The Good Liar(94)

So Kaitlyn did what he said. When a new e-mail from Franny came in, she deleted it without reading it. She never answered. She didn’t even block her because that might be seen as some point of connection, a conversation.

In the weeks before October tenth, Kaitlyn had a lot on her mind. Mostly to do with Cecily and Tom, and the fact that they were getting divorced. Cecily was torn up about it, but Kaitlyn thought only of the relief it might bring. Maybe she should get divorced, too. Not to marry Tom, that wasn’t what she wanted. But to make some major changes in her life. To come clean with someone, herself at least. And the thought of having some time to herself, the weeks when Joshua would have the girls . . . That was appealing. Too appealing. She began to fantasize about it as she used to do about Tom’s messages.

She’d sat at her desk that morning waiting, waiting. Knowing the meeting between Tom and Cecily was going to begin at ten a few floors above her. Then the e-mails started. Constant, relentless. She wanted it to stop. She’d gotten up from her desk and almost run to the elevator. She barely remembered the ride down, the exit into the lobby. Then the explosion. Then she was out in the street, running again. She’d been running ever since.

Franny entered the bar, a scarf tied around her head and big glasses over her eyes. Kaitlyn cursed to herself. Always the drama queen, needing attention wherever she went. Franny was the one who was going to get them caught. She should’ve met her in the park and brained her with a rock. And good riddance.

The violence of this thought surprised her. She wondered if she could pull it off. But that would be too easy for Franny. She hit a button on her phone and turned it over so it was facedown on the table as Franny sat.

“I can’t believe this,” Franny said. “You’re alive.”

“I’m alive.”

“But why, Mom? How?”

“Stop calling me that.”

Kaitlyn knew she shouldn’t let Franny get to her, but she couldn’t help it.

“You said I could call you that.”

“I never . . . Never mind. Thank you for coming.”

“I can’t believe it. You’re here. We’re going to be together.”

“I’m here.”

“This is so great. It’s what I’ve always wanted.”

“What about Joshua?”

“What about him?”

“If I’m alive, you can’t marry him.”

A smile crossed Franny’s face that Kaitlyn could only describe as creepy. “That’ll work out. Joshua’s such a sweetie.”

“You’re unbelievable.”

“That’s not a nice thing to say.”

“I’m not feeling very nice right now. So, how did you do it?”

“Do what?”

“The explosion. I can’t work it out.”

The smile dropped from Franny’s face. She looked around her. She seemed scared.

“No one’s here,” Kaitlyn said. “It’s just you and me. How’d you do it?”

“I didn’t do anything.”

“Oh, come on. October tenth at ten a.m.? October tenth is your birthday, and you used to write me at ten a.m. every day. I should’ve seen it right away, but I had my own . . . I was distracted. I know you did it. I just want to know how.”

“Don’t you want to know why?”

“I’ve got the why. It’s me. Some form of punishment because you felt rejected.”

“You did reject me. Over and over again, my whole life.”

“For the last time, Franny, or Eileen, or whoever the hell you are, I’m not your mother.”

“You are. I had a DNA test done.”

“No, you didn’t. I never gave you my DNA.”

“Yes, you did.”

Kaitlyn was back in the terrible merry-go-round. What was there to say to this girl?

“When? How?”

“Okay, fine. So I took a glass you left at a restaurant, okay? So what. It’s the results that count.”

“You what?”

“You kept lying and lying. What choice did I have? You’re my mother.”

Kaitlyn closed her eyes. When had she lost control of this conversation? This wasn’t going to work. Threats never worked with Franny. She knew. She’d tried. There was only one choice.

She opened her eyes and did her best to smile.

“Okay, Franny. You win.”

“You admit it? You admit you’re my mother.”

“Yes.”

“Why are you admitting this now? After all this time?”

“Because I’m tired. I’m tired of denying it. Of running.”

Franny started to cry. “I can’t believe it. It’s happening, it’s finally happening.”

Kaitlyn reached across the table. She felt sick to her stomach as she stroked the back of Franny’s hand.

“I’m sorry I lied to you.”

“Why did you?”

“I’ll tell you everything, okay? But I need you to be honest with me. I need you to tell me how you blew up the building.”

“Why do you want to know?”

“Because I want to be close to you. But there can’t be any secrets between us for that to happen. So tell me. I want to understand.”