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 testimony 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.