“He manned up,” I repeated.
Cy nodded, running a hand over the back of his neck, then his beard.
“He knew he was dying and did it for you.”
“What? Confessed to something he didn’t do? But why?” I asked.
“Because someone wanted him to take the fall,” Lucas added.
I still didn’t get it.
Lucas stared at Cy, who nodded.
“The money was wired into a special account from Mills Land Trust the day he walked into the station and admitted to the crime.”
I held up my hand, stared at Lucas. “That’s your family’s company.”
“Yeah,” he replied, slowly shaking his head. “Who didn’t hate your guts after what your father did?”
I thought of when we’d gone to Lucas’ sister’s house to help move. Mr. and Mrs. Mills should have hated Cy for his father’s actions, for falsely admitting to killing their daughter, but they hadn’t. Why?
“Holy shit. They paid Cy’s dad to do it. They knew he was dying. But why?” I asked.
Lucas looked to me. His jaw was clenched, his hands in fists at his sides. His usually calm pale eyes were a stormy sea. “The only reason that makes sense is that they fucking think I did it.”