Page 107 of Lethal Deceit

“Always, son. Let me have it.”

I take a breath and lay it on him. “I met someone, but she’s… not exactly the kind of girl you and Mom would have chosen for me.”

Dad exhales, the sound crackling faintly over the line. “How so?”

I shift the phone to my other ear, heart thudding like it’s trying to punch through my ribs. “She made some bad choices. Did some dumb things…”

A pause. “Right. How bad are these choices and these dumb things?”

I drag a hand down my face. “Bad. Really bad.”

“Did she murder someone?”

“No.”

A beat of silence. I can picture his brow raised, that skeptical half-frown I’ve seen a hundred times. “Hmmm. She conspire to murder someone?”

“It’s not that kind of bad.”

“Well, there isnothingthat God won’t forgive. If she’s repentant, that’s all that matters.”

I run my hand over my face. “Yeah, I know, but… look, I need you to just be open-minded. I’m not making excuses for her, but she didn’t have it as good as me and Brooke did.”

“What are you trying to tell me, son?”

“She was accidentally involved in the terror attack.”

Silence.

“Dad? You still there?”

“I’m here. I’m just trying to figure out if you’re yanking my chain.”

“I’m not. She’s the woman I was trying to find when I went on TV.”

“Son, I’m not sure what you’re trying to say.”

“I’m trying to say…” I close my eyes. “I want you and Mom to meet her. Brooke already has.”

“Brooke has met the woman who nearly got you killed?”

I kick the couch. I should have done this face-to-face and with my sister to back me up.

Another indication I’m not thinking clearly. Being apart from Samantha is ten times worse than being with her. “She wants to apologize to you both for the part she played.”

“Son, the way you painted her, she needs to be serving a life sentence. Are you telling me you’ve not only forgiven her, but you’re in love with her?”

That stops me in my tracks. I never said anything about being in love with her.

“Uh, I, it’s…” I say.

He chuckles. “Well, I’ll be. You really have fallen for this woman. I’m happy for you, son. Surprised at your choice, but happy.”

I’m so relieved my voice hitches. “Really?”

“Course I am. But between you and me, you made the right call letting me know first. It’ll give me time to warm your mother up before you bring her here.”

“I’ll swing by as soon as everything is… worked out.”

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