Chapter 22 - NORA RETURNS TO THE HALLOne year after Amelia’s funeral, Harrison invited Nora back to the estate.
She almost declined.
Then agreed.
The grand hall looked different.
No coffin.
No white funeral flowers.
A memorial portrait of Amelia hung beside the staircase.
Pregnant.
Smiling.
Alive.
Nora stood before it.
“I like this one.”
“So do I.”
Harrison joined her.
They did not discuss the case immediately.
Eventually Nora asked:
“Do you still blame yourself?”
“Yes.”
She looked at him.
“That wasn’t the answer I expected.”
“I’m done giving answers I think people want.”
Nora smiled.
Harrison continued.
“I didn’t kill Amelia.”
“No.”
“I didn’t know.”
“No.”
“But I was absent enough that she thought calling me was a burden.”
Nora considered.
“She was proud of you.”
“That doesn’t erase it.”
“No.”
“Does blaming yourself help her?”
Harrison looked at the portrait.
“No.”
“Then?”
He thought.
“It changes how I live.”
That was the only useful form of guilt he had found.
Not self-destruction.
Adjustment.
Presence.
Listening.
Harrison had begun mentoring younger officers differently.
When subordinates said family emergencies mattered, he no longer treated them as weakness.
Duty included going home sometimes.
May you like
Amelia had taught him too late.
He still learned.
Related Stories
