Page 58 of Tango

“Tell Keith,” Lexi’s soft voice filled the room, “I loved him the best way I knew how. It was far from perfect, but it was the only way I could.” She coughed as she took a breath. “Find someone, someone,” cough-cough, “who will love you and our babies.” There was a pause. “I forgive you, Keith. With all my heart, I forgive you.”

I blinked to clear my eyes and looked at the tears that streamed down his face. I glanced quickly over at Doc and saw him mop at his eyes with a hanky.

“In her final moments, she was selfless, and she forgave me for not coming home. It’s always been there between us,” he looked up at me, “I know it was. All those years ago when I let her down when her parents were murdered.” He used the back of his hand to dry his cheeks. “That’s the Lexi I fell in love with.” He smiled, and a chuckle broke from somewhere inside him, then he broke into a sob immediately afterward. “For her to say those things,” his breath caught in his throat, “what it did for me inside,” he hit his chest, “it’s like I know I’ll be okay, and our kids will be too. I know she loved us. She couldn’t help who she was.” His voice cracked, and he leaned forward over the recorder and let go of all the emotion he’d tried to hold back.

I joined him on the couch, wrapped my arm around his shoulders and cried with him.

“Let it out, Keith. Let all the guck out,” I whispered. “She gave you the gift of closure, and not many ever get that.”

My uncle stood and placed a hand on Keith’s shoulder and bowed his head. We stood there in solidarity and gave him the time he needed to grieve for his wife.

* * *

“That was certainly…heavy.” My uncle came back into the office. He’d walked Keith out of the room and watched him as he went down the hall. “Paul was waiting for him by the stairs. I’m glad he has the support of his brothers.”

“He’s going to be okay.” I nodded.

“I’m impressed, Ivy. You handled yourself extremely well.”

“I was taught by the best.” I sniffed as I fluffed up the pillows on the couch, only to have Scoot jump up and push them back down again as he made himself at home. “I have to admit the last hour wrung me out.” I pursed my lips and blew out a whistle of air as I sat down.

“Ivy, I’m retiring, and I can’t think of a better person to take over for me here.”

Wait. What? Where did that come from?

“Take over? You’re retiring?”

“In a way, yes.”

“You can’t retire.” I looked at him in shock.

Was he mad?

“I can, and I think it’s time. Well, maybe not full-time.” He adjusted his glasses as he often did when there was more he wanted to say. “I’m getting older and have a few things I’d like to do.”

“Such as?” I looked at him with wide eyes.

“Such as pull back on my duties here. I will, of course, still work with Dark Water until they bring in someone. But the timing of your situation and how well you’ve fit in here couldn’t have come at a better time. You’ve earned the confidence of everyone here, and—”

“Why did you dodge my question?” I folded my arms as he cleared his throat.

“You may have noticed I’ve been a little distant lately.”

“Yes, but I just figured you were off in a dark corner with someone. You know, getting it on with the nanny.” I wiggled my brows at him as I pointed to his cheek, and he glared, hating that I’d caught the lipstick earlier. “Don’t be such a prude, uncle. I’m happy for you.” I laughed. “If you want to move on to something different, do it. But I’m not the one you’ll need to convince. You have like a hundred sons out there who won’t let you leave easily.”

“There’s really only one I worry about.” He looked at the door, and I figured he meant Keith. “But right now, I need you to focus on getting Blackstone ready for this trip to Mexico. I’m not pulling any stops with Dark Water. This will be their first mission, and it’s not just them going, it’s also Quinn’s team Dusk and Mills’ team Eagle Eye.” I knew that General Frank Brandon had started team Eagle Eye years ago, but his skills were needed in Washington. He since stepped down, and Mills had taken over the team. Frank kept in close touch with the men, and I knew he still itched to get back in the action.

“Jesus,” I huffed, “I know they’re going after Castillo, but do we really need all our men to take him down?”

“Our guys have special skills,” he nodded, “but best you don’t know all the details.” He leaned over and kissed my temple. “Now, I have some calls to make.” He left as my own phone vibrated on the desk.

It was Shelly.

I read her text a few times and wondered what I should do, then I remembered Savannah’s offer and headed for the kitchen.

“You know, baby girl, if you eat this banana for me, I’ll give you a cookie.” June glanced up at me as I came in and took the stool next to Reagan. June mouthed, “Won’t eat, won’t talk.”

I reached over and plucked a marker from where she’d been drawing.

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