Chapter 9 — Sophie Apologizes to Ethan
On Monday afternoon, Sophie went to Ethan’s house.
She carried the black access card inside an envelope.
Ethan opened the door.
“Why are you bringing evidence to my house?”
Sophie rolled her eyes.
“Dad made me return it to his office after this.”
“Probably smart.”
She held the envelope awkwardly.
“Can I talk to you?”
Ethan stepped outside.
Sophie began:
“I’m sorry.”
Ethan waited.
“I put the card beside the sink because I heard Dad asking Marcus about the guesthouse access logs.”
She knew the card could connect the entries to her.
She panicked.
She thought hiding it somewhere downstairs would buy time.
“Did you know I was in the kitchen?” Ethan asked.
Sophie hesitated.
“I knew you were helping clean.”
His expression changed.
“So you knew I might find it.”
“Yes.”
“But you did it anyway.”
“Yes.”
Sophie did not say she was only trying to save Jasper.
She did not say Richard shouldn’t have accused Ethan.
Both facts were true.
Neither removed her responsibility.
“I didn’t want you blamed,” Sophie said.
“But when I got scared of being caught, I stopped thinking about what could happen to whoever found the card.”
Ethan nodded.
“That’s better.”
Sophie frowned.
“Better than what?”
“‘I didn’t mean it.’”
She smiled slightly.
“Dad said basically the same thing.”
“Disturbing.”
She laughed.
Then Ethan asked:
“How’s Jasper?”
“Back with Mr. Collins.”
“Good.”
Arthur’s house repairs were almost complete.
Jasper could stay home.
If Arthur ever needed temporary help again, several neighbors had volunteered.
Including Richard.
No hiding required.
Ethan looked toward Sophie.
“For the record, if you ever secretly rescue another dog…”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t plant the key beside me.”
Sophie laughed.
“Deal.”