“And all along you knew she was alive in Pine Ridge,” I said.

“I knew Frank had brought you home and needed a fresh start,” Gene said.

“I paid four hundred dollars to a deputy clerk who needed cash for his divorce.

I thought I was looking out for my brother and saving his business.”

“You profited from wiping out her life,” I said.

“Every dollar of that thirty thousand went into the business that fed you and put clothes on your back,” Gene said, lowering his voice so the two court officers walking past wouldn’t hear.

“Frank was my brother.