The Opposite of Dark (29 page)

“That's not true.”

“The truth,” Lillian replied, her voice rising, “is that Rhonda fell in love with Marcus years ago and never stopped trying to drive a wedge between him and me.”

“You're the one who had the affairs, Mother.”

“And Rhonda couldn't wait to tell Marcus about them, but he knew she was trying to break us up. She was so smug and self-righteous from her perch until I forced her into the muck by seducing her husband.”

“That was disgusting.”

“And a mistake. It made destroying my marriage so much easier for her.”

“You expect me to believe that?”

“Do you think Rhonda wanted you to know that she planned to ruin my life? She's been terrified of the truth for years, Casey. And the truth is she'd been obsessed with Marcus since you were a toddler.”

Memories of conversations began to surface: arguments between her mother and Rhonda; Mother warning Rhonda to keep her mouth shut; Rhonda threatening to ruin her.

“Did Rhonda actually tell you she was in love with Dad back then?”

“No, but I could see it in her face.”

Casey didn't try to hide her contempt. “Why is it that when the conversation turns to men, you sound like a paranoid nut?” She returned Mother's scowl. “Dad fell in love with her by choice.”

“Rhonda didn't hang around me all those years without learning a thing or two about manipulation through emotional blackmail. She worked Marcus well; wore him down until he gave in.” Lillian blew a cloud of smoke into the air. “In some ways she was good for him. But once he met Gislinde, how long do you think his interest in Rhonda lasted?”

Casey turned away. She didn't want to go down this road anymore.

“Rhonda did a marvellous job of keeping you ignorant. Offering you shelter when you were most vulnerable was especially effective.” Lillian stood. “It's time you saw things for what they are, not for what you want them to be or were conditioned to believe.”

“What I see is two middle-aged women stuck on old issues. You can't let go of Rhonda any more than you could Dad.”

Casey also saw a woman who'd spent so much time with people like Theo and Darcy that she would stoop to murder to get what she wanted. The woman had become one scary stranger.

“If I have trouble letting go,” Lillian said, “it's because Rhonda has you and that is so wrong.”

“I live my own life, Mother.”

“How's that possible when you live under her roof?”

“Staying here is only temporary.”

“You call two years temporary?”

“I call it none of your business.”

“You play the victim role too well, Casey. Marcus's death and your husband's infidelity made you weak. You wound up relying on anti-depressants and shrinks and Rhonda. That is not what I wanted for you. You should have lived more selfishly, my darling.”

“Like you?”

“Listen to me.” Lillian stepped closer. “I don't want you to be controled or influenced by anyone, and I don't want you to break down every time you suffer a major loss. Since we might not meet again, this is really what I wanted to tell you.”

Casey smelled her mother's lavender scent and moved away. “Was your desire to say it here based on a need to hurt Rhonda again?”

“She's already hurt herself more than I ever could. It's over. There's no point in staying to watch the end. The idea has no appeal.”

“What end?”

The door opened.

“The end of me and Lillian,” Rhonda said, entering the room.

The hatred on Rhonda's face shocked Casey. She retreated to the window seat.

Ashes fell from Lillian's cigarette as she glowered at Rhonda. “Still haven't squashed those eavesdropping tendencies, I see.”

Rhonda sauntered up to her. “Coming here was stupid, Lillian, which is why I'm happy you did, but if you were hoping to turn my daughter against me—”

“Why is
my
daughter living in your house?”

“Because she wants to.”

No, Casey thought, not anymore.

“It's only fair,” Rhonda added, “since you took my husband from me.”

“Do you think you'll ever outgrow your jealousy?” Lillian asked.

“What was I supposed to be jealous of? You whoring around at fourteen? Cheating on your husband repeatedly and intentionally destroying other people's happiness? Leaving Casey alone downstairs while you screwed someone's husband upstairs?”

“You hated that I had Marcus. Admit it.”

“Marcus only became appealing once he stopped martyring himself over a tramp like you. As for your pathetic attempts to be friends again, I always knew what you really wanted.” Rhonda's eyes blazed. “I know your soul, Lillian. We were inseparable for years, right? All you wanted was to get Casey back in your life and make sure Marcus stayed out of mine.”

Casey drew her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs. She'd never heard so much venom coming from Rhonda. Had her forgiving attitude been an act? Or had the news about the dress set her off?

“Luckily, we won't have to put up with your garbage much longer,” Rhonda went on. “Casey found the clothes and weapon in your place and handed everything to the cops.”

Casey inhaled sharply. Oh god, why was she saying this?

The cigarette nearly dropped from Lillian's hand as she turned to Casey. “What clothes?”

Casey tried to speak, but the words wouldn't come.

“The shimmery little number you wore to kill Marcus,” Rhonda blurted. “Or Gustaf, I should say.”

Casey shook her head. Why wouldn't she keep her mouth shut? “Rhonda, let the police handle—”

“Is that what you and Darcy do for fun now? Shoot and hack people to death?” Rhonda asked. “You need to find a better hobby, hon, 'cause that one really sucks.”

Lillian's puzzled expression vanished. “I didn't kill anyone,
hon
. You did.”

Rhonda glanced at Casey. “I told you she was devious.” Her hands curled into fists. “You began setting me up the day you sent me the picture of Marcus.”

“Why did you send the picture?” Casey asked.

Lillian removed what looked like a compact from her purse. When she opened the lid Casey saw a mini-ashtray. “It was just part of the game. I had no idea Rhonda would completely unhinge.” Lillian mashed the cigarette butt in the tray, closed the lid, and dropped it in her purse.

