Page 86 of Aperture

We went to see Theo’s family, the Brissetts and the Carsons, together to tell them the news. It was great to reconnect with them after all these years. They were devastated by his death and knowing some small part of him was going to live on, brought them a modicum of peace.

We have both been doing well in therapy, trying to work through the entire crazy experience of last year. Mine is department mandated, but I would have gone anyway. I wanted to be as mentally healthy as possible before the baby arrived.

I’m holding him close and kissing his tiny head, basking in the new baby smell, when there is a small knock at the door. Millie is finally sleeping so I get up to meet Theo’s family at the door. His mom and Sarah enter first, both crying as soon as they see the bundle in my arms.

I hand him to Sarah and step away to let them bond.

Millie and I decided that no one needed to know the details of what happened with Theo and Sophia. Her dying at Johnny's hands was inevitable, regardless of Theo’s involvement. I never put it in my report and I didn’t tell Sophia’s parents when I called them to finally give them the news they’d been expecting for years.

Johnny never disclosed where he left Sophia’s body, so that was difficult for them, but at least they had some closure.

Johnny’s family could not believe he was the Sierra Falls Strangler. We will never know how many women he killed, and the thought haunts me. I suspect it’s somewhere in the teens.

His family never saw any signs of his potential psychopathy, as often happens in such cases. He was that good at masking it.

He will go down in infamy as a serial killer, just like he wanted, but the details, the details, Millie and I keep for ourselves. He doesn’t get to control that narrative.

Theo is remembered as a hero. He sacrificed his life to save Millie and the unborn son he didn’t know existed. This baby will be so loved by all of us and will never know the same type of pain that Theo grew up with. I made a promise to Millie, and a silent promise to Theo one day, while visiting his grave, that I would always be there for the baby and be the father that he never had. I think he would’ve said, “Thanks, Asshole,” if he could have. And that's enough for me

Extended Epilogue

“I swear, Wyatt, I’m going to ground him. This is the final straw.”

“You know you have never been able to be upset with him for too long. He just pops that dimple at you and you are putty in his hands.”

“Nope. Nope.” She shakes her head. “Not this time. Do you know what he did?”

I grab a highball glass and pour myself two fingers of whiskey. “There’s no telling.”

“Listen to this! He got caught, sneaking into Harper Thompson’s room through her bedroom window!” Of course he did.My son is nothing if not determined.

“This is going to be a whole thing, isn’t it?” I ask, plopping down in my chair.

“Ya think?” she screeches. “Harper’s father is pissed, as he should be. I mean she’s eighteen, but still.”

“I’ll call her father later,” I concede.

Millie is still frantically throwing ingredients on the counter. I don’t know what she’s making. I don’t even know if she knows what she's making, but she’s going to anger-bake something amazing and we all reap the benefits. She’s still seething as she searches for something in the pantry.

“He’s such an intelligent kid. Why does he always have to push the boundaries? I’m so mad, Wyatt. I’m so mad.”

She’s not actually talking to me, so I just let her go, watching her work out her frustrations in the kitchen.

My wife is still the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. At forty-four, she turns heads everywhere she goes. She’s still got her beautiful blonde hair, luscious curves, and snarky attitude, but she’s not the naive girl I fell in love with. Her wisdom comes from the trials she faced as a child, to “the incident,” to being married to a cop, and raising three kids.

Kane, at seventeen, tests us the most, but the twins, Jack and Lexie, at age fifteen, aren’t far behind. Kane reminds me so much of Theo sometimes. Theo’s family sees it, too, and they dote on that boy like you wouldn’t believe. He’s very close with them and his cousins, especially Emmett, who treats him like a little brother.

My son is brilliant and can read people, a gift handed down from his father, so he can sweet-talk his way out of trouble in most situations. I can’t decide if that’s a good thing or bad thing yet.

I look around this home we’ve built. It’s warm and wonderful, with photographs of our life together, all taken by my wife, scattered around: pictures of Millie pregnant with Kane; she and I holding him at the hospital; our wedding day with my family and Gwen; Kane with the Brissetts and Carsons; Millie pregnant with the twins; Millie with the kids and Milo; and then, a very old Milo, the summer before he died; and candid family shots of all us. It all surrounds me and gives my life meaning. We outgrew the house Millie’s grandpa built long ago, but we still have it and rent it out. Millie could never let go of that place and all of the memories. I couldn’t either.

I was promoted to lieutenant five years ago so I could be home with my family. My dad was right. Being a detective is tough. Once I felt that it started to affect my ability to be a good husband and father, I decided to make the change. I spend my time in the office, doing administrative tasks that are honestly boring as shit, but I’m home in the evenings and I don’t regret it for a minute.

Millie is still talking to herself as she stirs chocolate chips into the bowl of batter.

“He could be anything in this life, Wyatt. Anything. Yet, he chooses to be a juvenile delinquent.”

I can’t help but laugh.