’s… Can’t you see… he’s desperate, he’s reaching here.” Glen pleaded.

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