“Like tell the world why she became catatonic after the accident.”
“She was overcome with grief.”
“She was overcome with guilt.”
“Because she wasn’t the one to die.Any woman who loved her husband the way my mother did my father would feel the same.”
John shook his head.“There was more to her guilt than that.She was responsible for that accident.”
Now he had her attention.“Are you saying that she was the one driving after all?”
“No.She was the one who upset Eugene so much that he drove through that light.”
“They never knew whether he drove through the light or skidded.”
“Either way, he was driving recklessly, and it was because of what she’d done.”
“But she was in the car with him.If she’d done something so awful, he’d have taken off alone.”
“She followed him into the car to calm him down.”
Pam continued to hold the knife like a spike rising from her chest, but its tip wavered.“They had their fights, but it was never so bad that Daddy would have raced off into an accident.”
“It was this time.”
“Why?What had she done?”
“She slept with another man.”
“You lie!She wouldn’t have done that!”
“She did.He found them together.”
“Youlie.”
He stared at her, waiting for her to make the connection.He knew she would.She wasn’t dumb.
The tip of the knife came up at the very same time as a look of loathing so intense as to be palatable came to her eyes.
“Get out,” she whispered.
Given the excuse, he straightened his shoulders and backed away from the knife.He kept his voice low.“I’ll spread the word, Pam, and I’ll let it be known that she was the seducer.Then I’ll tell her what I’ve done.Think she can bear up under that kind of shame?”
“Can you?”
“I have a solid image.I also have a PR department that can make me come out smelling like a rose.I’m not fragile.Your mother is.”
“Get out.”
“I’m going,” he said.She was upset.He had made his point.From the kitchen door, he turned and said, “So if you want what little is left of your mother’s mental health salvaged, I’d watch it with Cutter.I’ll go public, Pam.I’ll destroy her and then get permanent control over her stock.”
“Over my dead body.”
“If it comes to that, fine.I don’t have any more use for you than I do for her.”
“Get out,” she said again, coming slowly toward him this time.“And don’t you ever set foot in this apartment again.Your presence soils it.”
“I mean every word I say.”