The Dream Thief by Kari Kilgore (books for 10th graders txt) 📕

Bill closed his eyes, nodding.

"Family I understand, better than I'd like to," he said. "If only we could trade. Rullin is more terrified of you than he'll ever be of me. So you're furious with her and who she is, and you'll be heartbroken without her."

"That about sums it up. I know I can never live with her when I can't live with what she does, how she affects other people. I don't know what I could do that would have any effect on her. I doubt she cares much about me except as an easy mark."

Bill laughed and refilled both their glasses.

"That's where I come in," he said. "I'll tell you first that I've never seen her so taken with a man, and I've known her for a long time. Now, before I say another word, is this broken promise one you can forgive? I'm single for a reason, but I have more experience in these things than I care to admit. Think about it before you act, my friend. Loretta is an extraordinary woman."

Karl raised his eyebrows, then hid his face against his knees. None of his brief relationships, going back to when he was younger than Rullin, had ever gotten so deeply into his heart or his mind as this one.

He might never find another who fit him so well.

And if he was a lucky man, he'd never find another who could betray him and everything he believed so deeply as long as he lived.

"Whether I can forgive her or not isn't the question," he said, looking at Bill. "I can never trust her again. Getting my family involved in all of this isn't something I can get past. And yeah, she may have done some things I can't forgive. I have no doubt she will again."

"Just so," Bill said, nodding. "If you decide to go through with this, the way to get to Loretta is her past. It's more unpleasant than either of us want to imagine. Only Gemma was worth considering as family. She's worked hard to put it behind her and keep anyone else from learning about it."

"I might just make her angry enough to turn all of us in, Bill. She'd cast a wide net if she wanted to. I don't want her in prison, but I don't think I could stand running into her on the street."

Karl didn't want to tell the pilot the truth. He knew he'd search for her in the middle of the night, trying to stop her from destroying anyone else's mind. Trying to distract her with lovemaking, convincing himself it was only to protect others in Waldron's Gate.

Knowing it would never be enough for either of them and never able to stop.

"She could hurt a great many people if she wanted to," the pilot said. "Or if she had to. That's why the threat of an investigation might be exactly what you need. If you can get her to leave before she manages to take us all down, that may be our best chance. Starting over somewhere else without a murder hanging over her head might even be a good thing."

Karl shook his head. "I can't just turn her in for Rhysto's murder. That would catch both of us, too."

Bill swallowed his whiskey, and Karl did the same.

"No, nothing so uncivilized as all that," Bill said. "All you need is someone to make it look like she's being investigated. Someone who has enough power to make her believe it. You already know a man like this, one who'd probably be quite happy to get back at our dear lady and rid himself of her at the same time."

"Mr. Norwood," Karl said. "I'd have to convince him, but he probably does know more than enough people to pull this off."

"As Director of the Posts, I'd imagine he has more inside information than anyone else in Waldron's Gate, maybe more than anyone else in Alterra. I can't imagine he doesn't use at least some of the same methods I do to obtain information."

Karl grunted, remembering how easily Bill extracted Rollin’s letter. Mr. Norwood undoubtedly had faster and easier ways to gather dirt while keeping his perfectly manicured fingernails clean.

"That may be exactly what I needed, Bill. Well, except for the courage to go through with this."

Bill held up the bottle, but Karl shook his head.

"Courage does not seem to be a quality you lack," Bill said. "Once you make your decision, all will be clear. Not easy, I'm sure, but clear."

"This is probably far too much for me to ask," Karl said. "I've had just about enough to drink now to manage. If Loretta comes to you, will you help her? Take her away from here?"

Bill smiled.

"Only if you answer me now, and answer me truly. Will you follow behind, begging me to take you to her?"

Karl closed his eyes, trying to see into a future he didn't want to imagine.

"No, Bill. I won't. And when I ask, please don't tell me where she is."

Chapter 54

Karl looked up and down the street the next morning, wanting to be sure he had the correct house. He'd only been here once, and that at night. The address matched in the bright sunlight, at least what he remembered after such an unbelievable few weeks.

It would have to do. He didn't have long to get this over with and get back home for the funeral. He knocked on the cheerful yellow door.

Mr. and Mrs. Norwood both stood before him, neither dressed for company early on a weekend morning. Mrs. Norwood smiled at him, and Karl remembered she'd never seen his face that night.

Mr. Norwood glanced around the yard as he moved in front of his wife. He was not smiling.

"What do you want?" Mr. Norwood said.

"I need to speak with you for a few minutes, sir," Karl said. "I have another engagement, so I won't take up much of your time."

Mrs. Norwood leaned around her husband's