“Esther Williams? I’m … confused. Why did you come, Darcy?”
“Why did you come?” Darcy asked. “Norwalk. Cara. Michael. Kaskov was the only one offering me an opportunity. But I had to pretend to be you to take advantage of it.” She waved her hand dismissively. “I’ll tell you all about it later.” Her gaze went back to the burning island. “It was worth it. I did help with Cara. My only regret is Norwalk. I promised Sylvie I’d make him pay. I didn’t do it.”
“I think perhaps you did,” she said gently. “Or maybe Sylvie helped a little.” She was remembering Norwalk’s wild eyes and confusion as he’d stared at her during those last moments. And what had prompted Eve to bring up that claim that she was also a twin that had so upset him? It had all come out of nowhere. She reached out and touched the sodden, red-brown hair clinging around Darcy’s face. “Joe said we should all head for the boats.” She took Darcy’s arm and nudged her down the path. “Suppose you and I go ahead and lead the way. There’s something I should tell you…”
CHAPTER
19
LAKE COTTAGE
“Dad says he’s going to barbecue tonight,” Michael said. “Sort of a welcome home. Isn’t that a good idea?”
“A very good idea,” Eve said. “Is Cara with him? I haven’t seen her since we got home.” But then they had only arrived a few hours ago. They’d taken a flight out of New Orleans immediately after they’d arrived at Kaskov’s dock. Only Darcy had decided to stay behind to take time to get rid of the remnants of the wig and makeup, and told them she’d join them the next day.
“She was down by the lake.” He went to the railing of the porch. “There she is.” He waved at Cara. “She has her violin.”
And she was starting to play. Mendelssohn.
Eve stood there, listening.
Beauty to sing to the spirit and free the soul.
“She’ll be better now,” Michael said as he went to the porch swing and dropped down on the cushions. “It was bad for her, Mama. She doesn’t understand ugliness. It hurts her. But the music will make her all well again.” He smiled. “It’s doing it now. Can’t you feel it?”
“Maybe not as well as you can.” She sat down beside him and put her arm around him. “But, yes, I feel it.” Jock had asked her to take care of Cara, but she was already taking care of herself. She was reaching out to the one source that she knew could make her whole again. That’s what they were all doing. Joe was going back to the small, wonderful tasks that made them a family. Eve was holding, watching, keeping guard.
But what was Michael doing? He appeared perfectly normal and loving, but she had been at her most vigilant in watching him. Yes, he was unusual and unique, but he was also a six-year-old child. “Do you want to go down and help your dad?”
He shook his head. “I’ll go down later. I’ll stay with you for a while.”
Because he knew that she needed him? Was he trying to heal her, too? “It’s nice sitting here and listening to Cara. She’s delayed her visit to Kaskov and she’ll be going back to school next week.” She paused. “And so will you, Michael. Your dad and I have been talking about it, and we’ve decided that maybe you should go to another school. We’re going to tell everyone that we were mistaken about your being in that ice-cream shop, that a relative had picked you up. But things might still be—it could be sad for you.”
He nodded. “It is sad for me.” He laid his head on her shoulder. “But it will be more sad for everyone else. I’d remind them, wouldn’t I, Mama?”
The only survivor from that terrible tragedy? “Yes, I’m sorry, but that’s true.”
“And families need to remember them all alive and happy. It’s going to be hard for them to go on if they don’t. It’s like what you do with the skulls. They have to believe they’ve come home to them.”
“I guess it’s something like that,” she said huskily. “So is it okay with you if we sign you up in another school?”
He nodded. “But maybe not right away? Is it all right if we go to London to see Jane? I haven’t seen her for a few months, and you said she was busy with her paintings. Maybe I could even go to school there for a little while.”
She looked at him in surprise. “I guess we could. If that’s what you want.”
“That’s what I want. Then we’ll find a great new school here. Maybe I’ll even play soccer again.”
And maybe he wouldn’t. But he’d slip seamlessly into the new regime after giving everyone a chance to forget who he was and start their healing. Her arm tightened around his shoulders. “I think that’s a very good idea. Anything else on your wish list?”
“Just one.” He was silent for a moment. “Remember that last day when Gary came running up and said he wanted to see your face because he’d been told it would make him feel better to know who you were.”
She nodded. “And your dad and I thought it was you who had talked to him.”
He shook his head. “Not me. But I was wondering … Would there have been a reason for Gary’s mom to want you to … help her with him?”
She remembered Gary’s terribly damaged face, which she’d looked at when she’d been searching for Michael. “It’s possible.”
He looked soberly up at her. “Then will you call her right away and ask if you can help? I think maybe that would make Gary and his dad feel better if his mom was happier.”
“I’ll offer,” she said gently. “Almost a week has passed. It may be too late.”
“I don’t think it is. Maybe when real bad things happen, we sometimes get a break.” He leaned back against her, his eyes on Cara. “She’s switched to the Tchaikovsky. I like that better. She says it soars, Mama. What do you think?”
“I think she’s right,” she said unsteadily as she pressed her lips to the top of his head. “I believe there’s definitely some soaring going on, Michael.”
BELLE GRACE
Kaskov was back.
Darcy drew a deep breath as she saw the huge white speedboat pulling up at the dock. It was almost nine at night, and she’d thought he’d be here earlier. But what did she know about what Kaskov did or didn’t do? He was careful to make certain that no one really knew him and made it clear he didn’t appreciate her attempts in that direction. And that was fine with her. Their encounters had been filled with tension, and even danger, and she wanted no more of it. She wanted peace and good times and to be totally in control of her life.
Well, she was almost through with dealing with him, and she wouldn’t have to think about it for much longer. Or would she? Cara’s connection to him would almost assure that she would also have some kind of connection. Because she would never give up her friendship with Cara. But that would be okay, she assured herself. Darcy would see that Kaskov would be a very distant connection.
Worry about it later. Right now, she had to finish what she had on her list and move on. She tidied her hair and swept majestically down the grand staircase. She would miss the feeling of cloning Scarlett O’Hara after she left this—
“Much better,” Kaskov said dryly from the foyer, looking up at her. “I like Eve’s look, but I much prefer you as a blonde.” He looked at her peacock-colored maxi skirt and purple halter top. “Is this all for me? I think I told you I was content with the arrangement I have.”
“Don’t be silly. We both know you’d never seduce any of Cara’s friends. Besides, you find me a little disruptive,” she said as she reached the foyer. “I just wanted to leave a lasting memory on this old house.” She grimaced. “And after trekking in that stinking swamp, I needed to remind myself who I am.”