Darkness at the Edge of Town (Iris Ballard #2)(68)
“I want you to be happy, Billy. You deserve to be happy. But you’ve stumbled into quicksand, and it’s sucking you down so slowly you won’t realize you’re in it until you’re choking. And you are about to choke.” I rose from the picnic table. “Please just think about what I’ve said. Really think about it, even if it hurts. And know…I’m here. For you. To pull you out.” I walked over to my brother and kissed his cheek. He was stone still, but he let me. I looked at Betsy. “I hope I’m wrong about you, I do, but even if I’m not, the rope’s there for you too. And the baby.”
I smiled sadly at Billy, who remained stone-faced. “I love you. I am here for you. No matter what you say, no matter what you do, I am here for you. Be strong. I know you can be. I have faith in you. I love you.” And after another sad smile, I walked away.
That could have gone better, I thought as I trekked back toward the farmhouse. Okay, a small part of me thought he’d be leaving with me. I’d lay out my evidence, he’d see reason, and we’d drive home to massive fanfare. Situations like that reminded me why I kept my optimism walled away like something out of a Poe tale. I glanced back on the off chance he followed, but it wasn’t Billy trailing me, it was Ken. Oh, I really wished I’d kept my gun.
Mathias waited for me in one of the white rocking chairs on the back porch, enjoying a glass of lemonade and watching his disciples as they carried out his bidding. He gazed up at me with a smile as I approached. “Dr. Ballard. Please have a seat,” he said, gesturing to the rocking chair beside him. “Would you like a glass of lemonade?”
I sat in the chair. “No.”
Ken strolled up onto the porch and took position against one of the pillars, folding his arms across his large chest and staring right at me. If he was trying to intimidate me he would have to work a hell of a lot harder.
“How did it go with your brother?” Mathias asked pleasantly. “Once he got past the anger about your subterfuge at The Temple he was actually excited to see you. He believes he means less to you than total strangers. He’s always hated you for that,” Mathias said, sipping his lemonade as if he’d just told me the pizza had arrived. “Abandoning him. Amongst other crimes.”
Okay, that was a knife to the heart. Hearing someone you love hates you is almost as painful as getting stabbed. I knew from experience. But I also had experience pushing emotion down while in combat, and though no physical bullets were flying, this was combat nonetheless. “Yes, and I’m sure you’ve done nothing to encourage him to embrace that hate.”
“All emotions are valid, Dr. Ballard. And that hate must have stemmed from something. It was there long before the universe brought your brother to me.”
I rolled my eyes. “You do realize we’re alone, right? You can stop that benevolent guru bullshit talk. I’m not one of your vulnerable, desperate marks. The universe has nothing to do with bringing my brother under your heel, and we both know it.”
“I have no idea what you mean, Dr. Ballard. And I resent the accusation,” he said as if he meant it. Perhaps he did.
I sat back in my chair. “I do have to admit you’ve got an excellent operation going on here, especially in such a short period of time. I’m kind of impressed. You even have an experienced con artist like Megan at least half-believing in your bullshit. You should give her a raise, by the way. If you’re cutting her in. Not only does she keep the guys coming back by screwing them like you told her to, but apparently she’s branching out to some of the women as well. I’m shocked the girl can even walk.”
“Are you accusing me of promoting prostitution, Dr. Ballard? Because if you’re accusing me of any crime, this—”
“Oh, calm down. This is a family matter. You think I want the press to get wind that my brother’s in a cult? The last thing either of us wants is for more people to get involved in this nonsense,” I lied. “Although, what were you thinking when it came to my brother? I assume telling Betsy to get pregnant happened before the Woodsman when Billy was just another rube, but once you knew I still had ties to the FBI and was so high profile, you must’ve realized that unlike the others, Billy became someone who couldn’t just vanish. If I were you, I would have cut bait and run from him as fast as I could.” I narrowed my eyes at him. “The only reason you wouldn’t is money, and not the measly two grand you already fleeced my brother for. That’s what this is all about, right?” I opened my purse and Ken immediately jumped to attention. “Calm down. I’m just getting a paper and pen, asshole.” I removed them, handing them to Mathias. “Write down a number. How much for Billy and Betsy? What does the universe think they’re worth?”
Mathias stared down at the paper, then glanced at Ken, who just stared back. I could practically see them working out all the angles. Was it a trick? Could it be that easy? Could I be trusted? Of course not. I’d pay the sum, sure, but then I’d have the bastard for extortion. When he came for the cash, I’d have people watching and I’d be wearing a wire. “One of you can come to the bank right now. Half up front, half when I’m convinced Billy’s not coming back here. Just write a number so I can go the fuck back to North Carolina, and we never have to see each other again. Just write it down and let’s get on with this, asshole.”