“Taken,” he answered.
Sheryn patted his arm. “See you in a bit.”
Emily was so lost in her own thoughts that this exchange didn’t seem to register. When Alex joined her on the bench, she reached for his hand. “How did it go?” she whispered.
“You were right about appealing to his virtue.”
Emily’s shoulders sank, and her head fell forward. The loss of composure was momentary; she took an audible breath and squared her frame.
“Now you get to watch me take that bastard down,” she said.
They were quiet, waiting for Sheryn to return. Only she didn’t; her partner, Rafael, appeared in her place. “Sheryn said she had to talk to the ADA,” he explained. “You guys want to go out and get some coffee?”
Alex liked Rafael Mendoza, and he appreciated that the detective was determined to keep them in a good frame of mind. But he couldn’t help but wonder about what strings Sheryn was pulling. He’d lied to Will about his ex-wife being in New York. Hadley had flat-out refused to come back to New York, though it was true that she was deeply upset at the thought of Will dragging her name through the mud in a trial. Sheryn, relentless as ever, was refusing to take no for an answer. When she finally reappeared, almost two hours later, she was wearing her poker face.
“I’ve got two words for you,” she announced. “Plea deal.”
There was a thunderstruck silence, broken by Rafael’s applause. “Damn, Sheryn. You never say never.”
“You’re serious?” Alex choked out. “Will took the deal?”
“I’m not at liberty to explain all of it right now, but I can promise you that an agreement has been reached. Will Sipher’s not going to be locked up for anywhere near as long as he deserves, but he’s going to wear out a few prison jumpsuits.”
“I don’t understand,” Emily said. “What changed his mind?”
“There was a whole constellation of factors,” Sheryn answered. She put her hand on Emily’s arm. “I need to have a few words with Alex right now. Can you wait here with my partner?”
Emily nodded. Alex followed Sheryn down the hall, into an empty nook near an open courtroom door.
“We did it!” Sheryn whispered excitedly.
“I did nothing,” Alex said, “except slip that little nugget to Will about his ex-wife testifying. She knows all about his drug problems, and she’s still such a sore spot for him. He flipped out.”
“Exactly as you said he would. All that advance planning we did paid off. After you dropped that bombshell on him, he spent the next hour calling the most expensive hotels in New York trying to find her.” Sheryn smiled. “Of course, he found her registered under her real name at the trendiest one. It’s details like those that do the selling job for you. But that wasn’t the coup de grâce. Hadley actually came through in the end.”
Alex jaw fell open at that. “You got her to agree to testify?”
“Hell, no.” Sheryn pulled out her phone and opened up an app. “I got Hadley to post on social media as if she were in town.”
She held up her screen. Just discovered the best coffee in New York is now brewed in Brooklyn, Hadley had tweeted, with a photo of a red-taloned hand—sporting a sapphire ring—that cradled a white porcelain cup.
“What is that supposed to be?” Alex asked.
“It’s an outtake from her last trip to New York,” Sheryn explained. “And vague enough to look like she’s here right now.”
“Genius.” Alex shook his head in admiration while Sheryn put her phone away. “Do you think he’ll ever figure out that Hadley wasn’t actually in New York? That we made this shit up?”
“Maybe one day. But that won’t negate the plea agreement he just signed.” Sheryn leaned in a little closer. “I feel bad about keeping this from Emily, but we had no choice. We needed Will to see how down she was this morning. Otherwise, he would’ve smelled a trap. You can tell her later if you want to. I know you two have had enough secrets between you.”
“Too many,” Alex said. “On both sides.”
“I wondered what would happen to you two when the truth about Cori came out,” Sheryn said. “When Emily confessed it all to me, I thought it might break you two up.”
“It was a shock, but at the same time, it wasn’t,” Alex answered. “I half remembered Cori trying to get me to jump off the roof with her. She wanted to die, but she was too afraid to do it alone. Cori would’ve taken Emily with her if she could.” He paused. “What happened on the roof didn’t make me love Emily less. If anything, it was the opposite. Deep down, I had the feeling she would ditch me one day. I couldn’t believe what she’d sacrificed for me.”
