Page 119 of Midnight Enemy

“Do you believe there are times when the end justifies the means?” I ask. “I mean, I know you think the same healthcare should be available to everyone, regardless of whether they have money or not. So do I, as it happens. So bearing in mind that the system sucks, do you understand why he did it?”

“I understand. But he shouldn’t have stolen from his friends and family. Mum wouldn’t have wanted that.”

“No, I suppose not.”

She looks away, out of the window, across the green. “Your analogy of The Matrix was very apt.”

“Maybe. But don’t forget that the moral of the movie is that knowledge and self-awareness lead to positive growth and change, even if the truth is painful and uncomfortable.”

She looks back at me and wipes her face again. “I understand. But I wish it didn’t hurt quite so much.” She starts crying again.

I take her mug and put it with mine on the table, then pull her into my arms again. I turn and lie back on the cushions, stretching out and bringing her with me, turning a little so she’s tucked against the back of the sofa and can’t fall off.

Both her parents have died. She has a younger sister she’s obviously felt the need to look after and protect, and she also found out that she owns the land that Kahukura is built on, which is a huge responsibility. And now she’s discovered something about her father that has shaken all her core values and principles like an earthquake. She’ll have to deal with the aftershocks for a long while. But hopefully when she rebuilds, the foundations will be stronger for it.

Half an hour later, Ana comes out, leans over the sofa, and sees that Scarlett is asleep. She goes off, returns with a blanket, and covers us both.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

She gives a small smile and returns to her room.

I fall into a light doze, only stirring when Scarlett finally wakes. It’s dark now, the only light from the moon outside, which casts us in a silvery light.

“How are you doing?” I ask as we both sit up.

“I’m a bit stiff.” She gives a watery smile. “I need to go to bed. Do you… want to come with me?”

I’m tempted, but I say, “No, I’ll head back to my apartment. I think you need some time alone, and to explain everything to Ana. So I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Is that okay?”

She nods. “I’m sorry we missed the play.”

“It’s fine. Try to get some sleep.”

“All right.”

I pick up my jacket and car keys, and we cross to the door. She opens it, and I go out, then stop on the doorstep.

I turn and cup her face. “Everything’s going to be okay,” I tell her.

“It doesn’t feel like it at the moment,” she whispers.

“I know. But you’ll be fine. You’re strong Scarlett.” I lower my head and press my lips to hers, just once, soft as a feather. “Trust me.”

“I do.”

Surprised, I kiss her nose, then lower my hand and move back. We study each other for a moment. Then I give a small smile, turn, and walk away, hearing the door close behind me.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Scarlett

I open Ana’s door, but she’s already asleep. I’m dog tired too, exhausted and emotionally wrung out, but when I go to bed I find myself lying awake in the darkness, my brain and my heart locked in battle.

As the night wears on, I work through a plethora of emotions, from hurt to shame to anger to confusion. How can someone spend a lifetime teaching the goodness of people and the importance of friends and family, only to steal from that community when he felt like it? Did he spend weeks agonizing over whether he should do it? Or did he move quickly once he discovered we couldn’t afford Mum’s treatment? Orson’s announcement that Dad had stolen before suggests it wouldn’t have taken him long to decide.

I think about when I asked Orson’s thoughts on whether the end justifies the means. He was very diplomatic and said he understood why Dad had taken the money, but that he should have gone to the Elders and asked for their help. I agree with him—I thought that was the idea of living in a commune, too. We’re supposed to solve problems together.

I feel as if the world has tipped on its axis, and the south pole is now the north. I thought Spencer was heartless and cruel and thought only of money, and my father was the one with outstanding values and principles. But it turns out that Spencer is honest and sincere and has integrity, and my father was… what? A thief who bent the rules if it meant he could get what he wanted.

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