The Shadow Box(47)
What if Conor was part of Griffin’s force? No matter what I wanted to believe, that Conor was good, that he wouldn’t finish the job Griffin had started and kill me, I couldn’t take the chance.
One thing I knew was that I had to get out of here. That had been too close a call. I didn’t know where I would go, but my refuge in the woods was no longer safe.
ONE DAY EARLIER
26
SALLIE
Dear Ford,
I don’t know what I did to lead you on. I don’t believe I did anything. You are the son of clients of mine, and I thought you were a nice young man. When you came to swim in the Hawkes’ pool, I enjoyed our brief conversations.
I will never understand what led you to accost my husband in our driveway, speak such garbage about me in front of our children. Did you intend to destroy my family? Did your fantasy about me—whatever it is—really convince you that I would ever want to be with someone who could do such a cruel thing?
Talking to Dan about “spring break” . . . who even cares what you meant? It just shows how young you are, a college boy who doesn’t understand that people grow up, live complicated lives, try their best.
You are deeply troubled. You are delusional. I care nothing for you, but I encourage you to get help, so you don’t hurt my family or anyone else again.
Ford, if you ever come close to me, my husband, or especially my children again, you will regret it mightily. The fact your father has a position of power means absolutely nothing to me. You are sick, and yesterday’s criminal behavior proved it. The police won’t be swayed by a pathetic little boy saying Daddy will keep him out of trouble.
Stay away.
—Sallie Benson
On Thursday morning, the day after Ford told Dan about Edward, Sallie sat at her desk and wrote the letter. When she finished, she stared at it for a long time, deciding what to do. No words on a page could do justice to how she felt, how Ford Chase had bulldozed her family, crushed the spirit out of them.
She had actually been excited about going away for the weekend. The whole family had planned to go shopping after Dan got home from work, let the kids pick out all sorts of treats to have on the boat. As an extra surprise, they were going to go to Barks and Purrs in the mall, to buy a special tiny life jacket for Maggie.
Now the trip was off—or at least it was for Sallie. She felt as if she deserved the hate she saw in Dan’s eyes, the devastation in Gwen’s and Charlie’s. Ford had reeked of alcohol, slurring the disgusting words he said about her, telling Dan about her affair with Edward Hawke.
“What’s an affair?” Charlie had asked, sobbing and throwing his arms around her waist—not because he understood what Ford was saying but because he sensed the violence of the moment.
“It’s nothing,” Sallie said, wanting to block his ears, rush the children into the house. But Dan stopped her, gripping her wrist and tugging hard.
“It means Mommy loves someone else,” Dan said. “And she’s going to be with him instead of us now.”
“Dan, that’s not true! Never! Please, let’s go inside.”
Gwen stood there silently, staring at Sallie.
“Come on, honey, we’re going into the house,” Sallie said, touching her shoulder.
“It’s better they know who you are,” Ford said, staring at her. “Right now, while they’re so young, instead of spending their lives, all through middle and high school, hoping their mother is the sweet person they want her to be instead of who she really is.”
“Get out of my yard,” Dan said.
“You’re defending her?” Ford asked.
“No, but I’m going to beat the shit out of you if you don’t get into your car and drive away. Then I’ll call the cops on you for drunk driving and breach of peace.”
“Good luck,” Ford said. “And by the way, I know what you did too.”
“What I did?”
“Yeah. Spring break ring a bell?”
Sallie turned to look at Dan. He was staring at Ford with disbelief.
“Ellen Fielding wasn’t the only girl to drown, was she?” Ford asked.
“That’s enough,” Dan said.
“How much have you told your wife? Maybe that’s why she cheated. She knows the kind of guy you are. Right, Sallie?”
She didn’t reply.
“Perfect people in a perfect town,” Ford said. “Anyway, nice talking to you both. Enjoy life knowing each other’s secrets.”
Dan seemed frozen with shock as Ford got into his car, backed out of the driveway, and screeched away. Sallie took a step toward Dan, but he shook her off.
“Don’t,” he said.
“What was he talking about?” Sallie asked. “Spring break?”
“Are you kidding?” Dan asked. “He’s a maniac, just stirring up trouble.”
“What girl drowned? And who’s Ellen Fielding?” Sallie asked.
“You’re confronting me?” he asked. “After what I just heard?”
She glanced at the children. They were both crying.
“Mommy, Daddy, don’t fight!” Gwen said. Charlie clung to Sallie.
“Let’s go for a ride, kids,” Dan said. “And we’ll get ready to go to Block Island. Maybe we’ll play mini golf and get an ice cream. Mommy’s not going to come. She has other things to do. But we’ll have fun, Gwen, Charlie—I promise.”