Not yet. But I know my sister, and I know when something's been staged. Grant's smile falters just barely. That's a big accusation. It's not an accusation, Addie says.
It's a warning. She looks at each of the five young men in turn one more time. Then she says the words that will echo through this town for years. Drop my sister or get five coffins ready. Nobody laughs this time.
For one full moment, nobody in the diner moves. Sheriff Larkin clears his throat uncomfortable. Deputy, that's a serious thing to say. It's meant to be, Addie says, not backing down an inch. Grant stands up from the booth trying to reclaim the room.
Are you threatening us in front of a sheriff? I don't make threats, Addie says calmly. I make promises I intend to keep. And that promise has five names attached to it right now. Frank Doyle finally speaks, rising slowly from his stool.
Deputy Mallister, he says carefully. Did you say Mallister? Addie turns to him, something flickering behind her composed expression. "That's right. " Frank's face goes pale like he's seeing a ghost standing in front of him.
"What was your father's name? " he asks quietly. If you don't mind me asking. The whole diner watches this exchange now the earlier drama forgotten for a moment. Walter Mallister.
Why? Frank sits back down, hand pressed to his chest like the air left him. I served under your father, he says. For almost 15 years, Josie, still standing by the door in cuffs, goes very still. You knew our dad?
She asks, voice smaller than anyone's heard it yet. I did, Frank says. I knew him well. Too well, maybe. Larkin looks between all of them, clearly out of his depth now.
I think, he says slowly. We need to slow this whole thing down. Agreed, Daddy says, starting with taking those cuffs off my sister. Larkin, uncertain but not unreasonable, removes the cuffs a few minutes later. He agrees to hold off on formal charges until he reviews the evidence.
Grant protests loudly, but even he can sense the room shifting under him. "This is ridiculous, " he mutters, grabbing his jacket. "Let's go, guys. " His friends follow, though Ryan lingers a half second longer than the rest. His eyes meet Josie's for just a moment before he turns away.
Something passes between them. Neither says anything about it. Not yet. Once the five of them clear out, the diner exhales as one. Rosie hurries over, hands shaking.
Josie, I am so sorry. I never wanted. I know, Josie says gently. You didn't have a choice. I always have a choice, Rosie says.