High Noon Read Free

you’re sorry? By making it so she has to bury you, so she has to grieve? Are you punishing her?”
    â€œNo!” His face, his voice, registered shock at the idea. “It’s my fault. It’s all my fault.”
    â€œAll your fault? I never believe anything is all one person’s fault. But let’s fix it. Let’s find the way you can make it up to her.”
    â€œPhoebe, I owe almost five thousand gambling.”
    â€œFive thousand’s hard. It sounds like it scares you to owe that much. I understand what it is to have money problems hanging over your head. Do you want Lori to have to pay your debt?”
    â€œNo. If I’m dead, nobody pays.”
    â€œNobody? But she’s your wife. She’s your legal wife.” Phoebe doubted there was any legal liability, but she could see the idea of it strike Joe. “She could be responsible for your debts.”
    â€œGod. Oh God.”
    â€œI think I know how to help you with this, Joe. Joe? You know your boss is inside. He’s inside there because he’s worried about you.”
    â€œHe’s okay. Dunc’s a good guy. I screwed him. Stole from him. I don’t blame him for firing me.”
    â€œI hear you say that, and know you understand you’re responsible for your mistakes. You’re a responsible person, and you want to fix those mistakes. Dunc’s a good guy, you tell me, then I’m going to believe he understands that, too. I’ll talk to him for you if you want. I’m good at talking. If he’ll give you an extension on paying back the money, that would help, wouldn’t it?”
    â€œI…I don’t know.”
    â€œI’ll talk to him for you.”
    â€œHe’s a nice guy. I stole from him.”
    â€œYou were feeling desperate and scared, and you made a mistake. I sense you’re sorry for that.”
    â€œI am sorry.”
    â€œI’ll talk to him for you,” she repeated. “You need to give me the gun, and come back off the ledge. You don’t want to hurt Lori.”
    â€œI don’t, but—”
    â€œIf you could talk to Lori right now, what would you say?”
    â€œI…I guess that I don’t know how it got this far, and I’m sorry. I love her. I don’t want to lose her.”
    â€œIf you don’t want to lose her, if you love her, you have to give me the gun and come back off the ledge. Otherwise, Joe, all you’re leaving her with is grief and blame.”
    â€œIt’s not her fault.”
    Phoebe eased off the ledge, held out a hand. “You’re right, Joe. You’re absolutely right. Now, show her.”
    He stared at the gun, stared as Phoebe slowly reached out to take it. It was slippery with his sweat as she flipped on the safety, secured it in her belt. “Come on off the ledge, Joe.”
    â€œWhat’s going to happen?”
    â€œCome on off the ledge and I’ll explain it. I won’t lie to you.” Once again, she offered her hand. Shouldn’t, she knew. Negotiators could be pulled off by a jumper. But she kept her eyes on his, then clasped her fingers tight on his hand.
    When his feet touched the roof, he simply slid down to the floor to sob again. She went with him, draped her arm around him, and shook her head fiercely at the cops who came through the door.
    â€œIt’s going to be all right. Joe, you’re going to have to go with the police. You’re going to need to have an evaluation. But it’s going to be all right.”
    â€œI’m sorry.”
    â€œI know you are. Now you come on with me. Come on with me now.” She helped him up, took his weight as they walked to the door. “Let’s get you some clothes on. No cuffs,” she snapped. “Joe, one of the officers is going to go get you a shirt, some pants, shoes. Is that all right?” When he nodded, she gestured one of the officers toward the bedroom.
    â€œAm I going