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