Chapter Ten?

Everett sat down at the bar with the mastermind and healing grifter. He handed Everett a small envelope. Her hands shook as she opened it.

"Hardison was able bankrupted half the staff by signing them up to donate to our charity."

She gave him a small smile, "Thank you, Nate. What about Mr. Cowl?"

"Both him and everyone else involved will be going away for a long time. Eliot and Tara were able to convince some people to make sure of it. I don't think the jury will allow them to get off after hearing what they did."

She nodded, "My mom would be happy."

Sophie looked at the woman sadly, "Everett," she paused when she noticed Nate's sullen expression, "From what I read your mom was an amazing person."

"Thank you, Ms. Devereaux. I can never thank you guys enough. I will be eternally grateful for what you've done for my family," Everett said as she got up, "I'd better get going. My flight will be here soon."

"Take care," Sophie said as the brunette left.

Nate ordered some coffee, "You didn't tell her."

"Sometimes we like to see what we want to see. Her mother was happy. That's how she should remember her."

He nodded placing money for the bill on the counter before helping the grifter up. They arrived at his apartment to Eliot making dinner.

"You tell her the truth about her mom? That she did infact commit suicide." Eliot asked.

Nate shook his head as he helped Sophie down on the couch where Parker kept playing with the swing that held her wounded arm.

"Hey," Sophie said to the thief. Parker didn't acknowledge her, so the woman moved closer to her. "No one believes what Crane said. You're not crazy, Parker."

Parker frowned, "You're trying to do that thing to make me feel better, aren't you?"

"Well if you're crazy, so am I."

"You don't stab people when they get too close,"

Sophie adjusted herself on the couch, "I kinda do. Whenever I feel like I'm getting too close to someone I run away. I'd rather be alone than reveal myself to them. I'm so used to lying to them that when they want the truth, I'd give them a lie. Everyone's a little insane."

"Not like me," Parker mumbled, "Crane's right. Something's wrong with me."

"What do you think it is?" Sophie pried.

Parker blinked away the tears from her eyes, "I don't know."

"Let us consider that we are all insane. It will explain to us to each other; it will unriddle many riddles… " —Mark Twain