They said it's voluntary, but my lawyer thinks I should cooperate. You should full cooperation. Give them everything you know about Kyle, about the trip, about the timeline. It's your only move. And then what?
After I testify and this is over, what happens to me? I leaned against the door frame considering you start over. Find a new job, probably out of state. Rebuild your reputation somewhere people don't know your story. Get your health sorted out.
Move on without you. Without me? I confirmed. That part's already decided. She nodded slowly, accepting it finally.
I keep thinking about what you said about being an easy mark. You're right. I wanted to feel important again. Call made me feel seen when you'd stopped noticing me. I noticed you, I said quietly.
I just didn't perform the way you wanted. I thought showing up, paying bills, maintaining stability was enough. Apparently, it wasn't. It should have been, she admitted. I know that now, but it's too late.
Yes, I agreed. It is. I left her there and went back to the main house. Stood at my window watching the news vans finally pull away as darkness fell. Tomorrow I give a brief statement through my attorney.
Professional, sympathetic, but firm. Yes, my wife had been involved. No, our marriage wouldn't survive it. Yes, I supported the CDC's investigation fully. Then I'd move on with my life the same way I'd been planning to since the moment I found those hotel receipts.
Angela could rebuild or she could collapse. Either way, it was no longer my problem. I'd done my part. Flagged the threat, protected public health, maintained my integrity. The rest was just paperwork.
4 months after Angela left, I attended a public health policy conference in Atlanta. The keynote was about international disease surveillance and the importance of early intervention. My name appeared in the program as a contributor to a case study on identifying exposure patterns before they become outbreaks. They didn't name Kyle Sheffield directly, but everyone in the room knew which case they meant. I sat through the presentation feeling vindicated.
My decision to report him hadn't just protected Angela and the other victims. It had prevented future exposures, shut down a predator who'd been operating for years. After the session, a woman approached me. Late 40s professional carrying herself with the careful dignity of someone who'd survived something terrible. Mr.
Harlo, she said, I'm Rebecca Torres. I was one of Kyle's victims. Costa Rica 5 years ago. I shook her hand. Emma mentioned you in her research.
I'm sorry for what you went through. Don't be sorry. Be proud. You stopped him. You did what none of us could do because we were too ashamed to report it.