He Killed Me Then Loved Me novel · Chapter 13 of 24
Chapter 13: The Host's Rule
Phillip fastened his watch around my wrist at six o'clock the next evening.
"It records," he said. "I tested it against the jukebox at the diner. It picks up a whole room."
"He'll see it."
"He's never looked at a watch in his life. He looks at faces."
I pulled my sleeve down over it.
"I'll be in Maggie's car across the street," he said. "If you want out, say the word 'pie' and I'll come through the wall."
"Pie."
"Pie."
I almost laughed. Then I got out and walked into the Hartford Club alone.
A man at the door asked for my phone. He put it in a drawer and handed me a numbered ticket.
"Mr. Chichester's rule," he said. "He likes people to listen."
Everard waited in a private room with one table set for two.
He stood up when I came in. He pulled out my chair himself.
"Hallie," he said. His eyes were wet. "Thank you for coming. I wasn't sure you would."
"Phillip says you wanted to apologize."
"I do." He sat and folded his hands. "Let me say it plainly, because you deserve that. Twelve years ago I drove home drunk, and I killed your mother."
He said it so gently that for a moment the words did not land.
The waiter set down a plate of food I could not eat.
"I've carried it every day," Everard said. "The school, the house, all of it. It was never charity. It was the only way I knew to say sorry."
"You never told me."
"You were seven. Then you were twelve, and then you were doing so well." He opened his hands. "I told myself there was always a better time."
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