Chapter 23: The Fund

Dalton took his plea on the second Tuesday of March, in a courtroom with oak benches and a bad radiator.

I sat in the second row with my daughter asleep against my shoulder.

Elliot sat on my left.

Posy sat on my right with her son in a carrier, and Yvette had taken the day off to glare at the back of Dalton's head.

He stood at the defense table in a gray suit that no longer fit.

The judge read the terms in a flat voice.

Dalton R. Lowell pleaded guilty to theft of company funds.

He would repay the thirty-eight thousand dollars and every other charge the accountants had found.

He would serve eighteen months and be barred from handling another person's money.

The judge looked down over her glasses.

"Mr. Lowell, there is also a matter of fifty-two thousand dollars held in a frozen account."

"Yes, Your Honor."

"I am ordering it released to Ms. Hartnett today, with interest, and your share of the Maple Run house sale is hers until the balance is covered."

Dalton nodded.

His eyes were on the table.

When it was over, a deputy let him stop at the rail.

He looked at the baby on my shoulder.

For a long moment he did not say anything, and I did not make it easier.

"Is she all right?" he asked.

"She's fine."

"Does she..." He swallowed. "I won't contest anything. I won't ask. Don't tell her about me."

"I'll tell her the truth when she asks."

"That's all I'm afraid of."

"I know," I said. "You should be."

He looked at Elliot.

Elliot looked back at him, level and unhurried, without anger, and said, "Goodbye, Dalton."

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