Chapter Twenty-Two (Conclusion)

The three couples at the centre of the storm, surrounded by their lawyers, were in for the grilling of a lifetime. Kevin and Roxanne just couldn't understand why the six had finally lashed out the way they did, performing in the end what amounted to an extra-judicial execution.

Ruthie, Peter, George, Patty Mary, Rod and Shelby felt like they were repeating their stories ad nauseum as they kept recounting the events of the last two months – the rapes, running around the country, being holed up, getting kidnapped and finally taking advantage of their tormentor's vulnerability. For some reason, they just couldn't get through to their interrogators. Finally, Ruthie had enough and turned the tables on her brother-in-law.

"Kevin," she said coldly, "there is a huge conflict of interest here. One, you're related to me by marriage. Two, you slept with her..." – Ruthie pointed her finger at Roxie. "—and three, you have absolutely no right to presume for us what you might have done in similar circumstances. I seem to recall a few years ago, you two were called to check on a vagrant who was drunk beyond belief and had passed out. No sooner than you checked on them than Roxanne got her wrist slashed. You didn't hesitate for a minute, even though you two were barely friends at that point. You immediately called 'Officer down,' and worked to save her life until the paramedics got there."

"What's that got to do with this?" asked Roxanne in exasperation.

"Everything," replied Ruthie. "We were merely looking out after our own self interest. Robbie's father would have killed us if he had the chance. He killed all those other people, after all. Our lives were in a clear and present danger, and we acted in self-preservation. Our methods may have been rather unorthodox; to be fair, but you and Kevin would have acted no differently. You know that."

"Kinkirk, a word – outside?"

Roxanne and Kevin stepped outside to the observation room next door, behind the one-way mirror. Apparently, Captain Michaels had been following the whole thing.

"Let them go," said Michaels. "Let this end."

"You think they're guilty," said Kevin.

"Of course they are," said Michaels, "but no jury in the world will convict them. They took out a traitor, and in the eyes of the people, they're national heroes. I'm surprised they haven't been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. A Canadian ambassador won it for freeing some American hostages in Iran – which was far less in my book. They stopped a mass murderer, and as far as I'm concerned, that's one time two wrongs make a right."

Roxanne shook her head. "You know, sir, I was just about to recommend dropping the thing myself."

Kevin was shocked. "For the love of God, Richardson, why?"

"Ruthie's right," said Roxie. "If you and I were in that room, we would have acted in the same way. Let's tell them that."

The cops returned to the room.

"Okay, you're free to go, with sincere apologies from the Glen Oak Police Department," said Roxie. "Just one thing? You might want to call the Greenwich Chicks and tell them you're sorry."

"For what?" asked Peter.

"You walked out of that house right by them without even saying hello. They drove hours on end up to the border to try to save your lives, if it had come to that."

"Yeah, you're right," said Ruthie. "Come on, gang, let's go."

The couples went their separate ways once more. Ruthie and Peter finally began their long-delayed packing duties for their move to UCLA. In between their breaks, they managed to make love, but it seemed almost mechanical – as if they were doing it for the sake of doing it. But after the trauma of seeing so many friends killed and nearly losing their freedom, it was far better than nothing.

Meanwhile, Lucy finally confessed to her parents about her infidelities – first with Chandler, then with Roxanne. To her surprise, Annie and Eric were understanding and immediately forgiving.

"I'm just surprised it didn't happen sooner," said Annie. "You and Kevin had been in trouble for far longer than we imagined. We saw the warning signs for nearly a year, but we just felt it wasn't our place to tell you two. We wanted you two to figure it out. We can't condone what you did, Luce, but we won't hold it against you. What you did with both Dr. Hampton and Officer Richardson was mean. Mean as a spouse, that is, but not cowardly mean. I know you never meant to hurt Kevin. And the fact you two want to work it out says more about you both as a wife and as a minister."

"Just don't do it again," added Eric. "I'm very, very disappointed in you, Lucy. But I understand. I can't tell you the number of times I was tempted, and you know I finally did give into temptation – so many years after I thought I had given up on all women except Annie. And even your mother cheated on me."

He paused.

"You really think you two can work it out?"

"We have to," said Lucy, truly remorseful now. "I have another baby on the way, and Kevin has every right to my unborn child as our other children. It is his, after all. It may take the rest of our lives, but I'm going to earn his trust again. I hope he can earn mine. I told him I forgave him for sleeping with Roxanne, but I'm not quite sure I really have. I might someday."

Lucy suddenly realized what her sermon would be that Sunday. She excused herself, headed for the study, and began pounding away at her desktop.

The following Sunday, the last of the summer holidays, the church was crowded once more. Lucy didn't mince words as she offered a full accounting of what happened in the last few months.

"There's no easy way for me to say this, folks, I have sinned," Lucy said. "I betrayed my husband in the worst possible way. Not only did I sleep with one of my colleagues, I then proceeded to do the same with my husband's long time professional partner. Ever since, I have asked myself why I did it; and the answer is that there is no answer. It was just a total lack of judgement on my part. I had to deceive myself and many others to justify what I did. In the end, I can't. I can only thank the deacons for their unequivocal support. I only ask the same from you.

"I can promise you this: I won't do anything like that again. Kevin and I are absolutely determined to save our marriage, and to try to set a good example for the rest of you. To that end, I want to say once again that I am offering my services as a marriage counsellor. If any of you think you're headed for trouble, the time to act is now, before it becomes a real issue – like it did for us.

"And one last thing: this is the last weekend Ruthie and Peter are going to be with us. I just want to wish them all the best in their marriage as they start school. They're not sure what they want to do with the rest of their lives, but suffice it to say, they want to make this world a better place. I know they will."

Lucy wasn't sure what response she was going to get, but it was immensely supportive. To a person, every parishioner welcomed her back into the fold.

Ruthie and Peter left Glen Oak the next day after tearful goodbyes all around. As they drove away, Ruthie suddenly thought of something.

"Do you think we can do this, Peter? Go to school and raise a family all at the same time?"

"Yeah, we can. Why?"

"I was just wondering if it may be not too late to drop and add some courses."

"If you're thinking ROTC, forget it," said Peter. "We killed two human beings. I'm not going to learn how to do it legally."

"No," said Ruthie. "I know what I want to do with the rest of my life. I want to help people. I'm going to be a social worker."

"Funny," said Peter, "that's what I want to do, too!"

Ruthie smirked. "Pull over, next exit."

"Why?"

"There's a hotel that charges $10 an hour for day-nighters. I'm in the mood for a quickie to celebrate our future before we head for La La Land."

"You don't need to ask twice," said Peter.

TO BE CONTINUED …