Rhonda laughed. “Smooth, Lillian, but let's not forget darling Darcy. You planted him in my house, probably to fabricate evidence against me.” She began circling Lillian. “You sent the photo and wedding invitation, which you knew would make me confront Marcus. After all, his betrayal would make a great motive for murder. Now you want to plant suspicion in Casey's head.”

Lillian looked at Casey. “She's lying. As I said before, coming here was Darcy's idea. He thinks you have the money. Since he was here, though, I suggested he look around and see if he could find evidence against Rhonda.”

“He didn't find anything because there was nothing to find!” Rhonda shouted.

“The tragic part,” Lillian said, “is that you butchered the wrong—”

“When I heard your voice, I went downstairs and called Lalonde before I came in,” Rhonda interrupted. “He's on his way.”

“I'll wait for him outside.” Lillian walked to the door.

“If she's so innocent,” Rhonda said, turning to Casey, “why's she taking off the moment I mention cops?”

As Lillian started to leave, Rhonda grabbed her arm and hauled her backward. “You're not getting away that easy!”

In an effort to break free, Lillian dropped her handbag. Rhonda held her arm with both hands.

“Stop it!” Casey jumped up from the window seat. “Both of you!”

Lillian kicked Rhonda in the shin and jerked her arm free. She grabbed Rhonda's hair and pulled her head back. Rhonda collapsed onto her knees, wrapped her arms around Lillian's legs and attempted to take her feet out from under her. Lillian hit Rhonda on the side of her head, knocking her over. Grabbing her bag, Lillian ran out of the apartment. Rhonda stumbled to the door, her eyes wild, hair twisted in all directions.

“Don't worry, she won't get away.” Rhonda wiped her face with her sleeve. “The bitch will finally get what she deserves.”

Casey's stomach churned so fast she thought she'd be sick.

CASEY DIDN'T TRY
to follow Mother. Rhonda did, and probably had her in a headlock by now. Curled up in the window seat, Casey tried to understand what Rhonda had said, to make sense of the intensity of her rage. Mother had been right about one thing. Rhonda wasn't herself these days. But Mother had been totally off base to accuse her of murder. Did she really think Rhonda could afford a sequined gown? If she'd done her homework, Mother would have known that Rhonda was at Summer's swim practice when Gustaf was killed.

Police sirens grew louder. Casey didn't want to hear Rhonda's version of events. Besides, three million dollars needed to be found before more people died. She fetched the blueprints and hurried to her car.

Eager to avoid Rhonda and the police, Casey started the engine and cruised down the back lane. Five seconds later, cold metal pressed against her neck and she gasped.

“Oh!” She hit the brakes.

The metal pressed harder. “Drive,” a familiar voice ordered.

In the rearview mirror she saw Darcy's grim face.

“You should clean your car more often.” He tossed her sleeping bag and pillow to the side.

Her heart tried to leap up her throat. “How'd you get in with a cop here?”

“He's having a little nap. Now drive.”

Sweat beaded along her lower back. “Where to?”

“The Marine Drive house.” He lifted the blueprints off the passenger's seat. “Where'd you get these?”

“Gislinde Van Akker.”

“I was right. Money's in the house.” Darcy reached over and dumped her purse's contents on the seat. “Where's the tape?”

“Tape?”

Once again, he pressed the weapon against the back of her neck. “You like Mozart, Casey?”

“Theo has it.”

Darcy thumped the side of her head with the pistol. “Wrong answer.”

Wincing, she struggled to stay calm. What in hell had Theo told him? “It's in my safe-deposit box, I swear.” She eased the vehicle forward. “I was on my way to the house to try and find the money.”

“Well, sweet thing, if I don't get the cash and tape today, I'll kill Summer and make Rhonda watch. Or maybe I'll kill Rhonda and make Summer watch.”

Casey gripped the steering wheel so hard her fingers ached. She turned right onto Commercial Drive. “The police think you killed Simone Archambault.”

“I didn't kill the old broad, Theo did. He came to Lillian's place after it happened and told her while I was listening in the bedroom.”

“Why would Theo murder Simone, then drop by to tell Mother?”

“He needed Lil to give him an alibi. Anyway, if I wanted the old girl dead, I would have shot her. Think about that.”

How long had he been carrying the pistol? “Mother came by a few minutes ago. Did you see her?”

“I was focusing on that cop in your yard.” Darcy paused. “What'd she want?”

“To apologize for things that happened in the past.” Casey turned left onto Venables.

“She did, did she?” He leaned a little closer. “Does Lil know about the tape?”

“We didn't discuss it,” Casey lied, “only talked about her and me.” She prayed Darcy believed her. If he found out she'd told her . . .

“What about you, Casey? Did you have a nice long listen to the tape?”

“For a few seconds. Dad mumbled so much I couldn't understand what he was saying.”

She tried to ignore Darcy's stare and focus on her driving. Five minutes later she reached Georgia Street. By the time they were crossing the Lions Gate Bridge into West Vancouver, his silence was frightening her more than his words.

“Mother also came to say goodbye,” Casey said. “She's leaving the country today.”

Once more, she felt the gun against her neck. “Lil wouldn't leave without me. She knows how much I love her.”

Casey swallowed back her revulsion. “She wants to get away from Theo. I think she feels betrayed by him.”

“For good reason. Anyhow, we're gettin' married as soon as we get the money. Guess that'll make me your stepdad.”

Oh, that was good news. “I'm glad you love her. She needs someone in her corner.” Casey glanced at the rearview mirror, hoping she sounded sincere. “See, the cops are about to arrest her for Gustaf Osterman's murder.”

“What are you talking about? Lillian didn't kill Gustaf.”

“Evidence was found under her sofa.”

“What evidence?”

“A bloodstained, sequined dress and the murder weapon.”