Death,Lies,andGrace

轻盈的微风

, F) a# v( Q( l9 I4 zalert: (in order) forms, violence, battery, oath, falsification records, a shit, incest. a me. I've a a while, a months, a reality. it's cake. always, a fiction. persons, dead, and/or unintentional. owners. eighteen.
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"GSA"
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, attraction. knowledge.
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6 t1 ^0 j6 }3 P1 Z4 W. TNaughteeDragon reading, proofing, editing, story. always, invaluable, story,

"One Forty"

. responsibility.
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a side, love.
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- z; l, [' n# C9 hI wasn't with. I usual. I I time. late, again. I a two, again. wasn't I walked, time, I late. I work, didn't work. didn't much. I officer's attention.

"Morning. isn't reason." I me. using, grimaced, out, over. a cloth, it.
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"I'm sorry, Mr. Parker. I'm here, please." I couldn't it. didn't contact. a sign. "Sure, problem." Great, what?

" a7 @3 F1 E3 n' O4 Z/ ]I I lobby. office. a sign.

"Micah Parker?" supervisor.

"Yes?" official, I wasn't a day.
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"Come us, please." office. I walking, me. bad. office. I before, a years. a malfunctioning cards.
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I a room, antiseptic. warm. I table, door. I next. later. comfortable.
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- T" x7 ~. U- X2 J/ J"Sorry waiting, Mr. Parker." No, weren't. Interrogation 101. I technothrillers I worked. I I shouldn't nervous, I hadn't work, I anyway.
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  e8 a6 m9 b; m4 C"Is problem?" I I here. paused, in. "There " a Questionnaire Positions, 86, years. I a a ago, required. a ago, ago. I a form.

"What issue?"
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4 t. p3 {$ l: Y8 b6 R% J"Who Sutton?" question.

"I is. I don't Sutton."
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" @) t0 Z9 Z3 N( s1 b! Q. p"Are sure, Mr. Parker?" hands. I did. I I not.
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2 b* W, [. S9 |- Y) Z$ p7 }"Absolutely sure. I and, recollection, a Sutton."

"Your adopted. correct?" around, off.
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! c( V0 U5 `1 v8 `* A/ C"Yes." I a accident. I a birthday.
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5 g- I3 f: r  A/ T1 r# r7 k"You child, then?"
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+ X  t3 l+ [( ?1 q" ~6 }- _+ u9 U( d"As I know, yes. I I them."

"So you're relatives?" reason.
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"No. I couldn't any." a period.

"Are Templeton, Iowa?" hands.

"Never it." I Moines, Nebraska. I hadn't a times.
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5 V, M' v0 h* U9 P/ P0 w* W"Well, Mr. Parker, a problem. Templeton, Iowa. identification, a relative. grandchild." paused, papers, revelation.

"However, weren't one. A identified, Kansas. siblings."
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& Q. |# `* k/ U) w: Y" r* p( qI disbelief. I a sister? me?

. `3 b4 `5 c' N" ^! {! G, N2 b/ b7 F"Are me?" misdirection. adoption, me. off, succeeded.
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4 s: d6 M2 ^$ @"No, Mr. Parker, I true. A investigating." again. "Both deceased?"
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"Yeah." cancer, ago. , too.
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" k$ e" A9 A' s' a"So statements?"

" F" p2 m6 J! l. S4 Z* G2 x"No." I mother's brother. year, estate. wasn't a ,266.89. sent.
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, ?; [# y/ x! {) L" u) r6 D2 t) l"Because you're investigation , a precautionary out. recommendation that, Mr. Parker."

& @5 a) b- H& d/ T"Yeah. something?" I begin, I Templeton, Iowa.

"Your investigation. shortly." a me. "This packet. this. not, a call." interrogators leave. spoke. "Make packet, Mr. Parker. There's know. a minute. you." doorway. "You investigation, Mr. Parker, nondisclosure agreement. rules, it's employment." that, left. a hadn't I didn't a later. enough, eventually, desk. I release. I sympathetic. intents, I terminated. I lap. I home, I hours. them. I saved. I I died. side, I a suspended. now.
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& C, [, C. N9 m$ SI it. cover, a "hang there." I it. things, checklists, questions, a flyer. FAQ, a Sheriff's I canvas. I a number. included, number. today, I'd a them.
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# |/ {4 i1 l9 o6 b9 h" lI lunch. I a bit, I didn't a otherwise. six, Cincinnati. then, I read. , rang. location, Carroll, Iowa. I ring.

1 S5 ]  L" ?4 E& V. C"I'm Parker, please." a woman's voice. Midwest.
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"That's me. I you?" C. Anderson. I a deputy.
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"I'm Sheriff's Department. a questions, sir?" I a speaker.
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5 p# G# V( l+ l0 n"Yes, ma'am, certainly." I cooperate, I would.

"Great, you." a questions. business.

' l2 ~3 y/ H$ n' I"First off, we'd grandparents. Templeton?"

"No, ma'am. I I Island, Nebraska. family." phone. a seconds, back.

1 N5 s* z0 |& P3 z"That 1978, then?"

8 _% T  d6 k' i* k4 @2 J0 L"I 1981 a accident. I don't that."
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"Your didn't accident?"
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"Not I of. had, I more. I didn't." I a couldn't family. bother?
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# ^! N, C) y2 {1 @7 J0 W"You Island? was?"

"It courts, I that. I a orphanage. process." I a official.
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% T, ]) a; o5 [7 G"You wouldn't handy, you?"

"No, I don't. I out, it, you, you'd like."

; h+ r- a! X, T% t/ ]"If don't mind, great. Also, a mother."
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) T$ ?' v* W% Z& Q4 Y  K3 \"I don't certificate. a name, birthday, a accident. I Clark, mother's Becky, father's Charlie. form."

! j4 V" {9 B+ z' b- ]A note, letters.
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Micah, 20 79, 24 81, can't child.
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. coat, paperwork.

; X0 Q' g; D  ?2 T2 X, X6 u7 ]I politely, uncomfortable. "Can died? I wasn't a information."
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& G2 S0 A' M! ^8 c5 D; ^; p* P8 B"I'm sorry, Mr. Parker. investigation circumstances now. I a sister?" gears.
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( S; z& j/ Y# z( Z3 u1 r"Not today, no." uncomfortable end. "I'm this. Ms. information. a brother."
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. W& P& z8 l4 `- {# e! Y8 @"Sure." I I a didn't didn't me. I return. didn't offer, either.

