Part 59 (1/2)
There it was.
The gauntlet.
Rachel leveled her eyes on him. ”Go on. What's in it for your mummy?”
”You owe me. You owe Joseph. What have you ever done for either of us?”
Rachel shook her head. ”Not going to work with me, Cain. You know better than that.”
”What can I give you, Mom?”
”Not you, sweet boy, your father in-law. The b.a.s.t.a.r.d was supposed to free me four years ago. It's time.”
”He can't.”
Rachel laughed. She came back to her seat, flopping down. ”He got me off a murder rap. You telling me he can't get me released?”
”Then he won't.”
”Then you will have to make the choice for him.” Rachel studied him for a long moment. ”Untie me.”
”Why?”
”Can't teach my boy how to play chess with my hands tied behind my back,” she smiled.
”If you help me, then I'll help you, Mom. There's one more thing. You get out of here and we're done. You leave for good. I don't want to ever see you again.”
She nodded slowly. ”Your choice. I'll respect it.”
Cain sighed.
Rachel licked her bottom lip. ”So who are the players?”
”His name is Keith Livingston. I'm in love with his wife. He works for Andrew, my boss.”
Rachel laughed. ”Now this ought to be fun. What about your wife? We keep her? Or get rid of her?”
The question hit him hard. He hadn't thought of his marriage, and how he'd handle Maryanne. ”Don't worry about that. I'll take care of it.”
Rachel arched a brow. ”Really? You'll take care of it?”
”I need to know how to have Andrew and Keith cut each other's throats. Get them both out of the way.”
”I like this game already,” Rachel laughed.
After a deep intake of breath, Simone pressed the b.u.t.ton again. She was beginning to think no one was home. And then the door opened. ”Simone? Is that you? George, Simone's here! Come in! Come in!”
”Hi, Mother Livingston, how are you?”
Simone was shocked that Meredith, the family maid, didn't answer. Simone walked inside. The place always felt so sterile to her. It was more like a museum and a monument to the Livingston's legacy than a house. Keith's behavior always changed when he crossed the threshold too. He became so rigid and void of humor. She had to wonder what growing up with these parents did to him. She swallowed back the nauseating smell of geraniums that were stuffed in every pot and vase.
”George, Simone's here.”
She looked into the parlor. The judge smoked on his pipe while reading a paper. His eyes lifted and locked with hers. They dropped in disinterest.
”Oh never mind him. I'm so glad you came. You could have called, darling. Keith said you were dealing with a lot. Come out on the terrace with me. I was just sitting down to my lemonade.” She hurried along. Her name was Alice, a woman of short stature. She was in her mid-sixties but didn't look a day over 55. Dressed in a pink dress and neutral heels, she looked as if she were going out. Simone guessed she wasn't. Alice played lady of the Livingston manor well, better than she, and Simone was constantly reminded of that fact through the years. ”I spoke to Keith this morning, before he got on the plane. He said that you were here to see your sister. She's sick? He said he'd be coming as soon as he can. I'm sure you miss him terribly.”
Simone forced a smile while following. They stepped out on the terrace. The noonday sun added to the humidity. She removed her suit jacket and sat down. She could feel her mother in-law's eyes on her. She knew that Keith spoke to her daily, especially when things were tense between them. There was a chance that she knew more.
”Meredith, bring Simone a gla.s.s of lemonade, dear!”
”I would have called, but I was out shopping and visiting friends. I just couldn't go back to Kim's without stopping by.”
”Of course. How are her sons?”
”Fine. They are all fine.”
”And Castle Rock?”
”It's nice, a beautiful place. Keith is really busy and I started a garden.”
”Ah, now that is promising.” Her mother in-law said, wagging a finger. ”I told you to get a hobby.”
Simone accepted the lemonade from the maid. Meredith gave her a knowing smile. Usually when visiting, Simone would slip off to sit and chat with her instead of her in-laws. The maid left and Simone met Mother Livingston's unwavering stare. ”Has Keith told you?”
”Told me what, dear? That you've been having trouble adjusting?”
Simone frowned. ”Is that how he put it?”
Her mother in-law set down the gla.s.s of lemonade. She flashed that smile that Simone never trusted and spoke to her softly. ”You and Keith have hit a rough patch! There, I said it.” She threw her arms up. ”My son is pretty torn apart over it. To be honest, I was coming out to visit you, but you know I'm not one to pry.”
”Of course.”
”Simone, my son is doing everything in his power to make you happy. He's given you the world, hasn't he?”
Simone held her tongue. She squeezed the cool gla.s.s of lemonade for restraint.
”He wants to start a family and well, you still aren't pregnant. We talked about this. Remember? If you were to get pregnant, it would be the ingredient that's missing for you two. These squabbles would go away.”
”I agree.”
”You do?”
”Yes ma'am. That's why I'm here,” Simone said.
”Really.”