Page 124 of Ruthless Cross

"This is nuts," her mom said, shock in her eyes. "She's a museum director."

"She was that, but she was also mentally ill. There was a big confrontation yesterday. Marcus ended up shot, and Victoria is dead."

Her mother put a hand to her mouth, her eyes wide with surprise. "She's dead? Who killed her?"

"She committed suicide. She knew that she was going to be caught."

"This is unbelievable, Callie. And people say I'm the crazy one."

"You're not crazy, but Victoria was."

"Well, I guess if she was that bad of a person, I shouldn't be sad or upset about her death. I just think of all the lunches we shared as friends. I never would have guessed she was hiding a secret life or that she even had the capability to kill anyone."

"She was very good at putting on a front." She drew in a breath. "I'm afraid thatArthur had secrets as well."

"The stolen art. His name will be ruined, won't it?"

"I think so. The press will be hounding you for interviews. It's not going to be easy, Mom. Especially not while Marcus's trial is going on. Other things may come out that could be hurtful. You need to prepare yourself."

Her mother stared back at her. "You're choosing your words very carefully. What else am I going to find out, Callie?"

She really didn't want to answer, but what choice did she have? "Arthur had an affair with Layana Vazquez."

"The portrait artist? That's why you were asking me about her the other day. She's a child. How could he sleep with her?"

"She's not a child. She's in her thirties."

"And he was in his sixties. I was right about my suspicions. I thought it was Gretchen…" Her mom stopped abruptly. "Was he sleeping with her, too?"

"Not that I know of. I believe she was selling him the stolen art."

"Well, I guess I wasn't being paranoid."

She was a little surprised and relieved that her mother hadn't burst into tears or collapsed in a heap of despair. "Your instincts were right. I'm sorry I didn't offer you more support in that regard."

"I've been wrong before, and you knew that. You probably also didn't want me to find out the truth. You always try to protect me."

"I do try, but sometimes I can't. I can't change what Arthur did. I can only help you move forward. And I hope you can find a way to do that, because he isn't worth losing the rest of your life over. Maybe that sounds harsh, but it's the way I feel. I don't care about him anymore. I care about you. I want you to be healthy and happy. You deserve that. I know you loved Arthur and I think he loved you, too, but he's gone."

Her mom slowly nodded. "I do deserve to be happy. Dr. Clarke and I have been talking a lot about my issues with self-esteem, my inability to forgive myself for your father's death, for not being a better mother to you. I have so much guilt, Callie. I hope I can make it up to you some day."

"If you're happy, you will have made it up to me."

"Then I guess I'll have to try really hard to get there. Thank you for being honest with me, for treating me with respect."

"You're more than welcome." She blew out a breath, feeling like she'd gotten the worst behind her. "I can come back this afternoon if Dr. Clarke discharges you. I can take you to my apartment. You can stay there as long as you want."

"You only have one bedroom."

"I'll sleep on the couch; it's not a big deal."

"No. I'm going home. To my house."

"It will only be your house for a year, Mom. The trust specifies after that time, it has to be sold."

"Then I have a year. I'm going to take it. That will give me time to figure out where I want to be and what I want to do." She paused. "I wonder who will get Victoria's job."

"I have no idea."

---