+ n9 J2 D7 c3 A0 n5 r4 D0 ^: m"We'll her. We'll we've you. I loss. questions. again, Mr. Parker."

"Thank you, Deputy. I'll that." goodbyes, I disconnected. I a haze. I couldn't exactly. I game, I through.

I fitfully. I parents, "adoptive" effort. questions. I hadn't alone.
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I like. I like, I own. I weren't. I her.
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( w5 D3 ?, A) a7 G1 L7 ^0 }I sister, , father. term.

I day. I parents' child, I knew, again. I asking, "winning ahead." died, I a there. I it, either.

# M3 a. B& b. f" l4 J7 D; i9 i. xI type, I didn't of. I people, wasn't that. didn't either, me. I didn't much, I years. I hadn't died, I didn't hadn't I better. morning, I a time. I didn't I Yeah, I a much. temples.
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I I look, way. I Midwesterner, solid, reliable, average.

I I a I adoption. rang. I didn't a Mankato, Kansas. I voicemail, a call. A later, chimed.

I app, icon, play. I a IRS. Instead, a speaker.
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, D. _0 G! d6 U1 R8 ^# C( L6 i"Hi, Sutton. I'm Parker. I brother." nervous. I time. message, I sounded. I table. Midwestern, I that. me.

I times, table. I back, I I say.
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) R' ^4 W0 k3 w+ g9 d1 mFinally, waffling, I "Fuck it," together, entry. immediately. "Hello, Micah?"

"Hi. Grace." a silence.
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"I am. back. a I a brother."

  l5 v* \" b! d; ^) i"I imagine." a laugh.

: L4 U, Y; x4 e. D9 J, r"Did grandparents?" "tell yourself" trap.

"No, I didn't. a couldn't relatives."
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"That's told, too. couldn't all."
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# `1 D1 N# A) q4 z' t& [9 R"Topeka? Kansas?" couldn't right. I wasn't I wasn't Island.
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"Yes. Why?" I felt.
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1 i' \4 k4 i6 {* f3 E* r. a- U9 n0 v"I Island, Nebraska. third, 1982. I a orphanage." a back. "Mom Topeka."

2 H& ?* j# P6 k7 c  o" o"I'm that's don't forget. Island. That's from." a empty.

"I don't true." Grace's guarded. I didn't her, couldn't days.

"That us." I search. "About miles. whatsoever."

I woman's again. call, voice.

3 d" }* Z5 V$ W; \7 J) g+ o"Can I a call?"

"Of course." I somehow. call. I automatically it. familiar. mine, a different, I related. I reason. wince. convinced.
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5 H) F& s: k* a! @, K3 I"Now I'm confused." time. crying, lady, I mother, well.

"So wrong," said, footing. "I don't once." composure.

8 z9 U0 S( r7 T, w! ]4 r9 z/ T"I don't was. is, she, really?" a I apart. I myself. didn't relationship. eyes. "Excuse manners, I'm Sutton, Grace's mother."
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"It's you." I circumstances I something.
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) p  C2 R" N& B; l( i4 k"If a brother, you, too. I can't Nebraska. sense."

# S4 w$ q! j: t% J6 Z% b/ k/ F4 j"I'm Grace, too, Mrs. Sutton. alive. a easier."
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"Your a joy. sometimes, a joy. rotten, soul." time.

) Z( D6 G$ X/ U2 p4 O"I'm passed." Sadly, common, too.
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"Thank you. Nebraska?"

# E3 O7 R; |% A/ |/ j# C3 g% n( Q"No, ma'am. two."

"We're that." again.

"Thank you." I a words.
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  [* l, l2 U6 y( l7 g& ~+ Y"I I expert, haven't already. aren't up." notes.
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"I'm paperwork. I'll we're here. I'll a findings." a wouldn't ask. "I'll a copy, too."

' k( i2 W8 C& n9 `8 _I say. I sister. positive.

, W, g& N- c" [, h6 W5 `I it, too. question. "Would a copy? I'll mine, isn't much. I old." I a sister. I much, forties.

"I I couldn't much, either." I gently, expectations.
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% z  P% c9 f$ |) n"So you're brother, then. You're a jerk, you?" a tone. well.

"Only it." a women.
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"Well, Mr. Parker, you, really?" Grace's curious. Usually, I didn't way. I Island, Nebraska, job, I analyst. questions, in. Thankfully, I for.
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I Mankato. single, childless. a ago. seconds. talked, I Penny. first.

' ~: q% {8 V4 @/ M4 G"Would person?" pen.

"I myself. Yes, I would. I I don't out. city." I didn't a I didn't now.

"That's perfect. good? I can't we're a shorthanded. They'll Monday."

1 @7 b1 ^! }* f3 e& O$ H/ u6 \"That works. I a days. okay? I a KC."
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3 V" b( g2 x. I' e( J"Sure, that's better. I a I have?"

, n. F2 v- B& S& ~"You bet. I'll mine, too, I Anderson. I'll I it." nodded, crack. "Thank back, Micah. I'm did." shoulders. "I there." I idiot. I couldn't I feeling. "I stuff, I'll go. I can't I you. I'll I it." I a together, too. I wasn't obvious. minutes, awkward. I promised.

: {% {. |3 S. t- o7 v5 }0 AI a minutes, I sister's back. wasn't I immediately, a I different. Hell, different. I I hands.
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I things, I didn't I close. died, I a box, paperwork. stuff, a certificate, Army, documents, a closed.
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" t0 k: U5 R  pI request, I "found home," I a by. dresser, I them. a died, Dad's first. I box, I I days. time.
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4 A/ P2 Z/ h0 X* f& x; dI a Grace. I firebox.

& l) C9 U. _  |$ XA later, I viewed. a case. I I me.

I B City. I a afternoon. I I ready. I a itinerary, promised. way, I that. us? freedom?

I couldn't a worked. parents' changed, a dead.
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2 l. Q" i. v' [- O' B5 W6 k. IApparently, Grace's identical, Topeka. true. curiosity, I Maps. a Topeka, off. Topeka? City, Omaha, a a day's drive?

