That, too, is like Carver. It makes Harold smile just a little.

"I didn't think you would," he offers, less like reassurance and more like confirmation of an assumption. "And in this case, yes, we did. They rekindled their love and claimed spousal privilege -- that is, refused to testify against one another, and could not be compelled because of their marriage. So they made off without charges."

He sips his beer again, this time not grimacing. Deliberately, he goes on in a mild tone, "Your brother wanted to hear a story of someone being saved, too."

Harold finds that sad, but also very telling in a hopeful sort of way.