to come back to the hospital with me, but I want to be fair. If there’s any possibility that you’re right, I’ll be there for you. We’ll get everything straightened out, and I’ll take you home with me. But if you can’t convince me, then you’ll go back to therapy. Maybe a new doctor at a facility close to me, so I can visit you. It’s what I always wanted anyway.”
“Close to you?” Beth repeated. “I will convince you, Rick. I swear there’s nothing wrong with me.”
“You’re already convincing me.” He chuckled. “Now you remind me of my tough, beautiful girl who put all those other girls in your school in the shade.”
“You’re the only one who ever called me beautiful.” Her hand reached up and clasped the key pendant. “They say … something happened at the chalet that night. I don’t remember, but I know it wasn’t your fault.”
“You don’t remember?” He sounded suddenly relieved. “Then it’s better forgotten. We’ll start new and bright after we get all this straightened out.” He added crisply, “I’d come to you, but we couldn’t really talk with you surrounded by all those people who think I’m not doing what’s best for you. It’s better if you come to me.”
Beth frowned. “South Carolina?”
“No, I’m in Los Angeles. Nelda said that no one could find you but that I might be able to help. As soon as I knew you needed me, I hopped a plane and came here.”
“A little late,” Eve said. But she had little hope that it would have any effect. “And, of course, Nelda had no ulterior motive.”
“I won’t let you malign my mother. She wants me to be happy and Beth to get well. That’s her only agenda. Beth, will you come to me so that we can talk?”
“No!” Eve said.
“Where are you?” Beth asked.
“I had to keep away from the big hotels. The media are always after me these days. I’m at a small beach house near Malibu. As soon as you get on the way, I’ll give you the address.”
“She’s not going,” Eve said. “I don’t trust you or your mother or whatever slimeballs you might have waiting for Beth.”
“I’ll be alone. I promise, Beth.” He paused. “But you’ll have to be alone, too. Don’t bring Quinn or your friend, Billy. They would only get in the way. I love you. I’ve always loved you. Will you trust me?”
Beth spoke without even a hesitation. “I trust you. I’m coming, Rick.” She hung up.
“Don’t be crazy, Beth,” Eve said. “It’s a trap.”
“It’s not a trap. Couldn’t you tell? Rick meant every word he said. He’s never lied to me.” She met her gaze as she got to her feet. “He cares about me.”
She couldn’t argue with Rick Avery’s sincerity. It was no wonder Beth had believed him. Eve had tried to punch holes in his words, but she couldn’t fault that part of his story. She could see how Sandra, and now Beth, had been caught and held by him all these years. If he was a liar, he was the greatest one she had ever met. “So he appeared to be telling the truth. It doesn’t mean that he’s not being used.”
“What if he’s not? We’re not sure if his mother is to blame for what happened. I can’t remember anything. Maybe it was all Pierce’s fault, his plan.” Her eyes were glittering in her taut face, and her expression was alight with excitement. “I have to go to Rick. He wants to talk to me. We may be able to go home together.”
“You’ve never had a home with him,” she said in despair.
“Not because he didn’t want to give me a home. It was just … difficult.” She gazed at Eve pleadingly. “It’s my chance, Eve. I don’t want to turn my back on it.”
“It’s a trap.”
“No. Rick wouldn’t do that.” She turned and started toward the garden gate. “I’m going. Don’t try to stop me.”
She meant it, and there was no way to argue her out of it.
“Okay, I won’t.” She jumped to her feet and strode toward the gate. “But I’m going with you. Don’t argue. You’re not going alone. I’ll drive you.”
“Rick told me not to bring—”
“Then Rick will have to change his mind,” she said grimly. “You can leave Newell and Joe out of the mix, but you’re not going to leave this house without me. I’m going with you, I’m taking my gun, and I’m going to search that beach house