City of the Lost (Rockton 1)

When I don't answer, he shifts his weight and shoves his hands in his pockets. "I'm not pushing you to be a jerk, Casey. I just think if you don't..."

"I'll regret losing the opportunity for closure. Diana is about to walk out of my life forever, and there are things I need to say."

"Yeah."

I rise. "Let's go."

SIXTY-SIX

Kenny has Diana at the station. We're taking her out that way rather than marching her through town. We haven't let the others know what she's done, but news has travelled, along with the opinion that she shouldn't be allowed to get on that plane and sail off scot-free.

We go into the station and Diana's there, with her back to us. Dalton takes Kenny out the back. I wait until the screen door shuts. Then I say, "I'd like to talk."

"Too late." Diana turns, and there's an ugly smile on her face. "You had time to talk to me, Casey. You didn't. You've lost your chance to apologize. I'm not giving you the chance to make amends now. I'm walking out of this shithole of a town and I'm going south, to a real life, the kind I could never have while you were hanging around my neck."

I open my mouth, but she's going strong.

"I'm going to track down that asshole Graham and get my money. I have a plan all worked out. The perfect

way to get him to do what I want." She gives that ugly smile again. "Because I've realized I'm kinda good at that, aren't I?"

She stands there, chin raised. After a moment she says, "Come on, Casey, hit me. You know you want to."

"No, I don't."

"How about you, sheriff?" she calls. "I know you're listening. Making sure I don't damage your broken little girl. Come on in and tell me what a bitch I am."

"Nah," he says as he strolls in. "A bitch has spine. You're just pathetic."

She launches herself at him, and before I can intercede, he's blocked her. She spins on me and says, "I saved you. Look at you. A new boyfriend. New friends. An actual social life. And you're a goddamned local hero. Solved the mystery. Saved the town. All hail Casey Duncan--whoops, Butler. Casey Duncan is a murderer. Casey Butler is a hero."

"Are you finished?" I ask, and that really does stop her. Into the silence, I say, "Yes, I'm better off for coming up here. It was exactly what I needed. But you didn't bring me here to help me. You brought me here to help you. To be here for you."

"Um, no. I brought you to stop you from searching for me."

"That was probably part of it, but if you're going to pretend that we weren't friends? Bullshit. You don't hang out with someone for years because they're useful. But slant this your own way, if it makes you feel better."

I turn to Dalton. "She's all yours."

I walk to the door as Val steps in and says, "Diana's still here? Good. There's been a change of plans."

We're at Val's listening to Phil on the satellite radio. I'm there with Dalton and Diana. Isabel is there, too--summoned by the council, though no one seems to know why.

"We've changed our mind," Phil says. "Diana is staying in Rockton."

I'm not sure who says "What?" first--or louder.

Phil continues, "It is the decision of this council that Diana Berry is clearly unstable and poses a serious exposure threat. She will remain in Rockton until that risk assessment changes. Isabel will assist in Diana's rehabilitation."

Isabel opens her mouth. Diana cuts her off with, "You can't make me stay. That's kidnapping. Unlawful confinement."

"No, it's not," Phil says. "Eric? The council wishes to officially inform you that Ms. Berry is exempt from all laws restricting personal freedom of movement."

"What the hell does that mean?" she snaps.

"That you're allowed to leave," Isabel says. "If you want to walk into that forest and find your way home, Eric is not allowed to stop you. So this isn't unlawful confinement."

"No way," Diana says. "No fucking way." She spins to me. "Casey, say something. Tell them they can't do this."