Minute for What (conclusion)

Sally waited in the car, his angel, and soon, if things went as expected, his executioner.

For five minutes they drove without speaking. Water splashed under the wheels. It was half past one and she took Princes Street, beyond it glowering in yellow light Edinburgh Castle.

"How did he get it, that kid? Pop gave me that gun when I went into the service, the only thing I had to remember him by, and now it's locked up as evidence. Wonderful."

"Sally, I know how you must feel..."

"Forget it," she said, turning the car. The rear wheel bumped over the curb and they were both jostled in the cab until it righted. "Don't mind me, Rob, it was a long day. I'm just glad you're okay."

"I'm fine."

She had stopped off at the bank after leaving her office that afternoon, to confirm that the deposit went through. It made her late, she explained, or else she would have caught him before he left the house for groceries.

"What deposit?"

"The one we talked about this morning." She steered down the narrow lane. "During breakfast?"

"Guess I forgot," he said lamely.

Sally parked and was getting out when she stopped. "It just hit me," she said. "We still need the groceries. The cops didn't recover them, did they?"

"No," he said. "I can do it tomorrow."

"Right. Nothing's open, anyway."

The house was quiet without Dylan's hat and beard to decorate it. Rob was unexpectedly wistful. A different ghost inhabited the place now and he would have to come to terms with it.

From the bathroom, as she got ready for bed, Sally said, "Bad habits will be the end of you, Rob. You had to get thrown in Saughton like you used to, and for what, to help a kid down on his luck."

He sat on the bed in his boxers. "This was different..."

"I thought Luna changed all that."

"It did."

"You forgot?" She slipped under the covers and stroked his back, compassionate laughter lightening her voice. "It's not the end of the world, you'll get back on your feet. For now you count on me, your doting bride."

He joined her and held Sally against him. "My beautiful bride."

She was quickly asleep but he lay with head heavy on the pillow. Everyone, even his wife, believed the lie of what had happened tonight. Only a total stranger who had sacrificed his freedom knew the truth. It was the kid's choice, wasn't it? Rob just had to get over it. Life was good when people believed the best about you, true or not.

He woke later from a strange dream and shook Sally awake and told her everything.