Page 89 of Arrogant and Merciless

"May I speak with you for a moment?"

"Is this about my grandmother?"

"No, it’s about . . .your mother."

"What?"

"I don’t have much to tell you, but it might be important." She keeps her eyes on the floor the entire time, reinforcing the impression I’ve always had—that she’s more like a nun than a housekeeper. Does she ever interact with men?

"Go on."

"Taylor hasn’t come here again, even after she returned. I noticed her relationship with your grandmother changed," she starts hesitantly, and my patience, already short, wears thin.

I’ve never liked Sherie, and I see no reason to waste time with idle talk. "What do you want?"

"Your father had something to do with Taylor’s disappearance, and your mother knew about it from the beginning."

"What? What the hell are you talking about?"

She finally looks up at me, her face so red I worry she might faint. "You know I used to go to your parents’ house twice a week, don’t you?"

"Yes." It was a strange arrangement, but it seemed like my grandmother’s housekeeper preferred being around my mother than Maryann.

"I overheard a conversation between them. Taylor had already disappeared, and your father was telling your mother that he wanted a divorce because he was going to marry the girl. Your mother went hysterical. She accused Taylor of seducing him, but that’s not true. I don’t have all the answers, Mr. William, but I do know it was your father who was after Taylor here at your grandmother’s house. He started coming at odd hours after she began working, and I never once saw her giving him any opening."

My mind spins like a kaleidoscope, scattered pieces mixing without making any sense. "When did you hear this conversation?"

"I don’t remember the exact day, but I know it was months after Taylor had disappeared. He met with your mother and then asked for a divorce."

"Why are you telling me this now?"

"Because I resigned yesterday. I’m leaving. Going back to my town in South Dakota."

I think she’s spoken more today than in her entire life. "That still doesn’t explain why you’re telling me this, ma’am."

"I was . . .I amin love with you. Ever since I started working here, I dreamed for years that, at some point, you’d notice me—like in a fairy tale. But when I saw you watching Taylor in the rain, I knew she was the only one for you. You might think I’m crazy, but my love is real, and seeing you happy will make me happy. I believe Taylor was caught in a web of lies. As I said before, I don’t have all the answers, but if I had to bet, it would be on her innocence."

"I don’t know what to say."

"I don’t expect you to say anything." She starts to walk away.

"Does Maryann know the truth? Did you tell her too?"

"About your parents? No. Goodbye, William."

* * *

"Why did you accuse her, Mother?"

"I was sick, William."

A few months ago, she was released from the clinic where I had her committed to treat her depression. She might not be fully recovered, but she’s going out again and has even started seeing a retired judge.

However, one thing hasn’t changed—she’s still as selfish and self-centered as ever.

"That doesn’t justify it. You knew I was looking for her."

"I didn’t know what you felt for her. I thought it was just a passing fling. You’ve had so many women . . .”

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