“Oh shit.”
“Exactly. So Darwin created a phony mission and produced enough of Harry’s body to convince everyone you’d been killed.”
My heart sank.
I said, “And this was more than three years ago, and no one ever told Kathleen any different.”
Lou remained silent.
“And Kimberly and Addie—they watched my burial.”
“I’m sorry, Donovan,” Lou said.
Nadine moved to my side, placed a reassuring hand on my arm. She said, “As they explained it to me, it was the only way to protect Kathleen and Addie.”
“Not to mention Sensory Resources,” I said.
“That too,” Lou said.
I rolled it around in my head a few minutes, trying to find a way to make it work for me. Of course they had to kill me off . In their shoes, I’d have done the same. Okay, so I’d lost three years. No problem, I’d just have to come back from the dead. I could kill Tara’s friends before they knew I was alive, then break the good news to my loved ones. Nadine could be helpful with that part. I’d tell Kathleen and Kimberly everything, make a full confession. Then I’d retire. It could work, I reasoned. I could still salvage my relationship with Kathleen.
“How did I die?” I said.
“Excuse me?” Nadine said.
“Harry’s body wouldn’t have fooled the people that knew me well. They couldn’t say I had a heart attack.”
Lou sighed. “This sounds so much worse when I say it out loud,” he said.
I waited.
“Aw Christ, Donovan,” Lou said. “Harry got thrown off a highrise.”
No one spoke for a long time. We didn’t need to; Nadine’s expression said it all.
“On the bright side,” I said, “I look like a movie star.”
Nadine said, “You’re taking this awfully well. Are you sure you understand the complexity of the situation?”
“Pardon the pun, but I’m trying to put my best face forward.”
“He’s facing his fears,” Lou said, “putting on a brave face.”
“Well,” said Nadine, flashing a smile, “I think it’s time to face the facts.”
I returned the smile. “Good one,” I said. “For a shrink.”
“We can start with your new name,” she said.
That wiped the smile off my face. “My what?”
Chapter 44
“Conner Payne,” Lou said.
“A sissy name.”
“Blame Darwin,” he said. “Still, it’s better than the last one he gave you.”
“Cosmo Burlap?”
Lou chuckled.
Nadine said, “This just occurred to me, but what about all your bank accounts, investments, legal papers, and so