“You two are a pair of incurable romantics.”
“So are you, Detective.”
“How’s that?”
“Emily and I both thought you’d charge her with obstruction or something like it.”
“She wasn’t responsible for Cori’s death,” Sheryn said. “It was a death by misadventure, just like the medical examiner thought. I wish Emily had come forward at the time, but there were extenuating circumstances, thanks to Mr. Sipher. My job is catching bad guys. I like to focus on that.” She raised an eyebrow. “What’s next for you?”
“I’ll be with Emily, working in a refugee camp,” Alex said. “I’m done with war zones. The therapist you recommended has helped so much with my PTSD, and I know I’m not ready to put myself in danger like that. I might never be again. But there are millions of refugees. When you hear about them on the news or read about them online, you can’t wrap your mind around what they’re going through. It’s too overwhelming. I want to make people see the reality of their situation. I can’t save a life the way a doctor can, but I can be a witness. I can tell their stories.”
“A picture’s worth a thousand words,” Sheryn said. “I’m glad to know you’ll be doing the Lord’s work. Will Sid go with you?”
“Our neighbor, Mrs. DiGregorio, is going to take care of him while we’re away.”
“That’s good,” Sheryn said. “But if she can’t do it for any reason, you should know there’s a family who’d happily take him in, if Sid doesn’t mind relocating to Washington Heights. My kids are crazy about dogs.”
“Thank you,” Alex said. “For that, and for everything else.”
“You’re welcome. Congratulations on the reengagement. I’m thrilled for both of you.”
“I haven’t actually asked Emily yet,” Alex admitted. “I’ve been carrying the ring around for days, waiting for the right moment.”
“What?” Sheryn said. “Are you kidding, Alex? What are you doing here, talking to me? Go get your girl.”
She gave him a playful shove, nudging him in Emily’s direction. She leaned against the wall, folded her arms, and added, “I’ll be watching.”
Alex smiled at her, then headed along the hallway. “I think your partner wants to talk to you,” he told Rafael.
“What now?” Rafael groused as he trudged away.
“I still can’t believe it,” Emily said. “This doesn’t feel real. You did it, Alex—you changed his mind.”
“It wasn’t just me,” Alex answered. “I’ll tell you about it later.”
Emily leaned forward and kissed him, holding him tight.
“Sorry,” she murmured, resting her head on his shoulder. “My legs feel like jelly right now. You’ll have to prop me up.”
They stood like that in the busy hallway, acutely aware of the terrible storm that had been averted.
“Whether it’s because of everything that’s happened, or in spite of it, I love you more than ever,” Alex said quietly.
“I love you too,” Emily said. “This is probably the worst time to mention this, but do you know what I keep thinking about?”
Alex closed his eyes for a moment. It felt as if he and Emily had been to war and back together. They still had raw emotional wounds that were only just beginning to heal, but that was infinitely preferable to the wall of secrets and s
ilence that had built up between them in the past. He had been afraid she would leave him if she ever really knew him; that fear seemed so foolish now. They were in deep together, and there was no one he’d trust to have his back like Emily.
“Does it involve being barefoot on a beach?” Alex asked her. “Because that’s been on my mind too.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Writing a novel is a solitary adventure, but without the help of a crew of wonderful people, it wouldn’t be possible. I’m incredibly grateful to my agent, Mitch Hoffman, who was really more of a double agent since he also served as this book’s earliest editor. He also provided wisdom, enthusiasm, and friendship. I appreciate the support of the entire team at the Aaron M. Priest Literary Agency too.
