Page 107 of Gideon

“You haven’t asked me how much money it is,” Fairfax said.

“It doesn’t matter.”

“It’s not seven figures, but it’s close. And I’ll give you most of it. You sure you don’t want to know?”

Nikki stalked over to the desk. “You want to know what we want?”

“I’m all ears.”

“To see you behind bars. That’s it. That’s all we want. You could offer us millions and the answer would still be no.”

Fairfax lifted an eyebrow as he looked at Gideon to see if he was in agreement. “You could take it for yourself if you want.”

“No thanks,” Gideon said. “Sit down. You must have some paper in that desk somewhere. Letterhead would be best, but I don’t think it really matters.”

Fairfax cleared his throat. “This is almost your last chance. But if you change your mind while I’m writing, let me know.”

“Stop stalling,” Gideon said as Nikki returned to the fireplace. She held the poker in her hand and watched as Fairfax unscrewed the lid from a fancy pen.

“Is there a particular topic you’d like me to start with?” Fairfax said.

“Start with a list of names and how they were involved.” Gideon watched until he was satisfied that the mayor was cooperating, then he turned toward the window.

It was the moment Nikki had given up hoping for. In fact, it was more than she’d ever hoped for. She turned toward the fire to hide her face while she got her emotions under control. But after poking the charred wood a few more times, she looked back, and Fairfax was reaching into a drawer.

“No!” she screamed when she saw what he pulled out. Gideon spun and dove in one motion as the gun was fired.

She wanted to yell for help, but she couldn’t move as Fairfax turned the small pistol on himself.

“Gideon—” His name locked in her throat, but he’d already seen it and jumped for Fairfax.

The weapon fired again as Ty burst into the room. “What’s happening?”

“Fairfax,” she said.

“Call an ambulance,” Gideon said, holding Fairfax’s head. “He shot himself.”

“The ambulance will take too long,” Ty said.

“The sheriff’s car,” Nikki said. “We can turn on the lights and get him there faster.”

Most of the group entered the room and helped carry Fairfax to the car. Nikki found herself in the back seat, cradling his head in her hand while she held a towel against the wound with one hand and felt for a pulse with the other.

“He’s still alive,” she said as Gideon pulled out of the driveway. “I wanted him to pay for what he did, but not like this.”

The blood seeping into her jeans was warm and sticky.

“God, don’t let him die.” The words didn’t make sense. She shouldn’t be mourning for him, but death was horrible. And the idea that he could go to hell was horrific.

“I didn’t want this, Gideon. I never wanted this.”

“I know you didn’t.” He reached his hand back and found hers. “It will be okay. Whatever happens, we have to remember that this was God’s plan, and we did things His way. Fairfax made his own choices.”

“It’s just so horrible.”

“I know it is.”

The sun was high by the time the doctor had come out to tell them that Fairfax would survive, although they wouldn’t know about ongoing complications until he woke up.

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