Page 67 of Secret
"So, no more stripes, huh? Does that mean I have to give up your nickname now?" Kasey asked her.
"Nope. I like that you call me that. It always reminds me I'm safe." She nodded to the TV. "Can I play?"
Kasey looked at Matt. "I'm okay with it, if you are."
Matt nodded. "You'll have to play alone. I'm going to go into the kitchen with Uncle Kasey and talk, okay?"
Faith nodded, already up and searching for the game she wanted.
Kasey stood, leading Matt into the kitchen. "Want a drink?"
"No, thanks." Matt leaned against the counter. "So, seriously, how are you?"
"Numb. I don't know what to do or think. I took Monday to get everything ready for when they arrest me, I hate leaving the mess to you guys, but I don't have time to sell the house or do all that, so once I'm arrested it will go into your names so that you can sell it and the money will be put in a trust fund for Faith when she is older."
Matt's eyes widened. "You didn't need to do that."
"What else am I going to do with it? The chances I'll ever get out are slim. They'll pin every castration on me, plus the few murders that happened over the years." Kasey shrugged.
"They weren't murders. It was self-defense," Matt said.
"I think the fact that I broke into the house makes it murder." Kasey sighed. "It doesn't matter. I don't need it. Hopefully, Faith can go to a good college. I know you and Xander have money too, but I don't have anyone else to leave it to. Faith is the closest thing to family I have outside of the team."
"When do you think they'll come for you?" Matt asked.
"I thought they would by now. I expected him to arrest me when he confronted me. Then when he didn't, I figured I'd have a few hours. That's why I called Bryon right away. But it's been three days now. I saw him on Saturday right after we got home. It's Wednesday and I'm still waiting."
"Maybe he changed his mind." Matt looked hopeful.
"Yeah, I doubt that. I know arresting me won't be easy for Noam, but he will do what the law tells him to. He can't ignore what he knows. I just feel like shit that the team is on hold now. I don't know how long before you will be safe. If I go to trial, it could be months or even years before this is buried and people aren't talking about it."
"What do you meanifyou go to trial. Of course you're going to fight this." Matt narrowed his eyes.
"Why fight it? If I admit to it all, then it makes it easier on you guys. Why waste the time and money on fighting something I can't win?"
The sudden sound of the doorbell had them both freezing.
"I've got it," Faith yelled.
"Faith, no!" Kasey raced to beat her to the door, but by the time he got there, Faith had it open and was smiling at the man on the other side. She turned to Kasey. "It's just Noam." She stepped aside. "Come in."
Kasey's heart raced. He stared at Noam as he stepped into the house, unsure what to say.
"Faith, turn off the TV. We need to go." Matt gripped Kasey's shoulder.
"But, Dad, I just started a game." Faith pouted.
"Faith, I said now. Noam and Uncle Kasey need to talk." Matt glanced at Noam. "Whatever you do, will you call me and let me know where he is, what I can do for him?" He pulled out his wallet, slipped out a business card, and handed it to Noam.
"Sure." Noam took the card, tucking it into his own pocket. He never took his eyes off Kasey as he did it.
Kasey stared back, trying to hide the slight tremble of his body as fear hit him hard. He was about to go to jail, then to prison for the rest of his life. Part of him wanted to run, the other part had to face what was to come.
"I love you, Uncle Kasey." Faith threw her arms around him.
He closed his eyes, taking his attention off Noam and turning it to Faith. He hugged her tightly, kissed the top of her head, then pulled back as he looked at her. "I love you too. You are the most amazing young woman. Don't ever forget that." He kissed her forehead. "I love you so much." He forced himself to release her.
Faith narrowed her eyes. "Are you okay?"
