Page 5 of Evidence of a Folktale

“He didn’t want you to be afraid,” Briar said. “Plus, it wasn’t serious.”

“All gunshots are serious. Griffin was shot while shielding me during our last case. I was almost shot during the Darling case. They are always?—”

“You were shot at?” Briar blurted. “Oh my god, Bel, is there anything else you'd liketo spring on me?”

“No… I don’t think so.”

“Good lord. Seriously, Isobel Emerson, start calling more. You are my sister, yet I didn’t know you were almost shot and killed. Good god.”

“Eamon saved me from that, too.”

“Of course he did.” Briar smiled. “The more you talk about him, the more I think this story will help.”

“Okay.”

“A month before Rose and Luna were born, Mom wanted to go on a babymoon,” Briar said. “Dad worked weekends, so he switched shifts with a night officerso he couldtake Mom on their mini vacation. That night, dispatch received a domestic disturbance call. Dad assumed it was just a couple fighting, but when they arrived, they found the father threatening his family with a gun. The man opened fire on his son, but Dad jumped in and saved him. The boy lived, but a bullet grazed Dad’s thigh.

“He went to the hospital, which canceled their trip, and Mom blamed herself. If she hadn’t wanted to go, he wouldn’t have switched shifts, and he wouldn’t have gotten shot. Her guilt damaged their marriage, but she couldn’t forgive herself. She believed Dad’s scar was on her shoulders until Dad received a card delivered to the precinct. The little boy he’d saved drew it to thank him, so Dad took it home to Mom. He told her she needed to forgive herself because while he got hurt, he also saved a kid. A child wasn’t murdered by hisownparent because of him.

“That card changed mom. Shestillworried, but she came to terms with Dad always being in danger. He defended the innocent, and she could live with the guilt if it meant that kids got the chance to see the future. His job was cruel. It eats at you when you seethe thingshe saw, so he neededhometo be his safe place. He needed Mom to be his refuge, and when she passed, we took up that mantle. Until her death, Mom protected Dad’s mental health. She loved and supported him no matter what work threw at him. It’s why they were so good together. In a world that was consistently dangerous for him, she was his sanctuary.” Briar reached across the mattress and captured Bel’s hand.

“It sounds like Eamon is experiencing what Mom went through,” she continued. “Now, if he’s to blame, that’s a different story and you should leave him, but if he’s going through the same guilt Mom dealt with, he needs to decide. Can he live with it and be your safe place, or is it too much for him? And if it’s too much, he isn’t the right man for you, anyway.”

“He is the right man for me,” Bel insisted.

“Then let him express his guilt and fear, and then tell him Dad’s story,” Briar said. “Because, like Dad, you almost got… well, you know… yet you rescued two kids. You also saved that surgeon’s wife when you carried her down that mountain. As much as I hate it, you risk your lifeevery dayto help people because it’s your calling, and Eamon needs to accept that. Like I said, if you’re afraid you’ll wake up ten years from now and hate him for putting you in harm’s way, youabsolutelyneed to leave. Please don’t stay with a man who doesn’t prioritize your safety… which doesn’t sound like Eamon, though. Honestly, I think this conversation was good for you two.”

“You do?”

“Yeah. It proves he’s self-aware enough to realize that if he’s the problem, he should remove himself. A selfish man would stay, regardless of the consequences. The fact that he’s willing to walk away to save you proves he adores you. But should heactuallyleave? Only you can answer that.”

“I won’t resent him in ten years,” Bel said. “I will hate him if he leaves me, though.”

“Then tellhim that.” Briar rubbed her back, and Bel shut her eyes. Howmany timeshad her older sister rubbed her back when she didn’t feel good as a kid?

“And I don’t know what Dad overheard, but talk to him. We all love you too much for this fighting.”

“I love you guys too.”

“You’re an amazing person,” Briar said. “I like to take credit for that.”

“You should.” Bel sank further into the pillows. “I’m sorry you had to raise me, though. That’s a lot for a teenager.”

“I’m not.” Briar settled beside her and wrapped her in her arms. “You were and always will be my baby sister. It was an honor to raise you. Plus, I can claim responsibility for all your heroics since I’m the one who taught you goodness.”

“There itis.” Bel smirked. “Thank you. For talking. For everything.” She kissed her sister’s cheek.

“Always, Isobel… just start calling more, okay?”

“Okay… I should give you your bed back. Flynn will miss you.”

“Flynn will be fine.” Briar hugged her closer. “He and Dad probably grabbed Cerberus for a boys’ night, so you stay here.”

“Yeah?” Bel shut her eyes, barely able to form words as sleep overtook her.

“Yeah.” Briar kissed her cheek.

“I love you,” Bel said, or at least she thought she said it. She was too tired to focus.

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