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“When Dad heard what Tina said about the lady in the painting, heard what Rooney said about seeing Caroline, he began to suspect what was happening. I think the realization brought on his heart attack. I only wish he’d confided in me. Of course he had absolutely no proof. But that was why he told me to urge Erich to allow you and the girls to visit him.”
“Mrs. Krueger.” Sheriff Gunderson’s voice was hesitant. Was he afraid she would keep blaming him? “Dr. Philstrom from the hospital is here. We had him look at what’s in the cabin. He has to talk to you.”
“Je
“He was angry because I tried to tell him that maybe he was wrong about me.”
“Did he mention the girls?”
“He said they were fine.”
“How long since he put them on to talk to you?”
“Nine days.”
“I see. Je
A whisper of hope. “You mean they may not be dead?”
“I don’t want to encourage you unfairly. But think about it. Erich still fantasizes living with you, having you under his total power once he has that confession signed. He knows that without the children he can’t hold you. So until he perceives a reunion with you as being hopeless, there’s a chance, just a chance… ”
Je
But Rooney hadn’t known. For ten years now Rooney had waited for Arden to come home. And all the time Arden’s body was buried within sight of Rooney’s windows.
How often had she seen Rooney standing over Caroline’s grave. Was it because something had compelled her to go there? Something deep in her subconscious that had told her she was visiting Arden’s grave too?
She asked Dr. Philstrom about that, asked him gravely, heard her voice almost childlike. “Is that possible, doctor?”
“I don’t know, Je
“I want my children,” Je
“You’re talking about a totally irrational man,” Dr. Philstrom said. “A man who wanted you because you bear a startling resemblance to his mother, yet hated you for replacing her; who could not trust your love for him because he perceives himself as unlovable and who lived in mortal fear of losing you.”
“We’re going to make up flyers, Mrs. Krueger,” the sheriff said. “We’ll have their pictures in every hamlet in Mi
The ringing of the telephone made them all jump. Sheriff Gunderson reached to pick it up. Some instinct made Je
“Hello.” Her voice so unsteady. Would it be Erich? Oh, God, would it be Erich?
“Hello, Mommy.”
It was Beth.
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Beth!” She closed her eyes, jammed her knuckles against her mouth. Beth was still alive. Whatever he pla
She felt Mark’s hands, those strong hands on her shoulders, steadying her. She held out the receiver so he could try to listen too.
“Beth, hello, darling.” She tried to sound carefree and pleased. It was so hard not to scream, Beth, where are you? “Are you having a good time with Daddy?”
“Mommy, you’re mean. You came into our room last night and you wouldn’t talk to us. And you covered Tina too tight.”
Beth’s plaintive voice was high-pitched enough for Mark to hear. She saw the agony in his eyes, knew it was reflected in her own. Covered Tina too tight. No. No. Please, God. No. The baby. Now Tina.
“Tina cried so hard.”
“Tina cried.” Je
Now Beth began to cry. “I love you too, Mommy. Please come soon.”
“Mommy.” Tina’s helpless sobbing. “You hurt me. The blanket was in my face.”
“Tina, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” Je
There was a clunk as the phone was moved, then Tina’s wail.
“Je
“Erich.” Je
She felt Mark’s grip on her shoulder, cautioning her. “I mean I need my family, Erich.” She forced her voice to calm, bit her lips over the urge to plead with him not to hurt them. “Erich, we can be so happy. I don’t know why I do such strange things when I’m asleep but you promised to take care of me. I’m sure I’ll get better.”
“You were going to leave me, Je
“Erich, come home and we’ll talk. Or let me send the letter to you. Tell me where you are.”
“Have you talked to anyone about us?”
Je
“I tried to phone you three times yesterday afternoon. You were out.”
“Erich, I hadn’t heard from you for so long. I needed to get some fresh air. I skied for a while. I want to be able to ski with you again. We had such fun, remember?”
“I tried to phone Mark last evening. He wasn’t home. Were you with him?”
“Erich, I was here. I’m always here waiting for you.” Tina was screaming now. From the background she could hear road sounds again, like heavy trucks shifting gears on a grade. Could Erich have been at the farm last night? If so had he gone to the cabin? No, if he had been in the cabin and seen the broken window, realized that people had been there, he wouldn’t be calling now.
“Je
“Yes, Erich, yes. Yes. I promise.”
“Mommy, I want to talk to Mommy.” Beth’s pleading. “Please, please…”
There was a sharp, clicking sound and the dial tone began to hum in her ear.
Je
“Because he has my suitcases with him now,” Je
“Je
“But Tina-last night…”
“You have that answer. He tried to phone you in the afternoon and you were gone. He tried to phone Mark in the evening and couldn’t reach him. It’s unca