“Live.” Her face was suddenly lit with an emotion that was amazing in its intensity. “I want to do everything, see everything. There’s not one experience I don’t want to explore. I told you that the first night I met you.”
“Yes, you did.” She looked down at their joined hands. “But I wondered if Rick’s death had made a difference. It may be a while before you can come to terms with it.”
“I may never come to terms with it.” Beth’s eyes were glittering with tears. “I think I’m trying to hold it at bay. I loved him so much, Eve.”
“I know you did.” She was silent. “And I think he loved you, Beth.”
“That was hard for you to say.” Her lips twisted. “But he did love me. I know it. But not as much as I loved him. If the situation had been reversed, I would never have accepted what they told me. I would have fought for him. I would never have stopped. He wasn’t what I thought he was, but maybe there was a way I could have helped him, changed him. You don’t give up on people because they’re not what you want them to be. Not if you love them.”
“That’s right,” Eve said. “Not if you love them.” She leaned back in her chair. “Now see if you can go back to sleep until they bring you your lunch.”
She shook her head. “I’ve slept enough. I want to—”
“May I come in? I had to see how you were, Beth.” Nelda Avery was standing in the doorway. She was dressed in a gray designer suit, and her makeup and hair were perfection. She didn’t wait for an answer. “The nurses said that you weren’t seeing visitors, but I told them that family was different.” She came toward the bed. “After all, I’m your grandmother, Beth.”
Beth was staring at her, stunned. “What?”
“This is Rick’s mother, Nelda Avery,” Eve said. “I’ve never met her myself, but I’ve seen photos. I’m sure you have, too, Beth.”
“Yes.”
“But we’ve never seen each other in person, have we, Beth?” Nelda said. “You don’t recognize me?”
“No, I’ve never seen you, but Rick talked about you. He loved you very much.” Beth was still gazing at her. “You look so young and beautiful.”
“It’s not natural, I assure you. I go to the very best people.”
“Why are you here?” Eve asked bluntly.
Nelda smiled. “You’re Eve Duncan. You’ve caused me a great deal of trouble.” For a moment the smile faltered. “I understand you were there when my son was killed by that maniac. I don’t know if I can forgive you for not preventing that from happening.”
“Are you mad?” Eve asked. “If anyone is to blame, it’s you. You’re the one who persuaded him to be the bait in the trap to lure Beth.”
“I have no idea what you mean,” she said. “But if I did, then I’d tell you that everything would have been fine if you hadn’t been with Beth. It should have been a smooth transaction. My son shouldn’t have died.”
“No, Beth should have died,” Eve said bitterly. “Wasn’t that the plan?”
She didn’t answer directly. “No one died but my son and the maniac who killed him. Drogan obviously had some grudge against Rick and took the opportunity to have his revenge.”
“You know that’s not true,” Eve said. “You were behind this entire horror. How on earth do you think you can get away with a story like that?”
“Can you prove that it’s not true?” Nelda looked her in the eye, and said coolly, “Try it. I have money and power. I’ve built a reputation that can withstand almost any attack. Besides, nothing can be traced to me.”
“What about the money you gave Pierce for keeping Beth at that hospital all those years?”
“I was only a compassionate grandmother trying to save her grandchild. Look at all the money I poured into getting her cured. My son begged me to do all I could for her, and I did it.”
“You lied to him about me,” Beth said. “Didn’t you?”
“Perhaps.” Nelda lifted her chin defiantly. “He couldn’t expect to have everything. I had to protect myself. I had to protect him.”
“But mostly yourself,” Eve said. “Joe told me you were a broken woman the night that Rick was murdered, but it didn’t last long, did it? You bounced back, and you’re on the attack.”
“What do you know?” Nelda said harshly. “Rick was the center of my life, and he was taken. But I won’t let the rest of my life be trashed. I deserve the chance to build again.”
“You’re not going to get it,” Eve said flatly. “There will be a way to connect you to Drogan and the murders.”
