Page 99 of Everyone’s a Liar

Helene moved to the side, blocking her path. “I don’t think so.”

“What?” For the first time since Helene had made her dramatic entrance, Livia truly studied her aunt. The older woman was dressed as if she’d just crawled out of bed, and her hair hung over her shoulders in tangles, but there was a hectic glitter in the blue eyes and a flush on her cheeks. Anger surged through Livia and she had to battle against the urge to shove the woman out of her way. Helene was fragile enough she might break a bone if she pushed too hard. “Damn, of course you have to be drunk when I need your help,” Livia muttered, moving around her aggravating relative.

“No, I’m not drunk.” Helene once again moved to block Livia’s path. Only this time, she reached into the pocket of her robe to pull out a small handgun. “I’m disappointed.”

Stunned by the unexpected turn events, Livia’s gaze lowered to the weapon that was pointed directly at her heart.

“Helene?”

“Why didn’t you leave?” the older woman snapped.

Livia licked her dry lips. She didn’t understand. Was Helene behind the madness? Hiring Larry Sutton to spy on her and then killing him? Terrifying her with stupid pranks? Loading up Stella’s belongings and dumping them in the swamp?

It seemed impossible.

And it was, she abruptly realized. Helene couldn’t have been in the swamp shooting at her. She would be covered in mud and out of breath if she’d just come from there.

So what the hell was going on?

“What are you talking about?” Livia demanded, taking a cautious step forward.

If she could get close enough to Helene, she could try to overpower her. Helene might be holding the gun with the sort of confidence that warned she was a woman who knew how to use it, but there was no mistaking the tremors that occasionally shook her hand. It wouldn’t take much to knock the gun from her fingers.

As long as she didn’t shoot Livia before she could get in striking distance.

“I gave you warnings that even an idiot could understand,” Helene hissed. “You aren’t wanted here.”

Livia narrowed her eyes. Maybe Helene hadn’t been in the swamps, but she’d been responsible for tormenting her.

“You locked me in the garage,” Livia accused.

“Yes.”

“And left behind the scarf for me to find.”

The older woman nodded. “It belonged to your mother.”

Livia clenched her teeth. No wonder she recognized the perfume clinging to the silk. And why Delilah had looked so shocked when Livia had showed it to her.

“And pushed me into the pool.”

Helene clicked her tongue, clearly feeling zero guilt. “I had to do something.”

“Why?”

“Why? Because you were stirring up the angry spirits.” Livia could see the violent tremor that raced through the woman. “Why can’t you let them rest in peace?”

With an effort, Livia leashed the panic thundering through her. She had to get past the older woman so she could reach the phone and save Bryce.

Which meant she had to keep her distracted long enough to grab the gun.

“What spirits? My mother’s?”

The blue eyes dimmed, as if Helene’s brief grip on reality was fading. “She keeps whispering. Over and over.” The older woman glanced toward the French doors, as if afraid that her mother was about to walk through them. No. Livia abruptly stiffened. Her gaze was on the covered pool outside the doors. “I can’t get away from her.”

Livia stared at her aunt, all the vague suspicions and questions surrounding her mother’s death coalescing into a grim certainty. She could see it in her aunt’s haunted expression.

“Because she didn’t jump, did she? She was thrown off that balcony.”