CHAPTER 87
CHAPTER
RHETT TEMPLE PACED BACK AND forth in the small room, anxiously checking his watch and looking at the door.
When it opened he halted his pacing and glanced over.
Walter Nash came in, and the men sat down in the two chairs that constituted the only furniture in the room.
“Well, I’m glad that’s over, and we made it through,” said Temple.
“It’s never really going to be over,” noted Nash.
“No, I guess not,” said Temple dully.
Nash eyed the spot on Temple’s face where he’d kicked him. “All healed up?”
“Yeah.”
“Had to make it look real.”
“Right, I know. Hope I didn’t hit you too hard with the knife to the gut.”
“Your performance was Oscar-worthy, Rhett. And the knife hilt having real blood to eject onto me? Definitely sold the image of me breathing my last. And you using the maneuver Shock taught us both to cut the aorta? A classic touch.”
“The FBI provided the knife. And a video on how to use it. But I have to hand it to Steers. It played out just like she said. Talk about outmaneuvering a chess champ. It was the greatest battle of wits I’ve ever seen because Lord knew a lot more than I thought he did.
But she must have already figured that in. And that is. . .well, special.”
“She’s a formidable person. Both by design and necessity.”
Temple looked down at his hands. “Full confession, Walt, I. . .I forced Mindy to go along with what happened to my dad. She’s not to blame.
It was all me. But he just made me so mad.
I wanted his help to save Maggie’s life.
To talk to Steers and get her back safely, but he just. .
.didn’t give a shit. That’s when I just lost it and attacked him.
And then? I did what I did because I didn’t see another way out. ”
“What happened to your father wasn’t right, Rhett. Although I appreciate you trying to help Maggie, I really do. But Barton made choices in life, and he got you into all this. And he contributed to the deaths of many people. I, for one, do not lament his passing.”
Temple slowly nodded. “Yeah, good old Dad.” He shook his head and said, “So what happened to Thura?”
“He thankfully recovered from his injuries and is living in France, in high style due to Steers.”
“Does he know that you’re alive?”
“No. It’s better that way. For him. He’s suffered enough.”
“So. . .what happens to me?”
Nash sat back and studied him. “None of this would have worked without your doing what you did.”
“But I still have to pay the piper, right?”
“There’s nothing I can do about that. But you can afford the best lawyers.”
“Right, yeah.” Temple added a hollow chuckle to these words.
“And I’ve talked to the feds, Rhett. Based on all you did and the risks you took and how you were forced into the business in the first place, there is a definite inclination from them to go light on you. I think you’ll have a lot of decades left to enjoy.”
“Seriously?” said Temple, looking both surprised and hopeful.
“Yes. But you have to own the mistakes of your past, Rhett. Only you don’t have to let those mistakes dictate your future.
It’s really up to you. But I wish you only the best. I mean that.
I know we never saw eye to eye on a lot and with what happened with Judith.
” He paused and gathered himself. “I think you have it in you to redeem yourself. But only you can make that decision. I would just suggest that you choose to be the Rhett Temple who loves his sister Angie and wants to do right by her, more than the guy who wants to strut around with his billions. And you have a daughter, who deserves to have a father who loves her.”
The men rose and shook hands. Then Temple wrapped his arms around Nash and held him tightly even as he wept, his body shuddering against Nash’s.
When Temple stepped back and rubbed his face dry, Nash said, “Take care, Rhett. And do some good with all that you have.”
Then Nash walked out.