Page 48 of The Truth

“I used to think that Emerson and Collin Riordan were monsters, you know.”

Gunn just nodded. Emerson had told him about how he had been as a child. “I’m sorry. I know he wasn’t very kind to you.”

“He wasn’t very kind to anyone. Emerson or his brother Collin.”

“Emerson isn’t like that any longer. And I think… his childhood weighs on him probably more than it does… others.” Emerson had admitted to him before—he’d been a mean bully. He had earned his father’s praise by being tougher than other kids. By controlling them. Until it had become who hewas.

He and his brother weren’t like that now.

“He still feels like the little boy who knows what he did was wrong, but doesn’t know how to make it right.”

It wasn’t Gunn who said it. It was her. But it was true. “He feels… guilt. For your brother. For how he acted as a child. And for… JD Rei. It’s eating him alive. And I don’t know how to help him. He isn’t getting any help from his father, that’s for sure. And his mother is in assisted living.AllEmerson has is Collin…and me, now. He’s alone. And… it’s hurting him so much. I don’t really know what to do to make it better.”

“I hate to hear that. People… spoke highly of him. In his church.”

“He lives his words, his faith. Since I have known him, he has. We’ve been friends for almost a dozen years now. But a part of him still feels… unworthy. Like he did something somehow, toearnwhat JD Rei did to the people Emerson was trying to lead. Like… he was being paid back for his sins.”

“He wasn’t. JD Rei had a type and he had a territory. It just so happened Evalyn, Nebraska was in it.”

“He fully believes he let people down. And… he’s being haunted by three years ago. The fire at his church. Your brother’s children especially weigh on his heart.”

“They are doing fine, you know. I promise.”

“I don’t think it’s me that needs to hear it. Will you talk to him?”

“If I get a chance, I will. It’s time we all put the past behind us. Let go of the guilt. And move on.”

Gunn watched her as she left, headed back to wait with the rest of the family. And he wondered.

Just what he would have to do to help his friendmove onfrom the nightmare?

He just didn’t know.

35

Father was really angry now.Worse than she had ever seen him. He had come home from work,screamingthat that woman from Nebraska had been at his hospital tonight. Adonijah’s sister. With Agent Lake. Agent Lake had been at the hospital, too—with Reverend Hiller.

Judah had said something stupid. And… it had made everything so much worse.

Whatever Judah had said… it had really angered him.

Judah’s lip had stopped bleeding, but his face still looked like someone had dragged him across gravel. The red mark on his cheek was raised and swollen. He’d have bruises and a black eye.

She hadn’t said much—not yet. She was afraid if she opened her mouth, something worse than anger would come out.

Judah hadn’t cried during the beating, and he didn’t cry now. He’d stopped crying when their father beat him long ago.

She wrung out the rag and moved to his arms. Father had used the belt again. He only did that when he was really angry.

“Hold still,” she said, and her voice came out flat.

He obeyed. He always did.

She wanted to believe there had been a line their father wouldn’t cross, but whatever line there might’ve been had disappeared two days ago. This wasn’t correction or discipline or righteous anger. This was just beingcruel.He was good at that.

Hurting others, all in the name of his God.

Just because he could.

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