I orphanage. cities. newspapers, books, maps. distance. a remote. a expensive, counties. A later, I now. eighties, records. misplaced. information, existed. time, investigate, way, cracks. evening. I I hadn't day. I didn't explanation. I adoptions. A help.
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2 C- `9 P8 n+ H" ?  T0 Y) RI night. I on, places? grandparents, parents, Templeton, Iowa? clarity. I I a I couldn't person.
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5 Q* z5 D& |. t. ~, E7 C' E# wA nine, time, time. I shower, back, I presentable. a call, I started. eleven. beautiful, casual. a a uniform. Police. space, I husband. opinion. meeting, himself, same. wasn't surprise. knew.
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Approximately ago, Templeton. A later, construction. kept, remains. backward, owner, a 1981. lab, hadn't them. a grant, a ago, lab, a profile. CODIS, U.S. access. Concurrently, Grace's profile. Grace's, grandchildren individuals. records, 1975 a decree. Eugene, , 1974 unknown, 1975, located, 1975 respond. 1978. 1981, off.
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A Clarke, Carroll, Iowa. Clarke, Moines, Iowa.
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7 f2 q0 k8 o9 ?A Administration members. Nebraska. records. states. a nutshell, Rebecca's 1981, born. 1978, her. approximately time, results. couldn't her, a problem, couldn't occurred. fact, family. Rebecca's Charles' results. years, anything. informative. first, Dorothy. gravesite, a corresponding knife, back, back, found. strong. themselves.
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; l' ~- r/ h4 \% }/ L2 IDorothy's conclusive. death. trauma. shallower. owners, maintained. finished, information. I didn't face, I voice.
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- E. O7 @2 F& y# v* u/ B"I it's years, take, I more." I her, wasn't a case.
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"It's point," reassuring. "Because states, a... get. a the... neck. We're can."
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7 {- }# _1 m) i& _* g) q/ Q"We understand, Officer. It's week, didn't existed. down," I explained. I Grace's was. I had.
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"We situation, Mr. Parker. I Police." didn't herself. "You didn't us, paperwork. unofficially. I can't happen, I don't law, I don't ask." said, "You didn't us."
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- Z  H1 D( r4 @* t"You we're this, right, dear?" didn't mad. smiled. webcam, desktop. "That's moment. else, we'll possible. Clarke, immediately. dead, they're not. departments, loss."

7 H& G8 H* z* T& M" k( B"Thank both. It's a time, I know, we'll a break." I a here, a there. call, other. disconnecting. I day, I I I sister, mother, grandparents. done, I work. I , Anderson, us, certificates. I didn't Andersons. I Grace's certificate. children. I hadn't zero. Why?
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I computer, I packing. I native, a I wasn't a "back East." I didn't deceptive. I I opportunity. me.

I Grace's paperwork. mine. certificate, either. paperwork, a deceased. weird, too. sent, mine. a timeline, happened. mine, thorough.
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I dinner, I freezer. a beer, I backyard. I gone. I I left.

. m9 A2 M0 g8 L0 v6 l' w: RI asleep. sister, did. I wasn't restful.
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# d2 G% z1 }: s/ Y  i+ ~Al, neighbor, morning. diagnosis. Linda, wife, a I'd church.

) Q1 ?1 Y& L8 V- x: L* Q9 X# |"Hey, Al. I a favor? I'm a weeks. me?"

"Is okay? worried." shoulder, concerned.
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"No, good. relatives." I else. Ray, Mom's brother, died. I conclusions.
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"It's off. a time. We'll here." people. I'd a I back. I them.
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) ?" q% Y/ P$ l8 U/ cI morning, security, gate, eat. I I a nervous, I coffee. early. I a restroom. I didn't go, I a down. I breaths. helped, a little.

: g4 ?) b7 g7 g- k' j& u9 aI claim, there. first.
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"Micah!" carousel. Penny, walker. I them, I sister's appearance. a hair, loose. a girl. big, small, nails. a eyes. a day. I daughter.
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I arm's Grace. blurry. I me. incredible. I her, I I Dad. me. too. I a well. a back, words. "Oh God," manage. I first. words. "I can't happening. I don't say." women's faces.

"I'm say, either. I'm it," I replied. I wasn't embarrassed. I I a I missing. long, hug, us. attention. I terminal. wouldn't walk. comfortable. I backseat. lunch. a Topeka. for. morning, Topeka, a sightseeing, Grace's morning. a rooms. I didn't a ground. Unfortunately, a a wasn't history. I independent, wasn't and, importantly, a life. Topeka, I a Mankato. a us, though.

"What do, Micah?" asked.
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"Mom a preparer. a retired." up, "Really? That's did, too."
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7 F0 x( x4 `) {"It wouldn't Manson's, it?" me. "Your Parker?"
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"It was. a up. know?"

"I'll be..." off. "Pete, husband, dad. Topeka. a other." speechless. I a manager, a factory.

- {5 p! K9 o, p3 p, f"That's amazing. idea, either. I it's a world." laughed.

"Yeah, coincidences." I a lot, actually. expected. in. light, City. good. a worked. didn't long. deeply, obvious, a life. a lot, Penny's Daddy's girl.
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* j+ e0 N. D8 J/ j" [! gI midnight. didn't nine, a there. teachers. a I'll didn't her. else, Alannah's day. there, apologetic.
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# ]2 x6 ^- q& o7 H8 w* {5 ]"I I records. don't anymore. that's down. I attorney, that's we're do. I'm sorry, Mrs. Sutton."
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+ i; b0 F: c9 L4 z6 {3 e! f8 c1 V"That's okay, honey. don't a longshot. I'm you're well." her. happily. car, Mankato. wasn't us, information, success.
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# f* n  ~! J- PI I a Grace. I Penny. a humor. a a afternoon. I a room. I I futile. a mom, her. a family, everywhere. infant, soccer, graduations. home. I parents. Pete's office. three, a nap. a bourbon. "Dad office. Mom's a a then."

) i' ]; {8 k3 J; y"I that. a a a better."

) Z) d4 N/ X+ |/ l"That Daddy's exactly." a sip. "You cars?"
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2 q; Y* i$ y4 `: `6 y2 ^"A little. I I'm a mechanic."

"Oh. I Daddy's truck. won't running."
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"I a it. I worse." laughed. "I'd then." a house. doors, I immediately. A 1963 C10 Blue. her. a '63 I out. symptoms, I filter, Dad's a occasionally.

I I I line. enough, replaced. I it, Dad's "if don't easy, ain't right." I up. 283 V8 up. I nicely. a problems. I garage. time.

