Chapter 70
“It only took you three days to figure out a place and time.” Lainie teased Ben as he appeared at the door to pick her up for their much-delayed dinner date.
“We federal agents are a little slow sometimes.” He led her to his newly purchased vehicle.
“New truck, no car?” Lainie admired the shiny red four-door Ford Ranger.
“I felt like I needed a change. Something a little beefier. Too ostentatious?”
She laughed. “It’s beautiful.”
Lainie sat and he closed the door, then walked around to the other side.
“This is nice, good choice.”
“Glad you approve. We’re having dinner at Parkers’ Lighthouse. You okay with that?”
Lainie smiled. “Another great choice.”
They chatted about their physical condition; both were healing.
“I hope to be back to work in a few more days,” Lainie told him. “Mostly, I feel relieved and a little vindicated now that Dallas Vine is behind bars.”
“Everyone is amazed at how spot-on your theory was. I’m very glad Avery West came clean.”
“I am too. When I got the chance to talk to him, he told me that the load just got too heavy.”
“The load?”
“Yes. The load of anger and bitterness he’d carried over the years. Once he told the truth and trusted the police, he said it made him feel ten years younger. I get it. Anger, bitterness, unforgiveness—they weigh a ton.”
“Sounds like you’ve done some letting go as well.”
“It’s a process, but yes, I forgive Stan. He’s working with investigators to put as many nails in Vine’s and Benton’s coffins as they can. He’ll still see jail time, but I’ve seen a change in him, real change.”
“I hope that goes for Callen West as well. It’s sad to think that Avery’s bitterness over the years so infected that kid. I hope that Avery finally telling the truth will turn things around for him. Accepting the truth could change his whole life.”
Ben pulled into the parking lot of Parkers’ Lighthouse. It was a beautiful, clear night, the lights of the Queen Mary shining in the distance.
As they walked to the restaurant, Ben took Lainie’s hand.
“Speaking of changed lives, Lainie. How do you feel about dating a federal agent?”
She squeezed his hand. “I like the idea. There should be more cooperation between agencies.”
“Agree.”