Again, Floris didn’t seem surprised. “The llamas have been restless on and off, so I knew something was up. They’re in the barn now, and I thought some animal had stirred them up. It’s only when they stop humming and begin to quack like ducks that I know there’s real trouble.”
Hayden borrowed two flashlights, and they went down to where the animals had been closed into the barn for the night. Beyond the main pen was a wide stretch of meadow, but the picture Christy had received was of the pen itself.
When Hayden played his flashlight over the area, it didn’t take long to find the muddy corner where earth had been disturbed. Rain was no longer a downpour, but a steady dripping from trees sounded all around. The air felt cool on Christy’s face, and the smell of woods was fresh and pungent. But there was something else out there among the nearby trees—a presence. It came to her strongly—someone watching. Perhaps Deirdre herself? But any move on Hayden’s part would only precipitate flight, so she said nothing.
With a spade borrowed from Floris, Hayden thrust deeply into the soft red earth, striking something almost at once—something buried hurriedly near the surface. He lifted out a plastic bag and held it up to Christy’s flashlight. The bag contained a large book.
“Let’s go see what we’ve found,” he said. In the barn the llamas hummed among themselves, and eyes looked out curiously, caught in the passing beam of light.
Once more in the kitchen, where Floris spread newspapers over a table, Hayden examined his parcel. The book was thick, and obviously scholarly, and Oliver Vaughn’s bookplate showed on the inside cover. Looking at the title, Christy saw that it was the volume on abnormal psychology that Eve had mentioned. The section on siblings opened to a marker, and Oliver had made notations in the margin—his script cramped and hard to read.
Floris looked over Hayden’s shoulder uneasily. “Oliver came down here one time to talk about the problems I’d had growing up in a large family. He was mostly interested in how I felt about sisters. I told him that sisters come in all varieties, so most anything goes. I think he was planning an article or something on the subject.”
“Thanks, Floris,” Hayden said. “I’ll take this along and have a closer look.”
Floris came with them to the door, looking past them, as though she sensed something out among the dripping trees. “Lately I keep seeing things,” she said.
If it was Deirdre, let her be, Christy thought.
When they reached Hayden’s house, he found that his Jeep had been returned to the garage. It was wet, and muddy, but how long it had been there, there was no telling.
They hurried inside and Leonie came to let them know that Miss Harmony and Miss Dukas had gone home when it stopped raining. Hayden told her to go to bed—he would look in on Donny later.
When he’d turned on more lights in the living room, they saw Deirdre. She lay in shadow on the sofa at the far end, where Leonie hadn’t noticed her. One hand was tucked under her cheek, like a child, and her hair and clothes were soaking wet. If she had gone on foot, Christy thought, she might have been down there in the woods watching, and still have come back here before they could make the trip by car.
When Hayden touched her shoulder, she started up in fright. “It’s all right,” he told her gently. “You mustn’t run away any more. Tonight you will sleep in your own bed.”
For a moment she stared up at him, her eyes wide and doubting. Then she seemed to let go of all resistance and he gathered her slight body into his arms and carried her to the stairs. “Wait, please,” he said to Christy over his shoulder.
The book that had belonged to Oliver lay on a table, where Hayden had placed it. Christy reached to pick it up, and the moment she touched it a sense of warning flashed through her. The book was dangerous—to someone. Without a doubt, she knew that this volume held answers that would illuminate everything. Someone had been frightened enough of its contents to attempt to hide it.
But why in the llama pen? Why not in a dozen other hiding places?
She sat down beside a reading lamp and turned to the marked pages about siblings. Oliver had checked several paragraphs concerning the possessive older sister. In themselves, the passages seemed innocent enough. Perhaps he’d really been interested in the article he meant to write, and nothing else. But she knew there was more. The warning that there was a threat to someone in these pages had been clear. Perhaps to herself, as well as Deirdre?
When Hayden came downstairs he looked depressed, gloomy. “I’ve put her to bed,” he said, and came to sit across from Christy.
She tapped the open book on her lap. “Did Deirdre have a sister? An older sister?”
“It’s strange, but I’m not really sure. She loved to tell all sorts of stories about her childhood, and I could never be certain which ones she was making up. I do know that Deirdre’s mother was her father’s second wife. His first wife had died, and there may have been a half sister. Sometimes she claimed there was, though she said the older girl had quarreled with her father and gone to live with an aunt. The aunt has since died, so that story could never be checked. Other times she’d deny having any sister. Once when I asked questions, she begged me to let it go. I suspect that the sister got in touch with her at one time and said something that alarmed Deirdre—perhaps even threatened her. But whenever I tried to pin her down—just so I could help her—she would say she had no sister, and slip off in her own elusive way.”
When he came to a pause Hayden got up to light the fire against the evening’s chill. As warmth spread through the room, he drew Christy to the couch before the hearth and sat beside her.
“Deirdre’s is a very gentle madness,” he told her, watching the flames. “I’ve known for a long time that there was an imbalance there, but it always seemed harmless enough. I know there were times when she grew too keyed up and excited. She’d be full of talk about moonlight and rainbows and all those eerie tales her Irish nanny had filled her head with as a little girl. Most children outgrow fairy tales, but I don’t think Deirdre ever did. Besides, there was always something enchanting in that childlike quality. She refused to see a psychiatrist, and I never pushed. But now, what if she’s no longer harmless? What if her mind has taken some manic turn, so that she’s out of control?”