"I'm that's you've that." porch, bourbon. arm. "Thank much. truck. I he'd a that."
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. M- g8 E- U0 N3 S"My a '63 engine. problem. They're his. owned, a up." I slide. I now, a point. "My wasn't a boy, Texas, Mexico."

"How Nebraska?" a question. I ask.

"I don't know. didn't younger. uncle, it." I a I home.
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"I that's story." porch. her, "Celebrating. Daddy's truck."
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"Oh, God." arm. "I it." laugh. "He do, too. a boy." two. war. I salute. I wouldn't long.

"My a it, engine. that." I I phone, I it.
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2 `- J! x4 l2 {- {"I well, Micah. a you, I that." inside. people, too.

) a* h5 w7 _* B  V"Thank you. I am, however, together. wouldn't survived."

0 `6 N" V, d  _! R"Pffft, boys. talk." was.
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" g6 [1 B: ^, [: u; n"Every I a them. Daddy's girls, "
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6 J' G% B1 N# y1 V9 rGrace's a laughed. "You can't he's wrong, honey." surrender. face, though.

3 L% Y7 h% l' x) V% m: s9 I9 ["Well then, sir, here's redemption. steaks. mission, it, them." Oh, yeah. I do.
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+ {+ n: `* R* \4 j$ d' ["You're on." meat. I Penny's father's rub. grill, have, rack. a a dishes. I I hadn't touch. perfectly, it, impressed.

"I rub, it's don't here." table.

"Yeah, did, I Texas. I hadn't a while." I didn't I a something. I it.
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3 T8 W: K7 n3 ^0 ~8 j& I  P"You forgiven. grilling." back. She'd a now, fun. it. sundown, again, swing. I dinner, a little, I it. sometimes.
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"Mom isn't Island. didn't you. reason." Grace's intertwined.
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: Y, N( q: @- x; T- H& F"What's like? I mean, Nebraska." laugh. "She's a lady. a man, daughter." hurt.

"I princess, I'll know. I on." indignant.

"You that?"
' U  a4 t5 _/ R' j7 n) `3 |
"Yes." magical. "You weren't son?"

6 h4 \/ D) I6 a7 W* t"No. I thing. it. world, much. I I'd mom, that, Island. Instead, I DC. I'll I DC." wasn't now. I life.
8 J5 y3 o$ R6 ?4 c1 e) `1 ]
/ [, h7 ^( Q4 H3 @2 u+ j; c% N"Do we'll Island?"

/ Z1 o: R$ I0 r. S7 Q4 d! m7 F"Not really. I don't either. We'll Topeka. Still, we'll back. I Island."
) s" g3 T$ n/ d+ {1 `' r- V
( s+ {; E5 H; i+ o; C, F5 _+ P- u+ j"Then what?"

8 U2 Y$ U- E3 m0 z) _"I I Templeton, was. I don't anything, I lived. I can't there. There's a I is. don't a nothing."
: }  G# q- ]4 p  P
"We say." I would.

"We that, too. I've time, too. at. I'm it's we'll now. a ago."
8 `* x  O0 y' c$ k) s& [
1 _7 B3 t7 S" k; b"I too." sighed. "It's weird, all. other. me. I I I didn't them. copies. I a I loved." tea.

3 c  D1 h( @3 C: l. ^) x3 j"I it. me. I I ten, a it. me, either. truth, I didn't I I I a sister. a amazing, I you. them." hand. "Well, other. You're inside, though. amazing. a boy." me.
9 z/ X. x! S/ m1 }3 @0 O
"Of world, I a princess. Great." again. "Is gone?"

"Yeah, a back. tomorrow. I don't we'll a week."

"I long. I time."
, c" y+ c6 M$ [- D2 k3 l; _4 {1 O
stars. DC, wasn't a sky, incredible. off, bed. I sleep, I I didn't all. I feeling, a I couldn't describe, I hadn't before. wasn't I I it. I somebody. I family. Yes, me, I that, I wasn't
5 I( ]5 z& K7 m  e
. me, I name.

I Grace. I a

- C5 y: l8 u2 n* q7 b( C. I couldn't I existed. here, me. routine, I kitchen, I table.

: `7 Q4 S9 ]; m0 @) s1 i( T% d"Thank you." a hug.

"For what?" I wasn't I thanks.
" @$ C' s0 W  v' `) V
4 Z# @) {8 r! z  P"Calling back, her, her. years, I've happy. truck, a bonus. I were. I'm did."
1 t5 A1 M! `" h9 A$ ?8 F  N
$ f; L) v, o- G6 u"Between me, I'm did, too. I don't we're parents. dead, murdered, disappeared. I doesn't it."
9 N, h- y. p6 [; m
"Do might?" cup.
; ?. l+ O5 E2 k! W+ v- ~3 z
) v% Q3 }: ]! W% ?; y+ F. O"No. I answers. I were. I out." I a coffee. "I can, too."

"You I what, Micah?" slippers.

"Be family. pretty."
6 q  w2 O6 b/ }/ ~, O9 {# ]
* U; B* p0 f7 X) o9 H"Finding a wasn't a I I didn't brother. up." angry, angry, surface.
& h: ]% B# L1 u( `1 r
0 z- V/ Y9 `# d3 ?2 L. J"We'll out. remember, it's years. we'll answer."

"If out, it's you. It's a living, right?"

  |  f# k/ |! e; R" X4 \7 w"Sort of. I'm a detective, I'm analyst."

0 R1 E/ R# s9 i  ^"Same difference. conclusions." I parents' thereof. quietly, a face.

"I I ring. You're right, I'm analyst, I'm Tracy."

( e- |) Z0 W6 v/ S1 c3 h"You mispronounced smartass." I cup.

"Okay, two. It's that." laughed, up.
& I9 x+ E# l+ A, J2 x. X" p" Q
"Yes, ma'am." manners.

"God, you're a " a me.
" p9 k3 i" a: E% {' j- G
"On a kid."

' y* `& O" b8 F7 W. O, k"Good that, boy." a surrender. "Knock I you."

"Yes, ma'am." contritely. head. wasn't looking. I her. blessing. I Linda. problems. lunch. a week, a necessary. normal. wasn't wasn't way, either. I it. back, satellites. swing. nine, bed. hand.
3 Q2 ^* L5 n: I5 C+ ?- m; r, }6 G
6 P3 q! X4 l) o+ `. n"What leave? It's here." I knew, I earlier.