“Find it. And I’ll have a battery of lawyers and investigators working to disprove it. I had a reason once to avoid publicity, but that died with Rick. The litigation will go on and on until you finally drop it.” She took a step closer to the bed. “Don’t listen to her. You wouldn’t want to waste your time like that, Beth.” Her voice was soft, persuasive. “The whole world is opening for you. Did you know you’re going to be a very rich woman? Rick inherited a trust fund from my husband’s mother. It’s a very large trust and actually makes you a bit richer than even my husband. I was surprised to find out that Rick had left it to you in his will. He never told me.”
“Perhaps because he thought you’d try to talk him out of it,” Eve said. “You effectively erased Beth from his life.”
“It was necessary,” Nelda said. “But now we’ll make it up to her.”
“If I don’t cause you any trouble?” Beth asked. “Tell me, did you provide those young girls to Rick?”
She didn’t answer for a moment, then shrugged. “Why not? It made him happy and content, and I could keep control of his little affairs. I never understood why he couldn’t have more normal relationships, but it was just an adjustment I had to make.” She turned. “Now that we’ve had our discussion, I’ll go and let you rest, Beth. You know you only have to call me, and I’ll be there to help. After all, we are family.”
“Wait,” Beth said. “Why did you really come to see me?”
“I told you, the situation has changed, and we have to change with it.”
“That’s not it.” Eve’s eyes were narrowed on that smooth, perfect face. “You had to be sure.”
Nelda’s brows lifted. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“You had to be sure that Beth still didn’t remember anything about that night at the chalet. You had to reassure yourself that Gelber’s therapy was still holding firm. The only way you could be certain was to breeze in here and show yourself and look for a reaction.”
Nelda smiled. “There was no reaction. I was never at the chalet. Neither was Beth. If there are any records to say that was false, then they’re obviously in error. Who would believe that anyone could be hypnotized into forgetting such a traumatic event?”
Eve stared at her with horror. It was possible that Nelda might actually get away with her part in those murders. A combination of almost unlimited money and power would be nearly impossible to fight and, if Nelda had truly been careful in covering her tracks, it could become a nightmare. “And what if Beth starts to remember?”
“And change her story? It wouldn’t hold up in court. Of course she could lie and say she did remember, but there are polygraph tests. She wouldn’t want to go through that.” She glanced at Beth again. “Look at how delicate she is and what she’s suffered through the years. Let her enjoy her life and spend that money Rick left her. She doesn’t want to waste one minute trying to punish me when she knows I loved Rick as much as she did.”
“Don’t I?” Beth was gazing steadily at Nelda. “I think you destroyed Rick. You could have stopped him, taught him, instead of giving him whatever he wanted. I hate what you did to him. And I hate what you did to me. You tried your best to destroy me. I’m not sure you still wouldn’t do it if you thought you could get away with it. After all, I’m a witness against you.”
Nelda shook her head. “Not a credible witness. You’re a mental patient, for God’s sake. A defense attorney would tear your testi
mony apart.”
“Perhaps. But I’m still a threat to you.”
“A threat? Don’t be absurd. You’re nothing, you’ve always been nothing.”
“Don’t underestimate me.” Beth added softly, “Because I won’t underestimate you, Nelda. I’ll watch you and search out your weaknesses, and when I find one, I’ll destroy you.”
For an instant, Nelda appeared shaken, but she quickly recovered. “And spend the rest of your life hounding me? Is that what you want to do?”
“No, because that would mean I’d be a sacrifice on your altar.” She smiled faintly. “But I can live my life and still go after you. Look over your shoulder, and I’ll be there. I can delegate. Rick left me the money to do it.”
“It won’t work,” Nelda said. “I’ll win, I always win.”
Beth silently shook her head.
Nelda’s hands clenched at her sides. “You’re pitiful. You can’t even see how overmatched you are. I’ve had years of experience at getting exactly what I want. Who do you think you are?”
