"Dalton Carter, are you spying on our son?" Joyce Carter, Dalton's wife, was standing behind him, tapping a red Christian Louboutin heel against the marble floor of their study.

"Dammit, woman! I've told you before. Don't sneak up on me!" Dalton tucked his cell phone away but it was too late. Joyce Carter was on to him.

"I visited Maggie," Joyce admitted. "If only she'd tell everyone what really happened that night, Alex wouldn't feel the need to search for the truth. How can she not care what he's going through?"

"You know his personality. He's always been an inquisitive and stubborn child. He'd want to know the truth no matter what."

"Like someone else I know," Joyce said, referring to her husband.

"Lionel and I were always stubborn. You and I have done everything to give him a decent upbringing. We've taught him right from wrong. And yet--"

"And yet, what? Dalton, don't tell me you're worried that Alex will do something wrong."

"I've told you before that I worry about the dark streak Lionel had," Dalton said.

"Yes, but things like that aren't hereditary. Lionel was always getting into trouble. He was always troubled."

"But why? He had the same privileges as I did growing up. What was the difference? Why was he a sociopath who tried to hurt anyone that got too close to him? He was narcissistic and vindictive. When I think of what he did to that poor girl."

"You don't know if he killed her," Joyce reminded him. "There was no murder weapon. All we know is that Maggie Caldwell was alive with two dead bodies. Her daughter Crystal and her lover Lionel. Most of it was hushed up by the time our lawyers were through with the police department."

"She's never been able to talk about that night. The police assumed she killed Lionel for killing Crystal but there was never any proof. She's been mute with the shock of it all." Dalton sighed, running a hand over his tired face.

"I don't know if I should tell you this but when I visited her at Crest Ridge. She talked to me."

"She hasn't talked in years! What did she say?" Dalton leaned forward in curiosity.

"She said that Alex had evil in him," Joyce muttered.

Dalton laughed. "She really is crazy."

"Stop laughing, Dalton. I think she really believes it. Maybe after what she went through with Lionel, she really does believe that Alex is evil."

"Well, I won't stand for it. For all we know, she murdered her daughter and my brother."

"Dalton--"

"No! I won't put up with her speaking or even thinking our Alex is evil. He's a good man and we raised him well. I'd punish anyone who crossed my boy." His eyes narrowed as he hatched a plan.

Joyce nodded, wondering what her unpredictable husband would do next.

"Was that a confession?" Sheriff Don leaned in, an eyebrow raised at Abby.

"Of course not," Alex scoffed.

Abby's stomach curled in revulsion as she took in Sheriff Don's accusing eyes, his overbearing stance, and the large fists he placed on his hips. For a moment, he reminded her of Bryce, and something hot boiled in her chest.

"Don't you see, Alex? If I murdered one man, then surely I must've murdered those two reporters. Are there any other unsolved murders in the area? How about we add them to the list of my victims?" Abby asked. "Then it won't be so obvious to everyone how inept the sheriff is in this town."

Her sarcasm wasn't lost on anyone. Don's lip curled up in revulsion but Abby continued. "Sheriff Don, I was beaten by my ex-boyfriend but I should've just stuck it out, right? Through the good times and the bad, you should always stick with the person you love. Let them get away with anything? Is that why you never left your wife even though she was cheating on you with Lionel Carter?"

Sheriff Don hissed in anger.

"Abby," Alex whispered, tightening his hold on her shoulders. "What are you doing?"

"You wanted me to be more outspoken didn't you?" Abby didn't bother facing Alex. Her eyes were on Sheriff Don's reddened face, "You want to throw my past in my face? Don't for a moment think I won't return the favor. You can't control the person you love. You can either leave them or accept the strings that come with loving a flawed person. I never intended to kill Bryce. Hell, I don't even remember what happened that night but I'll be damned if I let someone like you-- someone who doesn't even know me, try to belittle me. You ever wake up in a puddle of blood, Sheriff? Have you ever had to call 911 feeling deep in your gut that you did something wrong? Something unforgivable? Who am I kidding? You're not even brave enough to face what happened that night with your wife years ago, are you?"

"You better watch your words there," Sheriff Don warned her.

"Or what? Haven't you figured me out yet? I have nothing to lose."

"Abby," Alex whispered, kissing her temple.

Abby shrugged out of Alex's touch and stormed past Sheriff Don. When she was outside she took a deep breath, inhaling what felt like her old self. Exhaling her past fears. She had stood up to Sheriff Don and besides hemming and hawing, there was nothing he could do about it. A burst of joy escaped her mouth.

