When it ended and Raveneau and la Rosa were outside talking in the church lot, Bates approached, wanting to talk alone with Raveneau. Bates’s face was dusty, ashen. He looked as if he hadn’t slept in days. He’s truly hurting, Raveneau thought, and then walked far enough away to talk alone with him. ‘I lied to you and Ted. I told you I sat on Stoltz and watched him, but I didn’t. I lied and I can’t stop thinking about it. Ted kept calling me. He called almost every night. I just figured he was breaking down, coming apart, and imagining things.’ ‘You already told me that and I understand.’ Raveneau said that slowly. He didn’t want to dismiss the apology, but there was also nothing gained in Bates rationalizing it. ‘I caused everything that’s happened. It all could have been prevented. Ted, my sweet Jacie, my God, I got Jacie killed.’ ‘No, you didn’t.’ ‘You don’t know what I’m saying, Raveneau. I got my Jace killed when I lied to Ted and you. Most nights we’d make that walk together.