“The one person who’s qualified to take you down. Look at me, and you’ll see yourself. I may have things to learn, but I learn very fast. After all, I’m your granddaughter, Nelda.”
Nelda gazed at her for a long moment, a myriad of expressions chasing across her face. Then she made a low exclamation, whirled, and left the room.
Beth drew a long shaky breath and closed her eyes.
Eve gave a low whistle. “Interesting…”
“Not for me.” Beth’s eyes opened. “It was terrifying.”
“You were afraid of her? You didn’t show it.”
“I wasn’t afraid of her. I’m afraid to be her.” She paused. “And I could be her if I let myself. I could feel the power and the will…” She swallowed. “I won’t let that happen to me. Then she would win, just as she said. And I won’t let her win. It may take me a long time, but I’m going to find a way to take her down.” She closed her eyes again. “If you don’t mind, I think I’ll rest now. You go somewhere and rest, too. You don’t have to stay with me.”
All the energy had drained away from Beth, yet Eve was still aware of a strength and endurance that hadn’t been there before. She had suffered and made mistakes and fought her way through the wall of thorns that had held her prisoner, and it had taken a terrible toll. Beth was changing, growing, becoming what she would have been if she hadn’t been caught and held for those nightmare years.
And Eve couldn’t wait to see what that change would bring.
“Oh, I’ll stay with you.” Eve once more took her hand. “It will be my privilege.”
* * *
“GOOD NEWS?” EVE LOOKED UP from her magazine as Joe came into the hospital room four hours later. She smiled as she read the answer in his expression. “Very good news.”
“I convinced the board they wanted to get rid of Beth as soon as possible.” He crossed the room and kissed her. “And that keeping her in that hospital was more legally risky than letting her go. It was all about protecting the hospital and their positions on the board.” He glanced around the room. “Where’s Beth?”
“She’s at the atrium down the hall with Kendra. She was getting restless cooped up in this room.”
“And a little nervous?”
She shook her head. “She’s … not the same, Joe. You’ll see.” She paused. “I want to take her home with us. Is that all right with you?”
“Of course, it is. She’s walking wounded right now. She needs us.”
“That’s what I thought.” She stood up and went into his arms. Lord, that felt good. They had not had more than a few minutes together since the horror at Drogan’s shack. “But I had to check with you. You’ve gone through a hell of a lot for Beth since we came here.”
“And you haven’t?”
“She’s my sister.”
He chuckled. “I’m fully aware of that fact. I believe that’s what this has all been about.” He gave her a quick, hard kiss. “Are you afraid I’m feeling imposed upon?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t. She’s part of you, blood kin. That’s enough for me.” He kissed her again. “Now go down the hall and tell Beth that she’s a free woman and is going to be our guest for a while.”
She started to turn away, then looked back at him. “Truly free, Joe? I called you and told you what Nelda Avery said to her. Is there any way the police can find a way to arrest her? She seemed so confident.”
“She has a right to be confident,” he said grimly. “Nelda Avery is holding a strong hand. I think she’s been planning on getting rid of everyone who has been a threat to her for a number of years and had everything in place for when it became necessary. She used some of the tools that Pierce had in place but probably also some of her own. But we’ll keep gnawing away until we get a break. There’s no way we’re going to let her get away with murder. Right now, she’s playing her son’s death as a murder committed by a maniac who wanted to kill him because he was going to be the next president. The media are going along with it. After she secures her position, will she go after Beth?” He shook his head. “I don’t know. I admit I’m afraid for Beth.”
“Don’t be.” She smiled. “Beth’s not afraid. She may even look forward to it.”
She was still smiling as she walked down the hospital corridor toward the atrium. She could see how Joe would be wary of Nelda Avery, but he hadn’t seen the confrontation between Nelda and Beth. Both Eve and Joe were more worried than Beth. She was right about being a mirror of Nelda Avery. She had strength and endurance and even a little of the ruthlessness that Beth, herself, feared would come to the forefront.
