Page 166 of To Die For

“It’s okay.”

“But I used one, too.”

“Yes, only the one she gave you had no poison on it. Just your parents’.”

“And I remember the waitress came and collected them with tongs.”

“I’m sure she did. The poison would have been rapidly absorbed into their skin. The woman told me that within sixty seconds you could have shaken hands with your mom and been fine. But it was still risky, for you.”

“Where is this bitch? Did you arrest her?”

“No. But she won’t be hurting anyone anymore.”

Odom started to protest, but then realization spread across her features. “She’s…?”

“Yes. She took her own life.”

She wiped at her tears and said, “When will all this stop? When will they stop hurting people?”

“They’re not going to hurt you, Betsy. Now it’s their turn to hurt.”

“Happy Birthday!” Shore and Rose said together as they trooped into the room. The latter was carrying a birthday cake with thirteen candles.

Devine looked from them to the teary-eyed Odom, who made a valiant effort to smile.

“This is so awesome, guys,” she said, quickly rubbing her eyes.

“Look at her, Dozer, girl’s so happy, she got all teared up,” gushed Rose.

Shore had paper plates, napkins, and plastic silverware.

“Today is your birthday?” said a stunned Devine.

“I told you it was coming up when we first met,” she reminded him.

“And look, Betsy, thirteen candles, like the movie,” said Rose.

“That’ssixteen, dumbass.Sixteen Candles,” said Shore, nudging him with his elbow.

“Oh, well, I’ll make you one withsixteenin three years. And it’s chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla on the inside. And that’s no crappy powdered sugar frosting. That is buttercream, sweetie, just like you like it.”

She gave them both hugs and blew out the candles. They cut the cake and had two slices each.

“What did you wish for?” asked Devine quietly, after Shore and Rose had gone back to their room.

“What does it matter?” she said, glancing at the boxes containing her parents’ ashes.

“Happy Birthday, Betsy,” he said, because he could think of nothing else to say. The words sounded lame as soon as they left his mouth.

Devine went to his room and called Campbell. He had earlier sent to him the video of Trumbull’s confession that Jackson had taken, along with details about Trumbull’s killing herself.

Campbell said, “That was good work, Devine. I’ve forwarded the video to the appropriate parties. They’re analyzing it now.”

“She didn’t directly implicate the Kings unfortunately, or anyone else for that matter.”

“It’s still usable. So while you were interrogating her, who was taking the video?”

“I think you probably know,” replied Devine.

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