She tried to catch Simone’s eye, but it was no use. Simone’s gaze was locked on Bobby. Anna held her breath as Simone uncurled her body into a full stand and took a dangerous step toward Nate. “Please, just put the gun away before you hurt Bobby. I promise not to run.”
“Mommy wants Daddy to put the gun down.” Nate’s knee bounced up and down fast and then faster, and Bobby stopped whimpering and substituted squeals of delight for his father’s deadly game.
“Please, Nate. You don’t need a gun, and you know it. I—I’ll do anything you say.” Tears streamed down Simone’s face, carrying with them most of her mascara. The dramatic black streaks on her ghostly white skin made for a macabre picture almost as disturbing as Bobby innocently riding a killer’s knee.
“That’s right, Bobby. Daddy doesn’t need a gun, does he? Daddy doesn’t need a gun when he’s got baby Bobby.” Nate’s heartless chant sent a chill down Anna’s spine.
Simone wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “Let’s just go home. I haven’t told anyone about…” her voice trailed off, and her eyes seemed to glaze over. “Let’s just go home. I won’t try to run away again. Not ever.”
“I’d like to believe you, babe. But I thought we came to an understanding earlier, and well, that didn’t really work out, now did it? You’re quite the little actress. In fact, you deserve a nod from the Academy for that performance you gave in Drex’s office.” The corners of his mouth curved cruelly. “Hell, you almost had me convinced you were a child abuser.”
Simone took another step forward. “You’ve got it all wrong. I tried my best to make Drex understand we’re both good parents.”
Nate hunched one shoulder. “You tried your best to convince him we’re liars. Clever, going on the defensive like that. You wanted Drex to put Bobby in the hospital. You wanted social services to take him out of our home just so you could get him away from me—his own father. And when you realized your little scheme wasn’t working, that protective services wasn’t going to take Bobby after all, you grabbed him, and you ran.”
“No. I—”
Nate clucked his tongue and bounced his knee higher. “Don’t lie to me, babe. It’ll only make things worse between us.”
Simone clasped her hands in front of her, like a supplicant in prayer. “I’m sorry. But try to put yourself in my place. I found out about Megan and Sally on Sunday, and then the next day in Drex’s office, I panicked. I realize now that you never meant to hurt those girls. I just needed more time to adjust, that’s all, Nate.”
“You won’t try to leave me again?” His posture softened along with his tone.
Simone’s hand covered her throat. “I promise.” And then her voice went dead. “I love you.”
“It feels good to admit the truth, doesn’t it?” Nate asked, and Anna heard real emotion coming through his voice. Was it possible Simone could convince her husband to hand Bobby over to her? If so, Anna needed to be prepared to act. She crouched and aimed the pistol through the crack in the door—just in case she could get off a clear shot.
Nate had a faraway look on his face, and his hold on Bobby loosened. “I didn’t have to admit the truth to you, babe. I could’ve easily convinced you I made Megan’s charm myself, and that I bought Sally’s emerald necklace at Haltom’s. But I was tired of hiding the truth from my wife. When you came home from your snoop-fest at the library, you asked me a question, and I gave you an honest answer, because I wanted you to love me for who I am. You did promise for better or for worse.” His voice turned eerily cheerful. “And after all, I killed those girls for you.”
Simone pulled distractedly at her hair. “Please don’t say that.”
“Why not? It’s the truth. Megan was going to tell you a pack of lies about how we had some big thing going on, when all that ever really happened between us was fucking. I couldn’t let her break us up, babe. Not to mention how pissed Drex would’ve been if he found out I was doing his girl.”
Simone reached her arms out for Bobby. “I won’t tell, and I won’t run away. Only please stop talking now.”
But Nate couldn’t stop talking. He kept vomiting the truth like it was a deadly toxin he had to expel or die. “Sally was even worse than Megan. Sally knew we had a brand new baby at home, and yet she still tried to steal me away from you. I only went with her because I didn’t want to touch you when you were pregnant. What if loving you had caused a miscarriage?”
“You’re a good husband, Nate.” Simone got down on her knees. “Bobby wants his mommy now.”
Nate chuckled under his breath, and his eyes darted about the room. “I bet I know what you’re thinking, babe. You’re thinking I went with Sally because she looks like Megan. You’re worried I’m still carrying a torch. But you got nothing to be jealous of. I hate Megan. In high school, she actually pretended to be pregnant and tried to get money from my father. I could never love a whore like that, and I killed her for you, so you should say thank you.”