"I nine, eleven, lunch, church. I'll we're done."

"Deputy far, a we're coming. overnight, Templeton, Carroll?" shoulder.
0 L, D8 h. D. }3 R! r
I didn't away, I were. I hadn't invitation, I drive, I Templeton.

+ O% P6 K* z1 i3 d8 J"I'm you're psycho. I thing."
$ H' Q1 `4 D& t! J; [
$ H' `+ H/ W; V"Great alike." a squeeze.

6 X0 S' l; ?9 A! y# y"You we'll afternoon. wasn't I Carroll. It's farther."

) r% X/ |0 q9 n* Q! p$ ?"Sounds homework." teasing.

$ ?5 q" ], F+ O"Somebody I'm oldest."

"Right."
* Z8 E  A1 M7 u( F
' E* C  o: a6 Q, N6 T"And smartest."

+ m* N  Y7 Y, Z) z! t& C8 j4 f"As if," I eyes.

"You a plan?" tighter. "Not exactly."
/ B4 D% {1 m+ I
% n0 e& r  M8 z3 _) G* J& u% F"Yeah, that's I thought." a sky, a satellites.
  U, d' \' p% v2 i  g- t) H
"What murder?" I question.
$ _2 z6 u. F. Y3 o" R  ?# w
"I don't know. nothing, I think. I wasn't it. point, happen. I a thinktank."

7 k+ o+ H" a# a0 C( v' ]"How worried?"

"Are you?"

"Yeah. I don't back. 'Her a killer, I Penny's next.'"
) G# P# g2 E, j7 d. ?
2 q8 d6 e7 K) J% q"After years?"

"You don't towns, boy."
3 R* B8 T7 n/ p, m
"No, I don't."

$ g1 ^  [" ?, T6 ?( ^  @"I've much, are. mother, brother, a run."
! J7 t0 i4 Y9 @; o
0 y+ P! M  b! S0 n  N$ ^% T"But them? couldn't disappear."

2 H1 L. U. F* m4 h+ u"Maybe couldn't us. first, us." a sigh. "I don't it's crazy. possibilities answers."

. _- j! C- j, {0 Z4 ]! u6 w"Wow, mouth?" I possibilities Grace, a hadn't, off, all.
/ |! e% W' _4 v# b0 N
6 C% \8 v4 }7 B& j1 u3 r: k6 M"Who I from?" Grace's a snort. "That isn't a she's mad."

/ ?$ P+ Y0 c# o' \: j"Noted. Anderson. sense."
# a5 C% D) s1 {" j
0 v3 T* |; r2 y/ z% ]. z"I so. I I to. looking, I me. I that. I know." a harder. "Then I questions. answers." I Grace's her. " to."
0 x7 u3 u- ?9 R- Q
"I look. I child. I didn't then, weren't now, either. course, weren't families, Mom's brother. That's I met. three." yawned. "Not subject, bed. I tomorrow."
$ W. L1 `5 V; F2 P# |5 q
0 H8 K& O; C3 i* z8 O& Y"Yeah, a idea." I us. didn't morning. take, I Grace's Corolla, playlist, Island. eleven. a I up. I there, I football, in. Dad's steakhouse, hadn't I here. a questions, I answer. a one. wasn't helpful, orphanage. However, luck, seventies.

4 _$ d; T8 K( n9 T( o: X"Let you, know, it's her." off, a walker.
- m# i. z! |* v
1 Q  N- o( E8 M: ^2 s"I'm Sally. I you?" I name, up. "Micah! It's you!" a a me.
2 K$ P! D- d: R; W' x& _8 W7 ]
+ w# m3 e! p/ q' o  Z"Reverend time. Christmas, here. jacket.
, J% s5 f5 Y! w! c, A0 D
3 I4 @+ w, B: i0 E7 D9 O"All a a clothes. couldn't Charlie, here. paused, "My manners! talk. drink?" up, "I'm wife, I'm sister, Grace." hadn't arms. "Oh, God." couch. a explained. "Starting morning, here. a in. Parkers.
, E& _" x0 A$ A8 W5 P4 z. y
"Honestly, imaginary. not."
' b) d7 ]0 e5 g$ }2 Z
"No, I orphanage. That's we're here, why."

) t- M+ {3 }' x  g0 y2 c" _"Even allowed, don't why. Micah." head. "That funny, too."

& @% U' X# w* X/ S) r' ?0 U7 T% h( f"How so?" I couldn't ask.
* c& F" t- `; B% ~' v
1 G' _5 Y! P6 `"You shy. in, yourself. sight. day, follow." water. "Reverend adoption." Grace, "He finger. left."
- A2 ^( y8 V/ i4 @8 k* w. w
"So he's a player, he? That's know." her. a Elena. I away, Topeka. I didn't not, though. I it, now. car. A better, back. navigator, turns. me, trip. , MapQuest, "fuck," adopted. it. I surface. I wasn't I a I from, either. I I behind.

; [3 N$ i- d! k+ F8 c) R2 o  P- ~! `I didn't upset. a it. time, know. me. o'clock "Templeton 1, 7, 15." distance. Midwest. problems. way. tomorrow, then. dinner. far. a them, bed. I a rooms, undressed. Fortunately, I didn't anything. I didn't to, days, knew. struggles, grounds. day, a channel. I absentmindedly meteorologists/weather a union. They're bowties. between. bed, a paper. I a worked.

"Whatcha doin'?"
. E# B4 m3 g4 J& b4 F0 Y
) V; r% h+ O7 D& Y% G$ ?; C"Comparing I I off. then?"

"Out here? Maybe. Topeka? I'm not. Why?" in. a a January. "Never mind, don't that. wasn't locked." phone, "Mom I day, I a a stuff. night. It's Island, reference. town. time, either."
0 \. b+ ^& u6 f7 ]  L& @% w
I easily. "Sure, there. day, I somebody, minister, a handyman, a volunteer, around, night." A I off. "It Island. for, I don't they'd a door."
. {6 x# a' k/ Z) P/ V1 O
"Maybe lucky." didn't I did.
7 @' }4 @# p. z2 v7 t
8 j& K! A' U. \"It's possible. happened. by. time, won't know."

"Why negative?" snapped.

) S: g4 R% y/ XI a answering. "Because it's years. We've anything, didn't did. a now, that's alive.

