Page 124 of Vicious Deception

Richard’sobituaryisprintedin the newspaper a few days after we killed him. I can tell that lying to Benny about the circumstances of his death is weighing on Rhett, but it’s our best option. Kids can be unreliable. Eventually, we’ll tell him the truth.

“Hey,” Rhett says, walking into the game room. “Who’s winning?”

“Andrew is,” Benny grouses, frowning at the pool table. But then his composure brightens. “Wanna be on my team? We could beat him together!”

“Hey! That’s not fair.” Andrew lightly shoves Benny, although his expression is more amused than irritated. “You won the last two rounds.”

“That’s true.” Benny grins. “I’m gonna become a professional pool player.”

I chuckle as Wren and Oliver file in behind me. Having all of us in here might be a mistake, but we want Benny and Andrew to know that they haveallof our support, not just Rhett’s.

“Do you mind pausing the game for a little bit?” Rhett asks. “I’ve got some news you both need to hear.”

I was expecting Benny to protest, but curiosity sparks in his eyes. Leaning his cue against the wall, he turns to us.

“Is something wrong?” Andrew asks.

“Sort of,” Rhett says slowly. He hesitates, running a hand over his hair. “Richard . . . passed away.”

Silence fills the room as Benny stares at us. Andrew is watching him closely, as unsure of how he’ll react as we are.

“He’s dead?” Benny asks.

Rhett nods. “We saw his obituary in the paper.”

At that, Andrew purses his lips, but he doesn’t say anything. He may know we’re lying, but he knows to keep his mouth shut until his brother is older.

Benny’s eyebrows are furrowed, and he’s staring at the ground. When he doesn’t say anything for a while, Rhett steps up to him.

“I know this is probably hard. It’s a lot to take in.”

But Benny shakes his head, his frown deepening. “I don’t . . . I don’t understand.”

“What do you mean?” Rhett asks.

Rubbing at his chest, Benny glances from Rhett to Andrew. “I should feel sad. Shouldn’t . . . shouldn’t I feel sad?” Tears fill his eyes and fall onto his cheeks.

Andrew gives him a bewildered look. “Yousureyou’re not sad?”

“I feelbad,”Benny yells, scrunching his face up and rubbing at his eyes. “He’s dead, and I’mhappy.That’s not what’s supposed to happen, is it?”

Shrugging, Andrew shoves his hands into his pockets. “I’m glad the bastard is dead.”

“Hey.” Hesitantly, Rhett places a hand on Benny’s shoulder. “You don’t have to be upset that he’s gone.”

“But—but doesn’t that make me a bad person?” Benny sobs. His head hits Rhett’s chest as he leans into him. “Hedied.”

“No,” Rhett says soothingly. “It doesn’t make you a bad person at all.”

“I’m glad he’s dead, too,” I add, hoping I’m not about to make everything worse. Giving Benny a small smile, I move closer to him. “He hurt a lot of people, including the three of you.”

With a sniffle, Benny looks up at me. “But . . .”

“But what?” Andrew asks.

“I don’t know. It just doesn’t feel right.” He rubs at his eyes. “What about Mom?”

“Do you want to see her?” Rhett asks.

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