“Why don’t you tell her the truth?” Carter steps up beside me.
Cody also returns to my side.
“What truth?”
“You have immunity, so why not tell her everything?” Glaring at her, Carter crosses his arms.
“Agent Carter, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I turn to him. “What’s going on?”
“Once Vince found out Valerie got full immunity, he had a lot to say. According to him, the entire plot to kill Lawrence and Louis was Valerie’s idea so that she could take over the business. Vince claims Lawrence told her six months ago he wanted a divorce, but she said no and told him she’d fight it every step of the way.”
I glance back at my mom. “Dad wanted a divorce?”
My mom takes my hand. “Lucy, all couples have their ups and downs. Lawrence and I had a little more up and down than most. We both tossed around threats of divorce over the years, but neither of us was actually going to follow through.”
“No, you made sure of that,” Carter inserts. “Once you knew he was serious, you set this plot in motion. Everyone thought you were the meek wife, doing whatever Lawrence told you. Great job on the immunity deal.” He claps. “It’s pretty ironclad. But know this, Ms. Gardiner, I’ll be watching you. You might be free today, but it won’t last.”
I step away from my mom. “You killed dad? And Uncle Louis?”
Who the hell is this woman? I knew she was cold, but I never knew she was capable of this.
“Poor Vince.” I shake my head. “You convinced him he’d be next in line, didn’t you? Why else would he have done any of this?”
I still can’t believe Vince was involved at all.
My mom glances at Cody. “People in love do stupid things. Don’t forget that.” Then she turns to Carter. “As for you, I’m not afraid of you. But you should be afraid of me.”
She turns away from all of us and walks toward the parking lot.
I’m frozen in place as I stare at her back. “Did my mom get away with murder?”
I hear Carter sigh. “Yeah, I’m afraid she did. But don’t worry, she’ll screw up, and then we’ll catch her.”
She won’t screw up. I don’t know how I know this, but I do. I also know I lost my mom today. I don’t know who that woman is, but she isn’t the woman I grew up with.
“Lucy, let me take you home.” Cody’s arm is around my shoulder.
I nod. We turn and walk away.
Connie is waiting at our car. “Hey, I saw your mom. Are you okay?”
She knew the rumors about my family. I always said they weren’t true, but she knew.
I try to give her a smile, but it falters. “I will be. I’m so happy to have you and Cody in my life.”
“I’m happy you’re in my life too.”
She gives me a hug, and deep down, I know I’ll be all right.
CHAPTER40
Lucy
“Cody,I’d rather we just stay in today. We can go out for pizza tomorrow.”
I’m not sure why he is pressing this so hard. It’s been two weeks since the ceremony for Agent Carter, and one week since the media finally decided to leave me alone. Staying home in my pajamas and slippers sounds fantastic, but for some reason, he wants to get a pizza and go to Picnic Point.