He looked somber, hopeless, and Christy could only listen as he went on.
“I’ve always felt that I could never put her away in an institution, where she would be restrained and given drugs; confined between hard bare walls. How could I do that to her bright spirit? She was such a delight when I first knew her. Mischievous and entrancing, but never malicious. It wasn’t until after Donny was born that I began to realize that I’d married an enthralling child-woman who would never grow up. There was nothing dangerous about her. In fact, she was loving toward everyone, though perhaps too easily influenced by others at times. Eve Corey would use her—boss her around, until I put a stop to that. Rose understood her better and was always kind. And Deirdre was comfortable with Nona, and sometimes listened to her. But now—I don’t know what’s happening, or how she could run off to Oliver. I suppose an—illness—like hers doesn’t stay the same. It can take turns for the worse without reason. Yet I can’t see her harming Rose—or Oliver.”
“Did she talk to you just now, while you were putting her to bed?”
“A little. She pleaded with me to let her stay and sleep in her room—where she would be safe. Pleaded, as though I were a stranger and this wasn’t her home. She’s pitifully afraid of something, but the moment I ask questions, she slips away from me. I had the feeling that she’s afraid for her life. All I can do is stay home and watch over her for a few days, try to get the truth out of her. That’s the only way I can help her.”
“I’m sorry,” Christy said. “I’m so terribly sorry.”
He took her hand and held it for a moment against his cheek. “Thank you for staying,” he said. “Th
ank you for being here.”
Events would have to take their own course, and she could only watch for some way to change what needn’t be inevitable—now that she was forewarned.
“I can get back to Nona’s by myself,” she told him. “It’s not raining, and you mustn’t leave the house now.”
But he wouldn’t let her go alone. It would only take a few moments to drive her over. When they reached the house, he left her and went straight back to Deirdre. Once more, Christy found herself watching until his headlights turned up his own driveway.
Then she went inside to warmth and light. Nona and Lili were waiting for her, and she knew the time had come to tell them everything.
She shut me in and got away!
I never thought she could be that strong. She wants me gone—dead. I know that very well. It will come down in the end to a life-or-death struggle between me and the sister I’ve always hated. And I will win.
But first I must find the means to get out of the prison in which she’s tried to lock me. The same place where I held her.
16
Christy faced the two women, knowing that questions were ready to pour out of them.
“I’ll tell you,” she said, sitting down at the kitchen table. “But please don’t ask me anything or give me advice. I’m too tired and confused to deal with anything more tonight. I just want to talk a little, and then go to bed. In the morning you can say anything you please.”
So they listened, and except for exchanging a look now and then, neither one interrupted. And if Lili consulted Josef, she did so after Christy had gone down to her room.
She got ready for bed quickly, telling herself that she wanted to think of nothing further about this whole crowded day. She had no answer to anything, and she saw how bitterly and finally Hayden had been trapped. Just as she was trapped, since there was no way out of his caring for Deirdre for the rest of her life. She must not think of her own premonitions of some danger. Not unless they could, in some way, be used to help Deirdre and Hayden.
Tonight her one comfort was the memory of that moment when he had held her hand against his cheek. With the tenderness of that gesture, he’d told her what he couldn’t put into words. If Deirdre had been less helpless, less totally dependent on him to keep her from further “escapades,” then there might have been some hope. But if Deirdre had committed murder when it came to Rose, and if she had put the snake in Oliver’s bath—there would be some terrible times ahead for Hayden.
After a long while, weariness brought restless sleep, though for once no dreams. By the time the sun touched the tops of the trees near the lower deck, she was wide awake. Awake, but far from ready to deal with whatever this day would bring.
When she’d showered and dressed, she went upstairs to find Nona getting breakfast. Lili never rose early unless she had to. Nona said her mother was leaving later on, anxious to get back to all that waited for her in her own life. She was unable to do anything more for Christy.
“Josef thinks you’ll be all right on your own now,” Nona finished.
For once, Josef was right. Christy had no need to lean on Lili or ask her advice. They had drawn closer on this visit than ever before. In her own way, Lili loved her daughter, but she could never play the role of mother for long.
Nona continued, “As soon as you’ve eaten a batch of my blueberry pancakes and have come to life a little, you and I are going over to Hayden’s. Lili can fend for herself.”
Christy wasn’t sure she was ready to see Hayden yet, but when Nona took over in that tone of voice, it was useless to oppose whatever she planned.
At least, morning was a time for hope. The mountains around Redlands stood against a washed blue sky, poplars and oaks a furry fringe along high ridges. Cows were out in the lower meadow, and a bright red cardinal sang its morning song in an oak tree. A mockingbird was awake too, mimicking cheerfully.
When they started off on foot for Hayden’s, Christy matched Nona’s stride mindlessly. She didn’t want to ask what Nona intended, she didn’t want her own thoughts to start tormenting her again. All that was ominous still lay ahead, but she would deal with it later.
