Chapter 13
Roland refused his old position.
I expected that.
“You don’t trust me?”
He almost smiled.
“More than three weeks ago.”
Fair.
Then:
“I’m sixty-three, Boss.”
I frowned.
“You’re sixty.”
“Felt sixty-three in Idaho.”
Good.
He wanted time with Adelise.
A small home near her.
Maybe consulting work later.
No full-time bodyguard.
I accepted.
Then apologized.
That made him uncomfortable.
Excellent.
“For what?”
“Not returning your calls.”
His face softened.
“You didn’t know.”
“I knew three calls meant something.”
Silence.
True.
Then I apologized for something worse.
Believing Ismeralda’s version after he vanished without asking whether she had reasons to shape it.
Roland looked at me carefully.
“You loved her.”
“Yes.”
“Love makes men stupid.”
“Apparently retirement makes you brave.”
He laughed.
Good.
Then:
“I was wrong about you too.”
He had assumed my engagement meant I had chosen her over every old loyalist.
Assumed I knew more than I did.
Assumed Adelise’s job meant leverage with my permission.
Neither of us verified.
Different reasons.
Same result.
Distance.
Roland looked toward his daughter across the garden.
“She grew up while I was being careful.”
That sentence stayed with me.
Protection can steal time too.
He disappeared to keep Adelise safe.
Understandable.
But silence also deprived her of choice.
He knew that.
“I should have found a way.”
“Yes.”
No easy absolution.
Then he asked if I still had the medal.
Adelise did.
She kept it in the same velvet case.
Coins removed.
Good.
“Give it back to him?” I asked her later.
She shook her head.
“He lost eighteen months. I’m keeping collateral.”
Roland heard.
“Thief.”
May you like
She smiled.
Family returning.
