Out of the Ashes

by Anne Galbraith

  Billy’s face was slack, his eyes closed. The gun skittered across the floor, out of Billy’s grasp.

  Lanford swung his gaze back to Ri. The boy had raised the gun, holding it up toward Lanford. It trembled in his hands, but the boy was panicked. He could pull the trigger reflexively, and it was aimed right at Lanford’s head.

  Lanford was confident that Sarah, squirming on the floor, would make sure Billy didn’t get his hands on the loose gun. But right now, his son was scared, ready to do anything.

  Lanford couldn’t let him pull the trigger. Couldn’t let the boy find himself a murderer, not at seventeen.

  Lanford had been there, and he wanted to save his son.

  “Riordan, don’t do this. Billy was wrong. This is wrong. There’s no way you can get away with this.”

  Lanford heard sounds, knew Sarah was trying to get the gun from the floor. She couldn’t stop Ri, though. Lanford wasn’t sure anything would get through to him, not while he stood there, pupils blown wide, shocked and panicked.

  “Riordan, I messed up my life when I was seventeen. I did a lot of things I regret and hurt a lot of people. It ended up costing me my family.

  “I can tell you, it’s a horrible thing to live, knowing you did something like that. It shadows the rest of your life and makes it worse. You don’t want to do what I did.”

  The gun was still shaking, but Ri’s knuckles were white. Lanford wasn’t sure he could reach him.

  He could accept that. But he didn’t want his son to suffer.

  “I don’t think you should do this, but if you do, know that I forgive you. I can’t imagine what all has happened to you, but you’re my son, and I don’t want to put a burden on you. God forgave me for the things I did, and He’ll forgive you, too.”

  Lanford closed his eyes. He didn’t want to see the moment that his son decided to pull the trigger. He prayed for Ri, and for Sarah, and waited for the end.

  And waited. Then he heard a loud crash. He opened his eyes. The gun was on the ground in front of Ri. The boy’s face crumpled as he started to cry.

  Lanford didn’t remember moving, but he found his arms wrapped around his son, holding the shaking figure.

  “It’s okay.” He felt the tremors racking the boy’s body. “It’s okay. We’ll fix everything. It’s gonna be okay.”

  “Lanford?”

  Sarah was on the ground beside him, arms still cuffed behind her.

  “I’m relieved that things worked out, more than I can say, but if you could get me loose before Billy comes to...”

  Chapter Twenty

  It took a long time to get the paperwork done.

  Sarah had called in the state police. After Lanford had released her, she’d used the cuffs to restrain Billy and dumped him in her holding cell until he came to. When he woke up, it was clear he’d tipped over the border from crazed but functional to deluded, raining down threats on her and Lanford and his wife and Riordan.

  She’d shut the door.

  Ri had pulled away from Lanford, once his emotions had calmed down. He was embarrassed by his breakdown, mortified that he’d called his father after overhearing their discussion with his mother and horrified at what Billy had tried to do.

  Sarah had given him a soda from the fridge and let him settle on a chair in the corner.

  Lanford was also in a state of shock, so she’d pressed a soda into his hand, as well. He’d opened his mouth to speak, but Sarah had stopped him.

  “I have to be able to say that we haven’t discussed this. We haven’t collaborated on our stories.”

  Lanford had watched her for a moment, then nodded. He took a chair next to Ri, not speaking, but being close in case he was needed.

  Sarah called Allison. It was a relief to hear that Billy hadn’t spoken to her. He must have met Riordan somewhere and come straight to Balsam Grove.

  Then the state troopers arrived, and the familiar, tedious process began.

  It could have been much worse. Sarah was a cop, and that gave her the presumption of truth with the other officers. She appreciated that privilege.

  Allison arrived and sat in on the interrogations with her son. Sarah was careful to inform the other law officers that Lanford, while an ex-con, had been sentenced for a crime Billy had just admitted to.

  It wasn’t a lot to throw against the clout Billy carried as a wealthy member of society, but Billy had lost his calm, and was now vacillating between screaming out all the repercussions he’d rain down on the police officers holding and interrogating him and bragging about how clever he was and that they’d never prove anything against him.

  Lawyers arrived for Billy and Riordan. Pastor Harold came to support Lanford, and at some point, they must have been allowed to leave, because when Sarah looked up, they were gone.

  Sarah wasn’t sure if Lanford had left without speaking to her to be diplomatic, or because she’d told him they shouldn’t talk, or if the tenuous connection they’d experienced couldn’t withstand what had just happened.

  She didn’t have the luxury of choice. She had to focus on making sure the truth came out.

  It was very late when she finally escaped to her own home. Her station was still full of cops, all working to gather evidence, organize information and file their reports.

  They told her they’d let her know when she could return to work. There was no indication that she was in any trouble; she’d never drawn her gun, and it was obvious that the one act of violence she’d committed, kicking Billy, had been in self-defense.

  It was incredible that after all that Billy had planned, the only violence had come from a trip over a dog and a kick from her sandaled foot.

