Kate and Jeanette - One Week Later
Kate and Jeanette took one last stroll around the massive cellar of the May plantation. The work was now complete, and the basement was ready.
"So," asked Jeanette sardonically. "Now what? What's the next part of your plan?"
Kate inhaled sharply. "Remember when I told you you weren't going to like parts of it?"
"Yeah?"
"Well, this is gonna be one of those parts. Jeanette, do you remember your father telling you to make a second wish on a second birthday candle? And you wished to be pretty and popular?"
Jeanette's face drained of color. "How did you know about that?"
"Mallory. She and Vince got high one night and he let slip. Don't be mad at him."
Jeanette shook it off, but her face burned with anger. Was there no one in this fucking town who could keep something said in confidence to themselves? Knowing Mallory, she had probably prodded it from Vince.
Kate plunged ahead. "Your father wanted to make sure that wish came true. Getting me out of the way was part of making it happen."
"Are you saying my dad had something to do with Martin holding you captive?"
"Yes. Your dad knew where I was. He paid off the Chief of Police to look the other way. My mother also contributed."
"And you can prove this?"
"Yes."
Jeanette sank down onto the basement stairs, staring at the floor. "My dad stood by me. He was the only one who did."
"He would have done anything to see you happy, Jeanette, and he did. Anything for his baby girl."
"What does any of that have to do with buying this old place?"
"Everyone who forced me into Martin's basement is going to get the same in return. Ten months down here, and then they will face the courts and the press and answer for what they did, and our names will finally be cleared. It's the only way, Jeanette. Otherwise, they got away with it."
"Who else, Kate? Tell me."
"I will, in good time. First we round up your dad, and my mother. Then we go after the rest."
Jeanette swallowed against the tight pain in her throat.
"Go and pick him up, Jeanette. I'm going after mama."
Jeanette nodded tersely, turning away so Kate couldn't see her eyes shining with tears.