“I will. I promise him, I promise them all I will do it.”
“You think her case will stand up in court?” Landon asked him. Mitch said he thought so. “I do too. Steele is offering his attorneys up to represent her, so I don’t think she can lose this one. And to have her donate all the money she gets from the state and donations is going to go a long way to get help for everyone they affected in this.”
The foundation that Steele had had his firm set up had already hit its goal of five million. That was hit about ten minutes after the information had been put on the news with the foundation’s address. The money was going to go toward setting up a manned suicide hotline, as well as a scholarship fund for the high school. And the assistant principal had given not just Jerry’s diploma to his mother, but had presented her with his tassel and cap that the school usually gave to all their honor students. And any more money that was won in the suit was going to be added to it.
“Steele said that you and he have added to it as well. I think that’s great of you guys. I’m going to as well as soon as I get home.” Mitch told him that was nice of him, and Landon said nothing. “How are you liking the new home?”
“Great. It’s a big house. A lot bigger than I thought it was when she suggested I buy it. And I think she really gave me a deal.” Landon laughed. “Okay, she gave me one hell of a deal. One buck. That’s it, just a buck. She said I was doing her a favor by taking it because of Vinnie’s parents and all.”
“I guess she’s making the same offer to Drew as well. She wants to downsize and getting rid of a few homes to this family is a good way to start. Hugh said he’s fine where he is living in the big house.” Landon lay back and closed his eyes. Mitch knew he wasn’t sleeping. The man never turned off as far as he could see.
“I’d like to ask you a personal question.”
Mitch told him to go ahead. “But just so you know, I might not answer you. Or if I do, it’s going to be honest and no holding back.”
“Did they rape you?” Mitch looked around. He wasn’t sure who might hear him, and thought perhaps that was why Landon had come back to where he was and not asked him when they were all there. “The reason I ask is, you had an immediate and profound attachment to the kid. I know from the transcripts he was raped. So I wondered if it had happened to you.”
“Yes.” Landon nodded but didn’t look at him. He didn’t even open his eyes. Mitch waited for him to say something. Like, did you like it? Was it good for you? But he should have known better. Landon wasn’t that sort of man. None of them were.
“When I get my house finished in a few weeks, I’d like to have you and Vinnie over. To sort of help me break the house in. I know she doesn’t eat food, but you do, and I’d really enjoy having you over.” Mitch asked him if he could bring Alexandra. “Sure. I like the woman. She’s sort of...I guess you could call her old world. And I enjoy talking to her.”
Mitch wondered if he was ever going to say any more about his answer. But the longer they sat there talking, the more relaxed he became about not having to explain what had happened. When the plane landed about an hour later, Landon stood up and stretched, putting out his hand to shake. As soon as he took it, Landon started talking in low tones.
“When I was nine years old, my parents sent me to a boarding school. It was nice and I had a really big room. You see, I came from money. A great deal of it too. But my parents were distant, cold. So I acted out, stressed out about everything.” Mitch nodded, waiting for more. “Three months after I was sent there, I set fire to my very nice room. It caught quickly, much faster than I ever could have imagined. The building was coming down within an hour of me starting it.”
“How many?” Landon nodded but said nothing, still holding his hand. “You set a building on fire, and I’m assuming that someone was killed.”
“Two people. However, not from the fire but from trying to save the coke lab they had going in the adjacent building. In their haste, they set fire to their work area and killed themselves. That was the first time I had to deal with a ghost.” Mitch knew there was more, but the longer they stood there holding hands, the more worried Mitch got. Then when Landon spoke, he wanted to hug his friend. “Nothing in this world can bring them back. And even though I didn’t directly cause their deaths, I was as responsible for it as if I’d put a bullet in their heads. I’m telling you this because there is no amount of worrying over something that is going to make the problem go away. Money won’t solve it, nor will trying to reason with it. It is what it is most of the time, and just letting things ride, letting them work themselves out, is the best way to get it solved.”