“Do you think I haven’t missed you?” His voice was a little husky. “My best friend, my little girl? They told me that it was better for you if I didn’t see you, that I’d disturb you and make you sad when I had to leave.”

“I wouldn’t have cared.”

“I cared for you. I told them everything had to be just right for you after you got hurt. You had to be treated like a princess, and nothing must hurt you. They did what I told them, didn’t they?”

“Yes, no one hurt me.”

Eve’s nails dug into her palms. No, nothing hurt Beth because of the drugs that kept her from feeling. She wanted to scream that out at him. Beth’s face was radiant with love and joy, and she was believing every word he said.

And heaven help her, Eve was beginning to believe him, too. Rick Avery’s voice was deep with feeling, and his words utterly sincere. Maybe he did believe that what he was saying was true. Maybe Nelda had been so convincing that he had believed her without question. Why not? It would have been easy to believe that Beth didn’t need him, and he should go on with his life.

What was she thinking? This man preyed on young girls. He was indirectly responsible for the death of that twelve-year-old at the chalet. “Don’t listen to him, Beth.”

But it was Eve Beth wasn’t hearing. Beth was totally focused, totally absorbed in her father. She was paying no attention to Eve. “I knew that you weren’t to blame. I still have my key, Rick. When I saw it, I knew that you hadn’t stopped caring about me.”

“Of course I care about you. Nelda gave me reports about you every month.” He paused. “But I’ve been so worried about you since you left the hospital. Why did you do that? Everyone wants to do what’s best for you. Nelda said it was some young orderly who filled your head with lies and caused you to run away.” He added harshly, “I wanted to break his neck for putting you in danger like that. You weren’t prepared to face life outside of the hospital. Anything could have happened. Everyone was searching for you, even the police. Did you know that?”

“Yes, and Billy is my friend. He wanted to help me. He could see that I wasn’t really sick.”

“You are sick,” Rick said gently. “All the doctors say that’s true. You have to believe it, so that we can try to get you well.”

“And keep me there another ten years or more?” Beth asked jerkily. “I’m not sick. I’m not crazy. Eve says that it was all a plot.”

“Do you know how paranoid that sounds?”

“Rick, you have to believe me. Please.”

“I want to believe you. Do you think I wouldn’t be over the moon if I thought you were getting well after all this time? But Dr. Pierce says that you haven’t altered the—”

“Pierce is dead.”

“What?”

“You didn’t know? A car accident here in L.A. At least the police think it’s an accident. Joe and Eve aren’t sure it’s not murder.”

“Good God, it’s no wonder you’re paranoid with them pouring poison like that in your ears. Dr. Pierce took care of you for years, and your half sister appears on the scene, and you forget everything he did for you.”

Eve couldn’t let that go by without a response. “Imprisonment, drug addiction, theft of everything that made life worth living.” She was speaking loud enough so that he could hear her. “That’s what Pierce did for her, Avery.”

“You’re mistaken,” Rick said. “And I’m sorry that you feel that way. It’s clear that you wish to help Beth and I’m grateful. But you couldn’t be more wrong. You don’t believe her, do you, Beth?”

Beth looked at Eve. “I think I do, Rick. Things have … happened.”

Silence. “Then we have to talk this out. I was just going to ask you to come back to the hospital with me, but I want to be fair. If there’s any possibility that you’re right, I’ll be there for you. We’ll get everything straightened out, and I’ll take you home with me. But if you can’t convince me, then you’ll go back to therapy. Maybe a new doctor at a facility close to me, so I can visit you. It’s what I always wanted anyway.”

“Close to you?” Beth repeated. “I will convince you, Rick. I swear there’s nothing wrong with me.”

“You’re already convincing me.” He chuckled. “Now you remind me of my tough, beautiful girl who put all those other girls in your school in the shade.”

“You’re the only one who ever called me beautiful.” Her hand reached up and clasped the key pendant. “They say … something happened at the chalet that night. I don’t remember, but I know it wasn’t your fault.”

“You don’t remember?” He sounded suddenly relieved. “Then it’s better forgotten. We’ll start new and bright after we get all this straightened out.” He added crisply, “I’d come to you, but we couldn’t really talk with you surrounded by all those people who think I’m not doing what’s best for you. It’s better if you come to me.”

Beth frowned. “South Carolina?”

“No, I’m in Los Angeles. Nelda said that no one could find you but that I might be able to help. As soon as I knew you needed me, I hopped a plane and came here.”

“A little late,” Eve said. But she had little hope that it would have any effect. “And, of course, Nelda had no ulterior motive.”

“I won’t let you malign my mother. She wants me to be happy and Beth to get well. That’s her only agenda. Beth, will you come to me so that we can talk?”

“No!” Eve said.

“Where are you?” Beth asked.

“I had to keep away from the big hotels. The media are always after me these days. I’m at a small beach house near Malibu. As soon as you get on the way, I’ll give you the address.”

“She’s not going,” Eve said. “I don’t trust you or your mother or whatever slimeballs you might have waiting for Beth.”

“I’ll be alone. I promise, Beth.” He paused. “But you’ll have to be alone, too. Don’t bring Quinn or your friend, Billy. They would only get in the way. I love you. I’ve always loved you. Will you trust me?”

Beth spoke without even a hesitation. “I trust you. I’m coming, Rick.” She hung up.

“Don’t be crazy, Beth,” Eve said. “It’s a trap.”

“It’s not a trap. Couldn’t you tell? Rick meant every word he said. He’s never lied to me.” She met her gaze as she got to her feet. “He cares about me.”

She couldn’t argue with Rick Avery’s sincerity. It was no wonder Beth had believed him. Eve had tried to punch holes in his words, but she couldn’t fault that part of his story. She could see how Sandra, and now Beth, had been caught and held by him all these years. If he was a liar, he was the greatest one she had ever met. “So he appeared to be telling the truth. It doesn’t mean that he’s not being used.”

“What if he’s not? We’re not sure if his mother is to blame for what happened. I can’t remember anything. Maybe it was all Pierce’s fault, his plan.” Her eyes were glittering in her taut face, and her expression was alight with excitement. “I have to go to Rick. He wants to talk to me. We may be able to go home together.”

“You’ve never had a home with him,” she said in despair.

“Not because he didn’t want to give me a home. It was just … difficult.” She gazed at Eve pleadingly. “It’s my chance, Eve. I don’t want to turn my back on it.”

“It’s a trap.”

“No. Rick wouldn’t do that.” She turned and started toward the garden gate. “I’m going. Don’t try to stop me.”

She meant it, and there was no way to argue her out of it.

“Okay, I won’t.” She jumped to her feet and strode toward the gate. “But I’m going with you. Don’t argue. You’re not going alone. I’ll drive you.”

“Rick told me not to bring—”

“Then Rick will have to change his mind,” she said grimly. “You can leave Newell and Joe out of the mix, but you’re not going to leave this house without me. I’m going with you, I’m taking my gun, and I’m going to search that beach house before you take a step inside it.”

“It’s going to be all right, Eve,” Beth said. “I feel it. Whatever you believe about his mother, I know Rick is a good guy. I just have to show him that I’m not a mental case, then we’ll put our heads together to try to find out what happened to me.”