Left Behind at the Crosswalk of Life novel · Chapter 11 of 24

Chapter 11: Terms

Nolan's POV

She told me everything at my kitchen table, with Delaney's lipstick mug still in the sink behind her.

She told it flat and in order, and she never asked me for anything.

"Start with the money," I said.

"Two hundred and twelve thousand dollars, from my father's bakery," she said. "Slade sold the building, and he sent flowers to the funeral."

"And you married him."

"Four months later, at the courthouse. He asked me to keep it quiet until his mother got better."

"His mother's health has been getting better for two years," Minnie said.

"Where's the money now?"

"In an account with both our names. When I asked for a statement, he said the market was down."

I looked at her ring hand, flat on my table.

"Then you followed Delaney to my door."

"I watched her kiss you goodbye on the stoop on a Thursday morning," Minnie said.

I thought about that kiss.

I had thought it was a good one.

"So I knew there was a man at the other end," she said. "Someone who didn't know yet. I meant to tell you after the gala, when it was done."

"And the night I found out, you filmed me."

"I filmed the corner, and I filmed you." She looked at her hands. "I wanted him to see that his friend had been standing there. I wanted the tape for a judge."

"You wanted a witness."

"I wanted someone who'd be as angry as I was." Her voice cracked at last. "And then I put the umbrella over you and I couldn't stop."

"And Milwaukee?"

"He was married there first. Six years ago. I found the license when I looked for his tax papers." She swallowed. "I haven't called her. I didn't have the nerve."

I sat there with my hands flat on the table.

I waited for the anger.

It was there, hot and heavy, but it wasn't aimed where I had thought it would be.

"You used me," I said.

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