“But you didn’t say yes.”
“I couldn’t give her an unconditional yes. I thought this thing with Frank Duffy was a potential noose around my neck. The absolute worst thing for you would be to lose your mother to cancer and then lose your guardian because she was embroiled in a rape scandal. I wanted Debby to know everything that could possibly impact on my perceived fitness to be your guardian. So I told her I had decided to divorce Joe. And I told her why.”
“You told her Frank Duffy didn’t rape you. You told her it was Joe.”
“That’s right.”
“And then she wrote to Frank Duffy and told him exactly what you said. Why?”
“I don’t know why. Maybe she thought Frank might need the letter to clear his name someday. Whatever she was thinking, I’ve always felt somewhat betrayed by that.”
The rage returned. “And that’s when Frank Duffy started to blackmail you and Joe.”
“Yes.”
“And then my mother was shot.”
“After. Yes.”
“Oh, my God. It’s like Ryan Duffy said. You and Joe are in this together. You killed my mother for telling his father the truth.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“That’s why Joe paid all that extortion. You weren’t just hiding the rape. It was the murder. You killed my mother for writing that letter to Frank Duffy. And then you paid Frank Duffy to hide the letter and keep your motive a secret.”
“Amy, I didn’t kill her.”
“Then Joe did.”
Marilyn was silent.
Amy came around the table, ready to strike her. “Joe killed her, didn’t he!”
Marilyn stepped back, on the verge of tears. “I don’t know. I swear to God, I don’t know.”
“You know, Marilyn. In your heart, you know.”
She covered her face, her hands shaking. “Don’t you think it’s been hell for me? Yes, in my heart I’ve suspected.”
“Then why didn’t you do something? Just go to the police.”
“I couldn’t. Not after Joe started paying the blackmail. The way he set it up, the whole scheme looked like it was designed to protect my reputation, my career. The police would have thought I was behind the murder. Not Joe.”
“Why shouldn’t I think the same thing?”
“Because now Joe’s motive is finally apparent. It was a long-term investment for him. The blackmail, the murder. He controls me. And if I get this appointment to the Board of Governors, he’ll control the Federal Reserve.”
“You let him control you.”
“I made a bad decision, and it snowballed. But I would never have done anything to hurt your mother. Or you. I’m a victim here, too. How do you think it feels after forty-six years? To be deceived into marrying the man who raped me. And to be manipulated by him still, twenty years after the divorce.”
Marilyn wiped away a tear. Amy felt every right to be angry, but she felt sorry for her, too.
“All I want,” she said, seething, “is to find the man who killed my mother. And make him pay.”
“I can understand that. But if you’re looking for an actual trigger man, it wouldn’t have been Joe. Not personally, I mean.”
“Who was it?”
“Probably a man named Rusch. He’s been with Joe for years. He does the kind of work Joe never talked about, not even when we were married.”
“How do I meet this Mr. Rusch?”
“Trust me. You never want to meet him.”
She stepped closer, right in Marilyn’s face.
“Take me to him.”
“Amy, the reason I came here is to make sure you don’t meet him.”
“Excuse me?”
“Somebody faxed your mother’s letter to me this morning and said to meet them at Cheesman Dam tonight. I called Joe and told him about it. He’s sending Rusch in my place, in my Mercedes. It’s a trap.”
“A trap for who?”
“For whoever faxed the letter to me. I was afraid it might have been you.”
“I didn’t fax you anything.”
“Then it had to be Ryan Duffy.” Marilyn stiffened, concerned. She dug her phone from her purse. “Somebody has to warn him.”
Amy stopped her from dialing. “Let it go.”
“But Rusch will be waiting for him in my car.”
Amy’s eyes narrowed, as if revenge were in sight. “And I’ll be waiting for Rusch.”
“He’s a professional. He’ll kill you like a fly.”
“Not if you’re with me, he won’t.”
Marilyn hesitated. She should have been afraid, but for over forty years she’d let fear control her.
“All right. But we can’t just walk into this without any backup. It’ll cost me, but let me do that much.”
Amy thought for a second, then nodded. “That makes sense.”
“Of course it does,” she said with a thin smile.
“What’s a guardian for, anyway?”
“Let’s take a ride. Maybe we’ll both find out.”
62
The wrought-iron gate at the end of Marilyn’s driveway was closed, but the old stone wall was easily scaled. Rusch cleared the cherry hedge on the inside and cut across the lawn, his black coveralls making him virtually invisible in the night. The silver 800 series Mercedes was unlocked, parked beneath the portico. He opened the door, dropped his black leather bag on the passenger side, and checked the glove box. As promised, the car key was inside, along with the electronic transmitter for the iron gate. Rusch fired up the engine, opened the gate, and backed out of the driveway.
He dialed Kozelka on the car phone as he pulled away. “Got the car. I’m on my way to the dam.”
“Did Marilyn see you?”
“I don’t think she’s home. I peeked in the garage. Her Volvo was gone.”
“Probably didn’t want to be anywhere near her house when you came by. Just as well. Did you take care of the ex-wife and her lawyer yet?”
“Everything’s in place. Package was delivered to Jackson’s house around ten. That should take care of itself.”
“Make sure of it. That goes double at the dam. Duffy’s a smart guy.”
“That’s why I’d still rather take him out someplace else. Pop him by surprise.”
“Can’t do it. It’s the same reason we had to frame him rather than kill him before. You never know when the FBI might be watching him.”
“Like tonight.”
“Not tonight,” said Kozelka. “This is a business transaction for Duffy. He won’t show up unless he’s sure the FBI isn’t following him.”
“So this is our one and only clean shot at him.”
“That’s why I’m using my best man, Rusch. Do it right. And once it’s done, don’t call me for a month.”
“Is this a paid vacation?” he asked as the car stopped at a traffic light.
