“I wanted to tell the truth about John.Give the other side of the story.I thought I knew almost everything, but I was wrong.I’ve learned some things I wished I hadn’t.”
“Like the beating.”
“And the will.For God’s sake, I don’t want to destroy John.”
Again Pam was quiet.She frowned at her water glass, ran her thumb over its rim.
“Say something, Pam.”
“Like what?”
“Like he deserves it.”
“He does.”
“Then you should want me to write this book.”
Pam looked torn.Her response was a while in coming.“My goal isn’t to hurt John so much as to be free of him.I want him out of my way.And he will be.But it has to be done right.”
Once again, Hillary felt a premonition.“You have something in the works, you and Cutter.What is it?”
Pam eyed her sadly and shook her head.
“You can tell me.I won’t say a word.Hell, John walked out on me.I won’t hear from him again in months.”
“I can’t tell you, Hillary.I wish I could, but I can’t.”
“Because you don’t trust me?”
“No.Because I love you.It’s enough that you know something might happen.If I tell you anything more, I’ll be putting an awesome weight on your shoulders.You love John; you hate John.The less you know, the less torn you’ll be.”
“You’re taking over the company, aren’t you?”
Pam didn’t say a word.
“You’ve been courting the shareholders, and you’re going to oust John as president.”
Still Pam didn’t speak.
“Is Patricia in on this?”
“You can ask all you want, but I’m not free to say.And anyway, I don’t know much.I’m just an artist.”
“Just an artist,” Hillary echoed.“Hah.You’re the backbone of the family.”
Pam rolled her eyes.“I don’t know about that.At this point I’m spread so thin I feel like I could break apart with the slightest provocation.”
“Brendan?”
Pam shrugged, then let out a breath.“Not great.I shouldn’t have come down today, but I’ve been putting off this trip for too long.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
“Just be here if I need a friend.You always have been.I count on that.”
“I’m here.”Hillary paused.“Pam, about the book …”
“Do what you have to.I can’t tell you to stop.”