  She slept late the next day, exhausted physically and mentally.

  She’d turned off all the notifications on her phone, and left it charging on her bedside table, not yet ready to face what had happened. Her head was groggy from the unfamiliar sleep pattern, and she took her cup of coffee out to her tiny deck to wake her brain cells.

  “Lots of excitement last night!”

  Arthur’s head popped over the fence, his own excitement visible in his expression.

  The grapevine had obviously been going full throttle.

  “It was something, all right.” Sarah was careful not to confirm anything until she was notified she could do so safely.

  “I feel bad that I never questioned whether Lanford had set that fire.” Arthur was shaking his head.

  Sarah wondered where his information had come from. She’d only spoken to the cops, and it was hard to imagine Lanford spilling his guts, or even Pastor Harold.

  She’d heard about small-town gossip, but this was more than she would have imagined.

  “I can’t say anything until the investigation is complete.”

  Arthur’s bushy eyebrows rose.

  “It’s online. Everyone knows.”

  Sarah was shocked. Arthur chuckled.

  “Maybe you want to go see what’s out there. But, good work, Sheriff. You’ve changed Lanford’s life.”

  Sarah promptly returned to the house, reaching for her phone.

  Several articles had already been published, and they had more information than she did. She supposed, as a witness, she’d been kept out of the loop, and it didn’t feel good.

  The journalists didn’t reveal their sources, but Sarah suspected Allison.

  Billy had been submitted for a psych evaluation. He’d bragged of what he’d done, both the fire and his parents’ car accident.

  Lanford was mentioned. They reported that he’d been sentenced for the deaths in the arson case, and recently been released.

  They described Sarah as the key investigator on this cold case.

  Then she finally faced the missed notifications on her phone.

  Calls to the station had been forwarded to her c
ell phone and her voice mail was full. Texts were coming in from old friends and colleagues and media outlets.

  The story had caught the attention of the public, and Sarah could see that it was going to take a while to settle down.

  She wondered how Lanford was dealing with things, and if the media had located him at the parsonage.

  If he needed her, how would she know? He didn’t even have a phone, and she didn’t dare go to him.

  She swallowed.

  Sarah desperately wanted to see Lanford, but she was afraid to compromise the case. Their relationship, such as it was, was so new. If this went to trial, their romantic connection could be used in Billy’s defense. Lanford deserved to be exonerated. He deserved a second chance at a good life. She would have to be patient.

  And pray. Somehow, that occurred to her as a last resort, but she knew it was her best choice.

  And she needed the time to consider her own future. Would this look like she was siding with criminals? Or would it be seen as good detective work by her peers?

  She’d come to this town to evaluate her priorities. This case with Lanford had strengthened her belief that her values had been correct all along.

  That might mean she couldn’t return to her job in Pittsburgh. She didn’t know if her father would understand.

  Just like with her relationship with Lanford, she’d have to pray and trust God would show her the right path.

  If God was behind this thing between her and Lanford, it would last. And the rest would work out. Maybe not the way she’d thought or planned, but she would trust it would all be right.

  * * *

  A week later, things were finally settling down.

  The media circus had quieted, distracted by a political scandal. Sarah had her station to herself. Everyone in town had talked to her about the case, and she had finally gone for coffee without getting the third degree.

  She’d also heard from Ron Harding’s wife. He was in a home, suffering from dementia.

  Sarah would never find out if Festus had any skills.

  She still hadn’t seen Lanford. She didn’t know what he’d been told or how he was feeling about all the changes that had happened. She’d decided to give him some time.

  But now Sarah was tired of waiting. She’d heard from the state police that Lanford would be exonerated. But she needed to know how he felt about her. She was going to find him.

  She swung by the church, but there was no tall figure working on the grounds. She parked and walked into the building, searching for Lanford. She found Pastor Harold.

  “Sheriff! Lots of excitement around town. I’m so happy no one was hurt or killed. I’ve been praying for that unfortunate man, Billy Robertson. I cannot understand how a person could be convinced to do something so...heinous.”

  Sarah hadn’t been praying much for Billy but acknowledged she probably should have.

  “How is Lanford? Is he around?”

  Pastor Harold sighed. “I’ve been praying for him, as well. It’s a lot to handle, and he’s done well. I feared he would succumb to anger, but he has a very balanced view. We’ve chatted. There were some media types around the church, so he was working inside, rather than out. He mowed the lawns first thing in the morning to avoid the press.”

  “Is he here?”

  Pastor Harold shook his head.

  “He went out for a walk. I can tell him you’re looking for him. He should buy a phone. Perhaps now... Well, I’ve heard there was a fund, raising money for him. He hasn’t wanted to touch it yet, but there’s time for him to figure out what he wants to do with himself.”

  Sarah thanked Pastor Harold and returned to her car.

  She’d spent the previous day at the station getting caught up on what she’d missed while the case was being settled. Fortunately, the excitement, and perhaps the presence of so many police officers had kept the local rule breakers quiet.