"The older. born. she's alive, now. a family. I she's forward. wasn't us. family." I helplessly. "We nothing. live?" apology. I continued, "That's start. out, answers. Unfortunately, side."
- w6 q5 t# t& }, n3 p
3 f" T2 i+ T8 ^4 h0 L+ W& h; u"I don't it." I a tolerance.

"Years practice. job, have. don't don't have. backfill. know." apology. didn't wrong, either.

"Hopefully, lived. That's start."

"What Iowa?" again.

"If me, I'm cop, I'd feds, too. taxes, want. It's investigation quickly." I on, returns. a a 1099 income.

2 `  u; h# @- I$ r/ M  Q"I we'll that. ?" widely.

"That good. We're Sheriff's Department." room. door, turned. "Do open? I'd you're here."

"Sure, I don't mind." I couldn't I I didn't a request.
7 N$ R/ e5 [! |( X" f
"Thanks. night, Micah." I close. a later, light, bed.

: t4 i" X. U% iI phone. wasn't I asleep.
# s. @* g+ m  K) {7 O
Ordinarily, I I awake. I already. bathroom, I poses. a top. I couldn't hadn't , a backside. I didn't linger, I a wasn't easier.
+ i( d! s& z2 e* [' t4 E
I out. it, though. nice. motel, arm, mine. I wasn't to, I nice. quickly, a wall. didn't side. still, drinking. anyway. black, people.

$ O4 q( s+ ]1 m# Q( v"You nervous?" condiments, something.

"Yeah. It's don't I'm they're us." order. "I don't knowing."

4 k4 X) T& {; ~* p2 E"It's you." I coffee. a a insulted. "What's mean?"
3 b3 V' u1 r3 |4 _2 A# ^
"Everything sense." I shrugged. "It's do."
4 o# Y" b5 N7 B7 ^% B/ L" n
"What you, Mr. Analyst?" tone.

"That's classified," I I honest. "You don't know, I you."
# e: p+ u  H8 c# P
Grace's softened. "I'm sorry, I better." a I I wouldn't today. "Most don't ask. 'analyst' upheaval."

- L% k* r1 S- c. A; x) i/ @"And?" back.

. [9 z: K" x* Q( G; q% A+ G"Well, it's simple. there's count, unhappy. ain't happy, ain't happy."

"Damn straight." I laugh. "Any share?"
7 V' Z# z% r3 c& s) ]+ k9 c
& d* B; e( U, D9 w' B' @% q! ]"Yeah. tires." I salute.
+ h4 L4 X. @0 Z9 S2 \
"It's tires, dummy." Grace's laughter.
" E5 `( x! W" W; _
3 ?; A2 B: g3 b" ]8 x1 q/ t"Both true. It's either/or."
$ a" p+ I' K5 n# y  w% o
"If so." food. I wasn't either. I wasn't I down.

( n+ f& {- i  E- x"I I don't you'd know." a mouth. I I fascinating. I hadn't before, meals.

"It good. didn't eat. It's I up." dinner. wasn't I I I it. pot, regularly. that, too. "How drink, Micah?"

' A: v1 z* M: a"A lot. I it." a I waste. That, I a appointment. eating, check, I men's room, paid. rooms, arm. rooms, own. I room. didn't arm. I up.

" _" m% L0 x5 _8 ]. i"You know, I'm anywhere, Grace." I bad. I a a time, her. "Sorry. I I'm you're here, I'm I'll again. "

I tightly. "It's fine. I'm this, too. tomorrow, we'll other's families." shoulder. "Probably. that."
+ _9 h  S: @" F8 A" }
" B1 a. U3 Z9 o: T0 {6 H"If " chest. "It's cars."
5 d& [& w6 R: Q( E
: P) W3 Q3 x; S7 A: \I forehead. ", say." go.
- x, k9 D8 j- C: w, X6 T
"Gotta face. back." a Sheriff's Department. wasn't find. duty, a call. A later, appeared. introductions, a room.

"I'm something. a minutes." Anderson's a flag. news, wasn't good. didn't it, thankfully. coffee, husband. a a Anderson. call, I hadn't officer. person, I was, muscled. I seen. I a basketball, big. moved, crosstraining regimen. muscular, I wouldn't them. off. news. a me.

"We Clarke. I'm a 24, 1981. loss." sharply. I a surprising. wasn't I I folder. approximately thick. "Iowa Report," 26, 1981, Carrington. I blank.

"Where Ames, Iowa?" herself. other, eyes. couldn't right. sympathetically, "It's "
1 K6 [* r, H9 x0 d6 c  z  Y
1 p. n, Q- h6 s" t9 ~"North? can't right." mad. "How from?"
+ Q' t: [4 E) D6 k
I gently. "Let's shit, okay?" a worse. didn't notice. I read, over. I impersonally, fiction. wasn't a way. it, "This with. you." me, that's I with, that, I later, night. I that, either. report, a a image, brief. vehicle, a 1962 wagon. 185th a 1955 F600 on. investigator's 35 approximately 50. impact, seatbelts. a report, "chicken" drinking. 0.23 death. "chicken" out, didn't recover. react. information. A Etheridge, a secretary. Etheridge, kin, any. necessary.

# [, i8 k) x5 _  _  L" J7 d- nI a Grace, me. I part. I it. here. first.
9 J9 W/ e. q# `- L
& _) f8 U( }! N& M"Unfortunately, a digitized, 'e' indexing.
4 Q# r+ c2 U( Z
"We a questions. Unfortunately, there's them. investigating Clarke. interest." up. "At point, we've identification. that, investigation miracle.

0 W; c# E9 r- i  M4 k4 Z& e) g! n"We that. anything. something."
9 P; |. f6 o' k: t
* |- \2 G- a, v$ d8 |# U% I/ ?"But " I quickly.
" r! w6 m3 t" Q5 v0 P
"They crimes. That's job. I'm it's fault. Technically, didn't us. a start. grateful."

"How "

; \& }1 N( c6 V"They don't know, Grace. Eve, asleep, doesn't a minister? later. people, we're guessing. suspect."

# _4 U- z2 ~) w; X# ^Grace's wasn't I car.

"We Dorothy. Charles." her. "There well." speaking. "Being honest, Ms. Sutton, I myself. politely, weren't accounts. better."
* b) ^% o8 V) {. M' k
I sister's me. I correct. I Eugene's me. ladies' room. her. speak.
7 ^3 X* h) Q; F  p# H' n
2 ]( l( V- y5 P/ ~$ D' K"We're can't more. Chelsea's case, it's a time."
- i" x$ G# b* o6 ^4 O& f3 ]
"Yeah, I that." I head. "I pretty. I primary?"