She might be Sandra’s daughter, but Eve could only see Nelda’s strength and not her mother’s weakness in Beth.
Sandra.
She had to call Sandra and tell her that Beth was fine now that the situation had stabilized.
“I saw Joe going into my room.” Beth turned away from Kendra as Eve came into the atrium. “What news?”
“You’re free to go anywhere you wish to go. You’re a free woman.” She held up her hand as Beth gave a cry. “I imagine you’ll not get an apology or admission of misdiagnosis. That would be a confession of guilt. But the hospital is officially releasing you.”
“Yes.” Beth’s face was flushed and luminous, her eyes glittering. “I don’t care about confessions or punishments. All I want is to be done with that place.” She gave Eve a hug. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Eve returned her hug and laughed. “I think you’re happy.”
“And I’m going to stay that way. No one’s going to bring me down again.”
Beth’s glowing expression made her look as young as the teenager she’d been when the nightmare had started, Eve thought. It was strange that Beth, though appearing grown, seemed younger than her years, while Bonnie, though appearing young, seemed older than her physical body. And where was Eve? Somewhere between and loving both of them with all her heart.
“They wouldn’t dare try to bring you down,” Eve said. “Joe and I would like you to come home with us for a while. We’ll form a united front to repel all invaders.”
Beth’s smile faded. “And I’ll be safe and comfortable and protected by both of you.”
“Yes.” There was something in Beth’s expression that caused Eve to stiffen. “Is something wrong, Beth?”
“What could be wrong? You’re two wonderful people who care about me. I’d be foolish not to snatch what you’re offering me.”
“Yes, you would.” Kendra spoke for the first time, her gaze on Beth’s face. “But maybe you have a right to be foolish.” She turned and moved away from them. “Not my business. I’ll keep my mouth shut.”
Eve’s gaze had not left Beth. “I don’t understand. You don’t want to go with us?”
“I do want to go with you,” Beth said passionately. “I want to be safe. I want to be with you, to get to know you even better, to be part of your life.” She paus
ed. “I want that so much that I know that it’s wrong.”
“Explain.”
“I don’t have the right to be safe. I haven’t taken any chances, I haven’t experimented, I haven’t made terrible mistakes, I haven’t conquered Mt. Everest, I haven’t learned how to make friends and keep them. For God’s sake, I’m still a virgin.”
Eve had to smile. “I believe we’ve addressed that particular problem before. We have no intention of keeping you from doing any of those things, Beth. We just want to be there to support you.”
“And I’m grateful. You can’t know how grateful I am. But there’s a part of me that wants desperately to go back to that life I lived at the hospital. I don’t know if that was part of the posthypnotic suggestion or if I just became accustomed to the routine and care. All I know is that if I want to be free, I can’t have supports to prop me up. I might lean on them too much.” She smiled shakily. “Please. It’s not because I don’t care. I’d love to be with you. Maybe someday I’ll be able to take what you want to give me. You and Joe are very strong. You’re generous, and you’d want to keep me from getting hurt. But that’s not the way I’ll learn to be a complete person, is it? You have your own lives, your own careers. I have to find mine, Eve.”
Eve could feel her eyes sting as she gazed at her. “It’s not because I’m being generous that I want you to come home with us. I’m being selfish. I don’t want to worry about you.” She swallowed. “But I’ll just have to get over it, won’t I?” She drew a deep breath. “Okay, you don’t have to come live with us. But there are a couple things that you should do. Come to the cottage for a couple days, then I’ll let you walk away. I want you to meet Sandra.”
Beth stiffened. “I don’t know if I want to meet her. I can’t understand how she wouldn’t care about you.”
“You’re being defensive. Perhaps she does care about me in her way. But I know that she loves you. Remember what you said to me? You don’t give up on people because they’re not what you want them to be.”