Martin is the worst example. Making us act like dogs, forcing us to fuck each other, mounting us as if we were inanimate objects, cartoon women, so he could live out his fantasies. But other men do the same thing in different ways. Like Rick. He used you, then discarded you.'
'oh, God!' Betsy wept, stunned and only half believing what Sloane said.
'He's not dead.'
'I did it for you, Betsy.'
'No, Sloane. He didn't deserve this.'
Sloane's features hardened. 'They all deserve to die, Betsy. All of them.'
'You're Samantha Reardon, aren't you?'
Reardon nodded.
'I don't understand. After what you went through, how could you kill those women?'
'That was hard, Betsy. I made certain they didn't suffer. I only marked them when they were anesthetized.
If there was another way, I would have chosen it.'
Of course, Betsy thought, if Reardon kidnapped the women to frame Martin Darius, it would be easier to deal with them if they were unconscious. A nurse who assisted in surgery would know all about anesthetics like pentobarbital.
Reardon smiled warmly, reversed the gun and held it out to Betsy.
'Don't be afraid. I said I wouldn't hurt you. Take it.
I want you to see how much I trust you.'
Betsy half-reached, then stopped.
'Go on,' Reardon urged her. 'Do as I say. I know you won't shoot me. I'm the only one who knows where Kathy is. If I was killed, no one would be able to find her.
She'd starve to death. That's a cruel and horrible way to die. I know. I almost died from starvation.'
Betsy took the gun. It was cold to the touch and heavy. She had the power to kill Reardon, but she felt utterly helpless.
'if I do what you say, you'll give me Kathy unharmed?'
'Kathy is my insurance policy, just as I was Peter Lake's. Nancy Gordon told me all about the governor's pardon. I've learned so much from Martin Darius. I can't wait to thank him, in person.'
Reardon sat (quietly for a while. She did not move.
Betsy tried to stay just as still, but it was impossible. She shifted on the couch. The seconds passed. Reardon looked as if she was having trouble framing her thoughts.
When she spoke, she looked into Betsy's eyes with an expression of deep concern and addressed Betsy the way a teacher addresses a prize pupil when she wants to make certain that the student understands a key point.
'You have to see Darius for what he is to understand what I'm doing. He is the Devil. Not just a bad person, but pure evil. Ordinary measures wouldn't have worked.
Who would believe me? I've been committed twice.
When I tried to tell people in Hunter's Point, no one would listen. Now I know why. I always suspected there were others working with Martin.
Nancy Gordon confirmed that. She told me all about the conspiracy to free Martin and blame Henry Waters. Only the Devil would have so much power. Think of it. The governor, the mayor, policemen. Only Gordon resisted. And she was the only woman.'
Reardon watched Betsy intently. 'I'll bet you'll be tempted to call the police as soon as I leave. You mustn't do that. They might catch me.
I'll never tell where Kathy is if I'm caught. You must be especially strong when the police tell you Rick is dead and Kathy has been kidnapped. Don't weaken and give me away.'
Reardon smiled coldly.
'You must not put your faith in the police. You must not believe that they can break me. I can assure you that nothing the police can do to me compares to what Martin did, and Martin never broke me. Oh, he thought he did.
He thought I was submitting, but only my body submitted. My mind stayed strong and focused.
'At night I could hear the others whimpering. I never whimpered. I folded my hate inside me and kept it safe and warm. Then I waited. When they told me Waters was the one, I knew they were lying. I knew Martin had done something to them to make them lie. The Devil can do that-twist people, change them around like clay figures-but he didn't change me.'
'Is Kathy warm?' Betsy asked. 'She can get sick if she's in a damp place.'
'Kathy is warm, Betsy. I'm not a monster like Darius I'm not inhuman or insensitive. I need Kathy to be safe. I don't want to harm her.'
Betsy did not hate Reardon. Reardon was insane. It was Darius she hated.
Darius knew exactly what he was doing in Hunter's Point when he created Reardon by stripping her of her humanity. Betsy handed the gun to Reardon.
'Take it. I don't want it.'
'Thank you, Betsy. I'm pleased to see you trust me as much as I trust you.'
'What you're doing is wrong. Kathy is a baby. She never did anything to you.'
'I know. I feel badly about taking her, but I couldn't think of any other way to force you to help me. You have such high principles. I was upset when you told me you were dropping Darius as a client. I counted on you to get me close to him. But I admired you for refusing to represent him. So many lawyers would have continued for the money. I helped you with your marital problems so you'd see how much I respect you.'
Reardon stood up. 'I've got to go. Please don't worry. Kathy's safe and warm. Do what I told you and she'll be back with you soon.'
'Can you have Kathy call me? She'll be frightened.
It would help her if she heard my voice.'
'I'm sure you're sincere, Betsy, but you might try to have my calls traced. I can't take that chance.'
'Then give this to her,' Betsy said, handing Oliver to Reardon. 'It will make her feel safe.'
Reardon took the stuffed animal. Tears streaked down Betsy's face.
'She's all I have. Please don't hurt her.'
Reardon closed the door without answering. Betsy ran into the kitchen and watched her walk up the driveway, back straight, unwavering. At that moment, Betsy suddenly knew bow the husbands felt when they came home to find only notes that read 'Gone, But Not Forgotten.'
Betsy wandered back to the living room. It was still dark, though a sliver of light was starting to show on the fringe of the hills. Betsy slumped on the couch, exhausted by the effort it took to keep her emotions at bay, unable to think and in shock. She wanted to mourn Rick, but — all she could think about was Kathy. Until Kathy was safe, her heart would have no time to ache for Rick. autopsy photographs, she tried to block her memory of the picture Darius had painted of his dehumanized prisoners, but she could not stop herself from seeing Kathy, her little girl, frantic and defenseless, curled up in the dark, terrified of every sound.
Time passed in a blur. The rain stopped and the sky changed from dark to light without her noticing. The pool of cold coffee had spread between the fragments of the broken cup and across the top of the coffee table.
Betsy walked into the kitchen. There was a roll of paper towels over the sink. She tore some off the roll, found a small paper bag and grabbed a large sponge. Doing something helped. Moving helped.
Betsy picked up the pieces of the cup and put them in the paper bag. She sponged off the tabletop and used the paper towels to wipe it down. As she worked, she thought about help. The police were out. She could not control them. Betsy believed Samantha Reardon. If Reardon thought Betsy betrayed her, she would kill Kathy. If the police arrested her, she would never tell where she was holding Kathy.
Betsy put the wet towels into the bag, carried the bag into the kitchen and put it in the garbage. Finding Kathy was the only thing she cared about. Reggie Stewart was an expert at finding people and she could control him, because Reggie worked for her. More important, he was sensitive. He would put finding Kathy ahead of arresting Samantha Reardon. Betsy would have to act quickly. It was only a matter of time before someone discovered Rick's body and the police investigation started.