Hayden came down the steps to meet them, and obviously none of the problems that weighed on him had lifted. He looked as though he’d had little rest last night.
“Donny doesn’t know yet that his mother’s home,” he told them. “He’s out playing, and Deirdre is still asleep. Once she knew I’d stay on guard, she seemed able to let go. When I left her room for a shower and breakfast, I locked her in.” He looked at Nona apologetically. “I have to do this. She can’t be trusted not to run away again, and perhaps do herself harm.”
“Of course,” Nona said. “Christy has told us about Deirdre, and that’s why I’ve come. I want to take over for a while, Hayden. You and Christy both need a break. Forget about everything here at Redlands and take Christy off somewhere pleasant. When you come back you’ll feel better able to decide about the future.”
Hayden managed a smile. “Thanks, Nona. I accept—if Christy will too. And I know where we can go. Not far away, and not for long. But first come upstairs with me so I can let Deirdre know I’m not abandoning her.”
They all went up together, and Hayden unlocked Deirdre’s door. She sat up in bed as he came in, and looked past him to Nona and Christy.
“Good morning, everyone. I’ve had a wonderful rest.” She reached out her arms happily to embrace Hayden. “Darling—you must be horribly tired. I know you stayed with me all night, and that was kind. But now you need a rest from me. I’ll be perfectly all right.”
“Of course you will be,” Nona said briskly. “I’m going to stay here for a while, to give Hayden that rest he needs. That is, if you’re willing to have me.”
Sinh had come into the room with them, and she was stalking about as though on unfamiliar territory.
Deirdre sighed. “Poor old Sinh! You don’t trust me, do you? But I’ll try to stay, home now. I was very sick for a while, but I’m much better now, and I think I’ll sleep a while longer, if nobody minds.”
The cat, however, looked as though she didn’t believe a word of this, and went haughtily out of the room.
Hayden kissed the cheek Deirdre raised to him and accepted another hug. Armed with reading material she’d picked up downstairs, Nona sat down in Deirdre’s armchair.
“When you want to get up,” she told her, “let me know. I’ll ask Leonie to bring your breakfast here. Donny doesn’t know you’re home yet, but when you’re ready we’ll bring him in.”
As Christy followed Hayden out of the room, she glanced at the book Nona had picked up and saw that it was the one they’d dug out of the llama pen last night. Good! Now Nona could read about siblings, and perhaps she could come up with some new ideas.
Once more in the Jeep, Hayden followed the road that dipped into the valley, ran past a little lake, then up toward the farther high ridge—a mountain much higher than on Hayden’s side. When they were near the top, Hayden parked under pine trees and they got out to climb the rest of the way on foot.
Beyond a stand of birches stood a high outcropping of rock, where they could sit and look out over the countryside. This was nowhere near that other pile of rock that Christy had grown to fear.
From up here the high ranges of the Blue Ridge stood clear, with mists floating below, so that peaks seemed to rise from a white sea. Below the driftings of cloud, the foothills crowded in, offering blue-green views in all directions. Just beyond where they sat hawks soared—twenty or more, playing on currents of air. A lovely sight. Inwardly, however, Christy was aware only of the man stretched out beside her, aware of her own pulse beat because of his nearness.
Nona’s house and Hayden’s were both visible on a much lower level across the valley from where they sat. They looked like miniatures from this height, with nothing stirring around them, so
that the scene seemed dreamy—almost like a make-believe stage set. Christy knew only that she was waiting.
Hayden appeared less tired now, as though he had shed the burden of Deirdre’s problems for a little while. He held his hand toward Christy, questioning, and she put her own in his. His warm fingers closed about hers, and when he began to speak, his voice was so low that she bent her head to catch his words.
“I recognized you the moment you walked into my life,” he said. “That time when you were with Donny reading to the cows. I didn’t want to recognize you. At first it was easy to deny and set myself against you. I can’t do that any more. What lies ahead may be rough going, Christy. But I know this now—I want you with me—somehow. I want you to be there.”
She answered easily, warmly. “I want to be there, Hayden.”
His hand tightened around hers, and he raised it to his cheek. “Deirdre changes with every hour. Sometimes she needs me, and sometimes she doesn’t want me near her. This long period while she was gone has made me think about her in new ways. During that time I asked myself how I would feel if she were dead; how I must act if she were found alive. It began to seem that her death would mean a release—but I couldn’t wish that for her. Now that she’s returned, I know I want to care for her, and I always will. She’s like a child—like a helpless, injured daughter. What I feel about you, Christy, is totally different. These days I’m filled with too many if-onlys, and that does me no good. I’m not sure what lies ahead, and it’s not fair to ask anything of you. But I don’t want to be fair—I need you. So if you’re willing . . .”
She knew how willing she was. Up here in this clear mountain air his words brought joy, and a lifting of her spirit.
Hayden moved suddenly, standing up. “There’s a car down on my driveway. I can’t tell from here whose it is.”
A small figure—man or woman?—got out and went up on the deck, to disappear into the house. The lovely moment between them was lost for now, and Christy stood beside him, all her senses alert to new alarm.
Rainbow in the Mist Page 28