"What ever are you talking about?"
He stepped close to her and cupped her chin in the palm of one large hand. "You are a beautiful girl, Diana. Perhaps, had I met you before Patricia, things would have been different."
She felt a sudden spurt of alarm. "What do you mean, Daniel?"
"Nothing, I suppose. I do know, though, that there isn't much left for me to do. The net is drawing tight. It is not like Charlotte Amalie here."
She was growing colder and colder. She realized suddenly that she and Daniel were alone, in this isolated cave, and no one knew where she was. No, she was being silly. Daniel was just upset, as was everyone else. Had Deborah killed Moira and Charles?
"After you, Diana, it will have to be Patricia. She is not what I thought she would be. She is weak and silly and she betrayed me. With Swanson, and that damned man was a pervert!"
Diana didn't move. His fingers were lightly stroking her jaw. His voice had become oddly singsong.
"And of course, then Lucien and your husband. They must all die. I must protect myself. Surely you understand that? And my poor mother, I must protect her."
"Let us go now, Daniel. You don't know what you're saying. Please, Daniel."
"Poor Diana. I am sorry. You are not like the others. They were all so foolish, so cleverly mean to me. You really must face up to things now, you know. I can't bring myself to strangle you. But I must leave you here. I know this was a burial cave a long time ago. You won't be alone in your death."
She jerked away from him, her heart pounding, and rushed toward the cave entrance.
She was nearly there. Escape. Oh, God.
He caught her about her waist and hauled her back.
She was no match for his strength, but she fought him nonetheless. Her fingernai
ls scored his cheek before he caught her arms behind her back. He jerked her arms upward until she quieted, unable to fight more because of the intense pain.
"Daniel ---" Was that her voice, disembodied, so pitiful?
"Hush, Diana. Don't fight me. You know you can't win. Come, now, I will tie you up, but not tightly. You will get free but not until I've left."
He drew off his belt and bound her hands in front of her. "Sit down, now." When she didn't move, he shoved her down. She felt the hard earth and sharp stones.
"I will leave you light. I am not a monster."
Monster! Patricia knew, or at least she suspected.
"Daniel, you aren'twell. Please, I can help you. Lyon can help you, he ---"
He threw back his head and laughed. It echoed off the walls of the cave, bouncing back, surrounding her, and she wanted to scream with the terror of it. She watched him bring her lamp near her and light it. He stared at her a moment, not speaking.
He leaned down suddenly and kissed her, hard. "Such a pity. Good-bye, little sister."
She watched him stride to the cave entrance. He looked back at her and shook his head.
She struggled to her feet. She heard a loud scraping sound. She was nearly to the opening when the huge rock slammed over it and she was plunged into darkness.
She screamed, falling back as the earth shook from the impact of the boulder.
She fell to her knees. Silence. She was surrounded by silence and darkness. She looked toward the flickering lamp.
27
There is no limit to investigating the truth, until you discover it.
—CICERO