"Yeah, it's way. M.E. that." him. "I'm I'll sister."

; E. _$ I9 b$ \  N& t"Okay." I continue.
. T, g( a" _) R- ^1 p$ m
# `( r% W% n( N$ p  I" V"My mother's friends. up, dementia. I a family. A unverified. a off."

"It's it's started." I shoulders. "Forty a time."

"I you're Ames?" a nervously.
6 |3 d2 F/ `: Y/ G& }& `8 Y# K. H% ~
" S5 \& y6 M- i"I so. isn't a fight. She's blame. I answers, too."
. K: ~8 k! c0 `/ q4 I
"Chelsea home. I said, she's out. tied."

"I that. curiosity, orders? I don't that."
4 `# s/ h+ J5 m: E9 B& s. ]) f
"It's a priority, I'd a it's judge. this, it. rest. a month, two."

"I don't we'll long. I'm point." I folder. "The we've couldn't much. Ames."

# g- E- x5 ?* V0 T"It doesn't right, it?"

! O# x$ z! N8 @. {2 ^/ kI restroom. a I eyes.

, o" f4 Z( G5 S$ X  K) Q"We work, Micah. you've done." warmly. I same, new. door. a out. a lot. lap. I didn't spoke. "I Ames."
  L: O+ C8 [! B: K2 F
"I guessed." I calm. a meltdown, I private.

  n- x! ?- Z$ a! b' ]"You guessed? What's mean?" tone, I way.
& S* o6 M, E3 N* b$ `
"You that's next. Ames." I hand, fingers. "I you, we've a days. I it." I a relaxed.

"What I I answers, too. I've here. One, answer. Two, with. Three, we're find. I'm I be, it's I us."
, p/ j. H2 l, j4 K& b- C' a
"Somebody knows, Micah. I them." hadn't a I said, apparently. "I night. We're lunch, motel, I says. We'll morning."
6 Z* N- T" @$ F3 E( `0 y
"Sounds a plan." I a I back. a a pens. silence, monosyllables conversation. I else's deep. trash, I person. I a first.

3 j+ l) m' r: i- T* j, \I Eugene, first. four, 1935 Templeton. interviews, wasn't wasn't outright, either. student, fifteen, brother, farm. law. drink. intoxication, conduct, a arrests, charge. Anderson's notes, 1955, 1957. a 1959, fired. Anderson's "lied discharge, records?" that, slow, alcoholism. records, 1958, later. 1960, Jail. wouldn't charge. 1959 disappearance 1974, wasn't jail, a farmhand, him, cash. noted, around. records, I incomplete. I Dorothy's stack. 1938, children. Eugene, unpopular, husband. family, hadn't school. return. a son. fired, businesses, her. a heads, table, backs. 1958 1964, parents, brother, sister. farm, 1970. that. 1974, a a charge. that.
7 b# S% u8 T5 `5 x8 \: _8 b; j9 y. v
2 N. e: O; c6 ~3 X7 f1975, wasn't obvious. a afterwards.

) _9 P) x; `3 }7 S1 Z5 NCharles' next. 1958, father. him, a mechanic. wrong. disappeared. whatsoever, school. last. 1960, her. reports, wasn't date. Mrs. knew, Rebecca, Becky, a boy. Mrs. Anderson's anyone. business. a a hadn't school. 1978. Mrs. beliefs. couldn't specific. a a 1979 1980. Ames, a a mechanic. a a secretary. 1981, a again. teleconference, a Grace's child.

# @" i3 x/ Q4 W9 O  [( @9 _That's I didn't get. didn't hide, numbers, birth? didn't things. scene, didn't a gruesome. hadn't services. occurred. I Dorothy, Charles. Eugene's Dorothy's I didn't notes.
* [$ P# s  p0 b. r3 t! f
I Charles' reports, I to. A collision, airbags, findings.

# d. S- o/ _  `% `I notes. Eugene's a a I happened. a it. a age, didn't status. it, Army. didn't fired. that. request. "Tell says."
1 I6 a5 u* G$ n9 Y
4 h. C7 ]  G. G# W1 A"Eugene punch, one. misdemeanors, anybody. record, I don't status. that, thing."
+ n4 [% }2 X2 l8 A" k
I Dorothy. "Dorothy time. I'm time, too. then, alone. out, to.
- {3 W  K" h9 F: o+ D
% x6 O, I) V3 ]3 \& B" k"What died. weren't complaints, didn't, didn't it, off. I tell, wasn't type. wasn't I couldn't coming."

I Rebecca. "The I unreliable. Anderson's Rebecca's dementia. didn't a different. Templeton. graduation." a moment. "Nobody one?"

. C. `% m6 X& S! v# |7 i* V"Nope. things. a Mrs. one."

"Best don't

, Micah. a man, a rep. Moines, wouldn't hard, it's far. talkers." red. "That's experience. I've before."

$ L& H0 H& k. V4 `" K. p0 Q. S8 r"Didn't a I don't it, either." I a moment. I I back.
( F, d& o3 [4 F* R6 L+ x
- }1 {1 G6 ?- v/ a% G6 a"We why. church's website, Etheridge, age. 1975 2015. it's alive." I didn't I to. "We to." a I wasn't 'no' answer. "He is. He'd be."
. v- i, d( R0 ]7 [+ j9 k2 k5 F$ u
"Keep vibes. want. I'm doesn't coop." I bed.

4 M1 L/ F& q$ a) N2 v/ B"He'd separated. I "
5 N2 f$ L4 p, [. r4 X
"Like what, Grace?" I angry. I anger, I wasn't didn't. a that. lap. a whisper. "A freak. I a freak. a I couldn't what."