  She’d had a phone call, from the department in Pittsburgh. It had been a surprise, but a pleasant one. She had an option for her future, as far as her career went.

  But she wanted to talk to Lanford before she made any decisions.

  She pulled the car into gear and drove out to the U-Stor. It was the only place she could imagine where Lanford might be.

  He was.

  * * *

  Lanford was standing, hands in his pockets, staring at the storage facility that Billy had built on his family’s land. According to Allison, Billy had wanted to remove all traces of Lanford and his family. Allison thought he’d been afraid he’d left some kind of clue behind, as well.

  The results were the same.

  There was a new sign up, indicating that there were some legal issues, and a phone number to call for information. The place was closed. Since Lanford hadn’t lit the fire, the place should be his. It was a legal fiasco. A lawyer for the wrongfully convicted had reached out to him, and he was grateful for the help.

  He heard a car drive up behind him.

  This place hadn’t been busy before. He didn’t expect anyone to be here this morning looking to put their extra possessions in a locker, even if things were normal.

  He heard a door open, and footsteps. Then another door and the scrabble of paws.

  It was Sarah. He sent up a quick prayer. He wasn’t sure what was going to happen to his life now. He hoped Sarah was a part of it.

  He’d given her space to do her job. He didn’t want to pressure her. He especially didn’t want to hear her say their kisses had been a mistake, so he’d been content to wait.

  He’d learned patience in prison.

  Festus came and sat at his feet. He felt a smile lift his mouth. Festus had grown on him, especially after his help with Billy. Perhaps he’d grown on Festus, as well.

  He felt Sarah’s presence when she walked to stand beside him. If he looked at her, what expression would he find on her face? Could he bear it if it was discomfort?

  “I hear they’re processing a pardon for you.”

  He nodded. Her voice was noncommittal, not revealing anything.

  “It will take time, but this place will come to you. Have you made any plans for it?”

  He shook his head. “It’s not my home now. Even if nothing had been built here, with Dad and Dan gone, it wouldn’t be my home.”

  He didn’t want or need this place. It had good and bad memories, but it wasn’t part of his life now. Now that he’d found justice, found the truth of what had happened that night, it was a load lifted from his shoulders.

  “What about Riordan and Allison?”

  He drew in a breath.

  “We’re going to counseling, the three of us. Work some things out. Allison still has some legal issues, but she’s living at their home with Riordan. He and I are going to spend some time together. See how to be family.”

  “That’s good, right?”

  He nodded. “It is. I want to share my family with him. All I have is words, though.” He wanted to tell Ri about Dan and his dad. Thanks to the fire, though, he had nothing but memories.

  “Actually, you might have more than that. My neighbor told me he’s reached out to an old friend of his who used to work on the local paper. Arthur, like a lot of people in town, feels badly about misjudging you. They’re going to see if there are any photos of Dan or your parents that they can dig up in the old newspaper files.”

  It was more than he could have asked for. This, right now, all that had happened, was more than he’d imagined when he arrived in Balsam Grove.

  He was free. Much more than he had been when the prison doors had opened to let him walk out.

  “‘The truth shall make you free.’” He quoted the verse and felt the meaning of it more directly than he ever had before.

  “Are you free now, Lanford?”

  There was hesitation in Sarah’s voice.
He turned to her.

  Her features were still, but her eyes asked questions. Not just if he was free, but more. How he was, and what he thought, now that it was all over.

  “I am. Free. And I don’t really know what to do with myself.”

  He’d had a mission, after he finished his sentence. That mission was complete. He hadn’t made plans after that.

  She nodded. “You’ll have money coming, eventually. Without a prison record, there will be a lot of opportunities out there for you.”

  “I think, for now, I’m going to keep on as I am. Pastor Harold says I can stay at the church. There’s a lot of stuff I need to consider before I make a decision.”

  “That sounds like a wise plan. Is there anything I can do to help?”

  Lanford felt his pulse pick up. He understood what she was asking. It wasn’t about his job, but about the two of them. If there was going to be a two of them.

  He needed to be brave, and relationships weren’t something he had a lot of experience with. But more important than what he decided, or where he ended up now, was knowing who he would end up with.

  “You could tell me if I can make plans with you.”

  His cheeks heated. It was easier to face the people in town who’d believed him an arsonist and murderer than it was to meet Sarah’s gaze right now.

  “Do you want to?”

  Sarah looked as uncomfortable as he was. He held her gaze, though, and nodded.

  A smile broke across her face, and he felt lighter. “I do, too.”

  He took a long breath. “Well, you’re here, in Balsam Grove, for the next while, right?”

  Sarah nodded.

  “I’m sure I can stay at the church for the same length of time.”

  Sarah tilted her head. “I got a phone call from the department in Pittsburgh.”

  He focused on her expression. It was hesitant, but not fearful, and not upset.

  “Good news? They want you to return?”

  She nodded. “But not in the same capacity.”

  He waited. Knowing that they were making plans together was enough to keep a buoyant feeling of happiness inside, something he hadn’t experienced for years. Decades.