"Are you laughing right now? You just pissed off the sheriff," Alex reminded her, stepping in line with her.

"So?" Abby shrugged.

"Wow, I wanted you to stop apologizing and acting like a doormat all the time but what happened? You're like a totally different person."

"With Sheriff Don practically painting a red M on my forehead for 'murderer,' I realized something."

"What?"

"I don't owe him anything. I don't owe him an explanation of what happened. It's between me and Bryce and God. He has no right to judge me and neither does anyone else. All this time I've been punishing myself because of Bryce. Yes, I killed a man...but honestly, he deserved to die."

"Abby--"

"No, you need to understand where I'm coming from. Especially after what happened between us. I never wanted to murder Bryce but he was...he was a bad man. Even now, I don't understand why I thought I loved him. I've been so guilty all this time and what has it gotten me? My family doesn't speak to me. I haven't had a job in forever. Even random strangers that have discovered my past are quick to judge me. You probably read the police report before hiring me. He was beating me and I must've lost it. It was self-defense and even though I'm not proud of it, I'm grateful it happened. Otherwise, I'd be dead. I'm not going to keep punishing myself because of what happened. I won't. I can't. Do you think I'm wrong?"

"Of course not!" Alex hugged her. "You can't keep poking at a tiger expecting it not to react."

Abby leaned back."Did you just compare me to a tiger?"

"Well, you sure as hell sounded like one back there."

Abby grinned. "So now what? I'm not so sure Wally's going to want us at his house now that he knows I'm a murderer."

"Stop calling yourself that."

"Then what should I call myself?" Abby sighed.

"A survivor."

"He's right," Wally said softly beside them, causing the couple to jump. "I understand how a woman could do something desperate when it comes to the man she loves. Please, stay with me until you figure things out."

"No! Dammit Wally, how could you? Zachary will be so disappointed," Don shouted from the doorway.

"Zachary...or you?" Wally asked.

"Fine, do what you want! I won't give a damn just be sure you're out of here within the hour," Sheriff Don snarled.

Later, while they were in Wally's small home sitting around a table of baked chicken. Abby's mouth watered as the smell of mashed potatoes filled the air.

"You're really being kind by letting us stay here," Alex said.

"I'm not going to lie...I have selfish reasons," Wally admitted. "I've been wanting to get closer to you."

Abby and Alex exchanged a worried glance.

"Is that so?" Alex feigned indifference.

"Yes. You see...you probably don't know this but I'm adopted. My mother was Evelyn Caldwell."

Abby gasped. "Is that any relation to--"

"Right, I'm Sheriff Don's nephew. Evelyn was his sister. She took her own life after I was born and I was given up for adoption but the Caldwells have always kept an eye on me. They never admitted I was their nephew in an official way but they've always been part of my life."

"That must've taken a lot to stand up to your uncle on our behalf," Abby said quietly. "You're too nice, Wally."

"It's not just because I'm nice. Evelyn was my mother but my father...my father was Lionel Carter."

"What?" Alex dropped his fork.

"That's why Sheriff Don hates you so much. You're related to Lionel. Even if you're just his nephew, that enough for him to hate you."

"That means..." Abby couldn't finish her sentence as she glanced between Alex and Wally.

"We're cousins." Wally smiled.

"No." Alex wiped his mouth with a napkin and stood up. "This is absurd."

"I'm sorry I'm not what you were expecting but it's true. I even have the birth certificate." Wally stood up as well. "I can go find it if you like."

Abby frowned. Poor Wally. He looked as though he were scared Alex would reject him.

"It's not that," Alex muttered.

"Then what is it? I'm not after your fortune or anything. I just...I just thought it would be nice to have a cousin."

"I said it's not that!" Alex repeated.

"Then what is it?"

Alex took a deep breath, weighing his options. "Remember your confidentiality clause?"

"Yes."

"It's still in effect," Alex told Wally.

"O-Okay." Wally looked dejected. "I guess I should've thought this through before making the announcement. I was just so excited. We're cousins!"

"No, we aren't," Alex corrected him.

"Yes, we are." Wally hurried to a nearby drawer where he pulled out a manila envelope. "Before she passed away and I was adopted, a paternity test was done. Evelyn is my mother and Lionel is my father. Apparently, Sheriff Don helped her with the paternity test."

"No, we're not! We're not cousins because if Lionel Carter was your father, then that means I'm-I'm--" Alex was having trouble speaking.

"I get it. I'm too much of a stranger for you to accept me as your cousin."

"Lionel Carter was your father so I'm not your cousin Wally. What I'm trying to say is that I'm your brother."