I bed. "I that, missing. anymore. We're we're together. can't happened, forward." me. "I'm sorry, Micah. a town, it's it. I purpose. me, too.
0 _& w* z; Y5 v- j4 z8 n* J# T
" o# X& F6 n, W. b", husband, boyfriend, mother, I'm a lesbian. I've dad. I haven't I I I've life."
4 c; g2 x) J' G8 h  V0 V# h
"I way, I you. didn't us, died. I'm wasn't choice. I'm you. I'm concerned, we're other." I head. "We aren't alone." a response. silently, silence. food, phone.
0 d0 Z" r. I+ H+ G+ \
"Sounds dinner. go." I me. I me. a business, over. surprisingly, building. didn't dinner. upbeat, childhoods. dessert, overindulging. other's motel. door, pocket. "I'm comfortable, I'll a minute." door, I didn't a mine. I door, shorts, bathroom. I wasn't bashful, I a hard. see. I bathroom. scrubbed, loose, wearing. wasn't a chest. , amazing. obvious, fabric. began. I was, though. out, I a fabric. cute, cock. I a thought. wasn't I relax. channels. a football, I on, show.
! X) ^6 c1 [; W
  u# U9 i) N4 c" h" ]! l) W( h* I+ yI phone, side. I me, touching. over, I side, shoulder. reading.

8 N7 q: a) V) ]+ i# I$ v"Didn't already?" Grace's a insides. wasn't doing.

I erection, hadn't noticed. "Yeah. I times, a between. better."
4 n" u, {7 x- h+ v/ K
: K, V# q  {& u3 s8 A1 G, H; e"Your weird." closer, hip.

% `; z, k; R- l1 w"I don't I that." good, wasn't away, mine. I it. completeness' afternoon.

/ F* j$ Q% q' W) Z3 SI Grace, profane. I that. breath.

2 z0 e# [% l; I8 MI stomach. "Since can't afternoon, I site."
: X& t8 a/ B7 u
"Why?" I wasn't I wasn't surprised.

"Because I know. It's this. It's we're now." wasn't want, need. I it. another. easier.
# f/ F* |5 t+ ^9 N) T" ?
* E+ @2 ^5 U! C1 G, B"If to. It's far." side.

5 i: [( q) x0 N# N2 H, {"No, it's not. way. don't early." didn't didn't to.
# {0 x2 h: O' ]  E8 g( f5 t
"That's good." a it. A later, a bit. out.
) T  z$ M, L2 U1 q- @# I' d0 z
. _- z! G- v2 @4 m- K5 mI reading, I her. I a little, a loud. I couldn't leg, specifically, ass. a firm, butt.
9 z: Y" T/ V* j  N  C
$ Z& B" L. d: aI uncontrollable looked. I wasn't away. course, I a way. sister, blood, wrong. I couldn't I her. me, natural. I a ago. cartels, region. factions. accessibility. insulated, captains. a wasn't way. meetings, compound. compromised. started.

$ I' Q4 Y4 g+ U3 aA why. a sister. a norm, faithful. infidelity. reason, wouldn't I intrafamilial relationships. I attraction. a young, I couldn't extreme, options.

' P) k: `5 m) C1 ]/ r5 h$ fEventually, tasks. I hadn't then, now. I feeling. I freak, too. I I didn't Grace. familiarity. I so. mumbled, "What it?" noticing. I along, I head.
( k0 S2 t8 T4 y7 z" p+ z0 j
$ x3 e5 {5 Q( T0 m- [$ {"A ten." starting.
; E6 ~. x, {8 V" r" @) {
"What morning?"
. h1 l2 D3 K! [0 f' @6 j' c/ x3 r
6 V! h/ N  R1 {' s/ ["Not early. here. site, Etheridge." finished.
- I( X/ [0 F$ K% C3 M  e
" t( W1 b3 g( z! Z" v, t"Or first, site, man." I spoke.

: M9 V  y4 m- e, q7 a' kI I her. "Why much?" me. "Because I I a brother. I why." continued. "I can't a that. I us."

% X1 {$ t, p& ?; W& i) E1 ~I wasn't anything, sister. late, tired, wasn't now.
9 |% a0 Z5 y! B3 N
2 {% }1 F1 U2 c4 W6 t"Sounds fair. morning. you." I up.

"I a while." I out. eventually, encouragement me. I room. middle, chest. waist, warm, soft, amazing. up, moment, a chest. I said, "Say goodnight, Gracie." chest. "Goodnight, Gracie," playful. "Daddy I a kid."
2 }# r) J! x, b6 T8 A3 |: w
, _* Y9 E% J) c2 ^, RI wasn't a us. "Goodnight." watch. a pose, up, a ass. cake. it. I her. I eventually.
; u# ]+ |& L+ u+ l4 @
# x, P2 [/ ~. ZI bed. bathroom, Grace's quiet. I light. asleep, I I a I couldn't door. I awake. a frame. steam. I a problem.

2 x- W% b( }  d' c3 Q; v- {/ ]- L! MI wasn't a masturbator, way. days.

us. "Why here? It's a mom."

I Grace. I couldn't was. right, a us.

2 S4 ~% {! x: Y! t"Fuck." I Penny. "This wasn't a snapshot. a lens, wouldn't obvious. things, a out."

6 M5 }+ t0 f* _. C7 B9 f- k"Somebody purpose? Why? us?" up.
9 X4 F  t9 Y+ [5 T' p
* r; l. w  ?; v, c4 S"I idea. I don't taken, pictures." I didn't all.

"Omaha, Omaha. back. murdered, I there, news."
8 S& e! B' i" }, ]! {+ p
I I lip. surface, coincidence. I wasn't. a handle. truck. Texas. myself. I eight. driver's truck. handle.
! M4 U& s; z* r$ |; z: K4 m
! p/ C/ Z0 C4 ]3 b  U+ p0 kI mouth. phone, I a search. Schultz's unsolved, police. a Omaha. a crime.
% L$ N/ ~& X, Q. f8 x! `
, S7 c- Z9 l! A4 t6 V, E+ i8 JA a a money. couldn't anything. true, wasn't hard. I me. money, embezzlement. blackmail, don't cops. debts, future. mistake, intended, a family. I didn't I it. I did. I anything, I suspicions. wouldn't that. would, I it.
. `9 k" P9 y; Z5 Y% Y4 ^9 }$ j# g7 ]
I Parker, important. I belief. I Becky. I Sutton, a I didn't know, daughter.

I I I necessary.

1 j& w, S& J. P9 j5 M, S2 B; kI head. picture. "I I this. I'm met, didn't time." me. "At now."

a years, you, reader. Manu, possible.
! _& k) g8 u2 q. u2 Q4 v, ?: X4 }
NaughteeDragon, friend, reader, editor, critic. help, suggestions, comments. stand. I can't out. last, least, Author's forum, from. I haven't I'm a "What I Why" story. someday...

I a tell, I I'll around. you!
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