A heartfelt thank-you to everyone on the Thomas & Mercer team for making the publication of this book such a joy. That’s especially true of my wonderful editor, Megha Parekh, and developmental editor, Charlotte Herscher, who both pushed me to see more possibilities in the story. I’m also grateful to editorial director Gracie Doyle and author relations manager Sarah Shaw for all of their support. Thank you to my copyeditor, Susan Stokes, for fixing my mistakes, and to Laura Sarasqueta and Stephanie Chou for reading and rereading the proofs. Thanks, too, to the exceptional marketing team, especially Gabrielle Guarnero, Kyla Pigoni, and Laura Constantino, for their dedication and help, and to publicity manager Dennelle Catlett for all of her work to promote this book. There are so many amazing people who worked behind the scenes to get this novel into your hands, including production manager Laura Barrett, cover designer Christopher Lin, and art director Oisin O’Malley. I know I’m missing a few names here, and I apologize for that. The truth is that working with everyone on the Amazon Publishing team has been a privilege and a pleasure.
My entire extended crime-fiction family deserves thanks, but there are a few people who deserve special shout-outs (in alphabetical order): Joe Clifford, Reed Farrel Coleman, Kim Fay, Greg Herren, Chris Holm and Kat Niidas Holm, Janet Hutchings, Jon and Ruth Jordan, Susan Elia MacNeal, Dan and Kate Malmon, Erica Ruth Neubauer, Brad Parks, Thomas Pluck, Todd Robinson, Alex Segura, Robin Spano, Steve Weddle, Sarah Weinman, and Holly West. I couldn’t imagine a greater group of shady characters, and I’m lucky to know each one of you.
There are so many friends I want to thank, especially Beth Russell Connelly, Stephanie Craig, Kathleen Dore, Leslie Elman, Ghen Laraya Long, Helen Lovekin, Ilana Rubel, and Trish Snyder. You guys know where the bodies are buried.
I’ve had so much support from librarians and booksellers, from book clubs and festival organizers, and from the dedicated readers who show up at conferences such as Bouchercon and Left Coast Crime. I’m so grateful for all of you.
Last, but certainly not least, I owe many thanks to my family, especially my parents, John and Sheila Davidson (that’s doubly true for my mom, who reads all of my books early and gives me feedback; my dad is forced to wait, since he can’t keep a secret). My aunts—Amy, Evelyn, and Irene—are the world’s best cheering squad. Most of all, thank you to my amazing husband, Daniel, for his eagerness to read my work, his endless encouragement, and his reluctant willingness to serve as a stunt double; I couldn’t do this without you!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo © 2018 Anna Ty Bergman
Hilary Davidson is the author of the Anthony Award–winning Lily Moore series—which includes The Damage Done, The Next One to Fall, and Evil in All Its Disguises—and the hard-boiled thriller Blood Always Tells. Her widely acclaimed short stories have won numerous awards and have been featured in Ellery Queen, Thuglit, and other dark places, as well as in her collection The Black Widow Club. A Toronto-born travel journalist who has lived in New York City since October 2001, Davidson is also the author of eighteen nonfiction books. Visit her online at www.HilaryDavidson.com.
Table of Contents
TITLE PAGE
COPYRIGHT
DEDICATION
CONTENTS
SUNDAY
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
MONDAY
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
TUESDAY
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
CHAPTER 29
CHAPTER 30
CHAPTER 31
CHAPTER 32
CHAPTER 33
CHAPTER 34
CHAPTER 35
WEDNESDAY
CHAPTER 36
CHAPTER 37
CHAPTER 38
CHAPTER 39
CHAPTER 40
CHAPTER 41
CHAPTER 42
CHAPTER 43
CHAPTER 44
CHAPTER 45
CHAPTER 46
CHAPTER 47
THURSDAY
CHAPTER 48
CHAPTER 49
CHAPTER 50
CHAPTER 51
CHAPTER 52
CHAPTER 53
FRIDAY
CHAPTER 54
WEDNESDAY
CHAPTER 55
CHAPTER 56
EPILOGUE
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
One Small Sacrifice Page 31