Page 203 of Buried Too Deep

“Did you put his body in the Damper Building?”

“Yes. Had to…keep anyone…from finding him. Afraid…would lead…to me.”

Cora barely restrained her fury. “Did you write the letters?”

“Yessss.” He slurred the word, more blood bubbling from his mouth. “To distract you. Then…to help you. So you’d think he loved you. Sorry. So sorry. Never meant…to hurt you.”

“You don’t get to apologize,” Cora snarled. His actions had hurt her mother for years. Had kept the police from finding her father’s murderer. “You’re not forgiven, Patrick. I’m sorry for that.”

“Fair,” he whispered. “Tried. To be your father.”

“But you weren’t. My father was dead.” She reached up on the counter and grabbed a towel, pressing it to his wound because the cloth napkins were now too wet. Useless.

“Tandy…didn’t know.”

“I know.” Cora glanced over at her oldest friend, whose expression had changed from dazed and numb to full of sorrow. “I’ll take care of her, Patrick. You have my word.”

“Th-thank you.” He tried to reach for Tandy again and this time she scooted forward. Her hands were still tied, but she could speak.

“Daddy?” The word came out a sob. “I love you.”

“Love you, too.” More blood bubbled up. Cora gave up trying to save his life. She rose and grabbed a paring knife from the butcher block and began to saw at the ropes tying Tandy’s hands.

Patrick was going to die. At least Tandy could hold his hand.

The moment Tandy was free she grabbed her father’s hands, sobbing uncontrollably.

At least Tandy would get to say goodbye.

Which was more than Cora had been allowed.

Bitter. You’re bitter.

I’m angry. I’m allowed.

She returned to Phin’s side. “Where’s SodaPop?”

“Left her outside. Didn’t want her…to get hurt.”

“And Val?”

“Don’t know. Find her.”

Cora kissed him again. “The ambulance will be here soon. Do not die.”

He smiled weakly. “Yes sir, Cora, sir.”

Cora was exhausted, staggering as she ran from the kitchen. She opened the front door first, hoping SodaPop hadn’t run away.

She should have known better. The dog was sitting on the welcome mat and ran past her to the kitchen the moment the door was opened wide enough.

SodaPop would keep Phin calm until the medics arrived. That was important.

She made herself run up the stairs, holding on to the handrail for support. Covering the shiny wood with blood.

It’ll clean.

She checked all the rooms for Val but found no one, so she ran back down and out the front door. Her back gate was open. It had been closed before.

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