He rubbed his thumb over her hand to calm her and consulted his Mickey Mouse watch. “That’s not the truth, Venus, and hiding from it isn’t in your DNA. No one can change what’s happened. All we can do is fix it. You’ve got to hang tough for a little while longer.”

He leaned over and kissed her forehead. He looked into her fierce Rasmussen green eyes, still powerful with intelligence, now sheened with tears. He hated her pain. He said quietly, “Thank you for being in my life, Venus. My grandmother thought you were amazing. So do I. So does Sherlock.”

He nodded, released her hand, and rose. “When he’s a bit older, Sean will think so, too.” After a moment Savich nodded to Dr. Pruitt, who was standing now against the draperies, his arms crossed, waiting. “I’ll buzz down and ask Isabel to bring Mr. Sullivan up.”

Venus nodded, leaned her head back on the pillow, and closed her eyes. “Yes, it’s nearly time. Please get the family downstairs and yes, ask Mr. Sullivan to come up. It’s time. I want to get this done.”

58

* * *

Dr. Pruitt faced the family in the living room. “Mrs. Rasmussen is speaking with Mr. Sullivan, then she must rest. She will see each of you later.”

“But there might not be a later,” Hildi shouted. “Why aren’t you with her? Why haven’t you called an ambulance?”

Guthrie stood, squared his shoulders as if awaiting a blow. “Is she going to die?”

“You know your mother, Mr. Rasmussen. I would prefer to care for her in the hospital, but she refuses to go. I will return to her immediately.” Dr. Pruitt nodded to each of them and left the living room.

Savich remained by the closed door, Sherlock by the windows, studying their faces.

Alexander stood in his favorite spot, by the fireplace, his hands in his pockets, his shock slowly turning to anger. He took a step toward Savich. “You were with her, not her children, her grandchildren—you, an outsider, who never belonged here. What did she say to you? You turned her against me, didn’t you?”

Savich said, “Why would I do that?”

“Because you believe I tried to kill her, you tried to convince her—”

“Do be quiet, Alexander,” Hildi said. “Please, just be quiet. Mother may be dying, and here you are yelling at Dillon, who, I might add, saved her life.”

“Haven’t you noticed she’s changing her will?” Alexander said, ignoring her. “Sullivan’s up there with her right now.”

Guthrie looked beaten down, his hands dangling at his sides. “That would be appropriate,” he said, “since Rob has returned home. Of course Mother would need to make adjustments.”

Looking at him, Savich felt a stab of alarm.

“Adjustments?” Alexander said. “You can’t be that dense, Father, and neither is Rob. What, little brother? Are you hoping Savich convinced her to put you in charge? Will you get her shares so you can run Rasmussen Industries yourself?”

Rob held to his temper. “Stop worrying about yourself, Alexander. Grandmother wouldn’t think of naming me her successor. She knows I don’t have experience running a company the size of Rasmussen Industries. She knows I wouldn’t have any idea what to do.”

Marsia rose to stand beside him, took his hand between hers. “You can learn if you have to, Rob. Your brother has to know you would learn quickly.” Marsia shot Alexander a look of cold dislike.

Alexander ignored her, said to Savich, “You know what she’s doing, don’t you? Admit it, you know.”

He shrugged. “All I know is that her lawyer Mr. Sullivan is with her. I’m sure you will find out everything in due course.”

While Savich spoke, he studied Rob’s face. He was pale, and he was suffering, Marsia still clutching his hand tight, leaning into him, as if keeping him upright.

Alexander said to Rob, “I see it all now. You came back into her life to ingratiate yourself. You know that’s what you want, the big office, all that power.”

Rob looked incredulous. “You really believe that, Alexander? You really think I wanted this? Even if that’s what Grandmother wants, it shouldn’t be happening like this, so fast, too fast. There hasn’t been enough time.” He shook his head. “I wish none of this was happening.”

Alexander flicked a nod toward Marsia. “It’s obvious she certainly wants it for you.”

Marsia said, “You should look to yourself, Mr. Rasmussen, not blame your brother. He hasn’t done anything except reconnect with his grandmother.” Rob pulled away from her, stood alone, not looking at his brother now, but staring down at his shoes, misery radiating off him.

Savich studied the faces of the others, wondering if they, like Alexander, were concerned about possible changes Venus would make to her will and how it would affect them. Veronica was seated in a chair away from the family, not making a sound, her hands twisting in her lap, her eyes sheened with tears. Glynis was holding her mother’s hand, looking from Rob to Alexander. For as long as Savich had known Glynis, he’d never been able to read her thoughts from her expression or her eyes, and she still remained opaque to him.

Rob whispered, “I don’t want her to die. There hasn’t been enough time to get to know her again.”

“She won’t, Rob, she won’t.” Guthrie walked over to his son and laid his hand on his shoulder. “I haven’t been much of a father to you. But I would like to try now, if you’ll allow me. I know the business, Rob, inside and out, even if I haven’t been involved in decision making these past years. I could be at your side, if it comes to that. You should be there with us, Rob, it’s your proper right, your proper place.”

Alexander looked from his brother’s face to his father’s. His voice was curiously flat. “So you stand against me, Father? The son who never left, who’s spent his entire life working for the good of the family? The son who—”

Veronica interrupted him, her voice gravelly with tears. “None of that matters. Don’t you understand? I was supposed to keep her safe, watch over her, and I failed. This is my fault. She couldn’t deal with all the stress, and how could she? She’s an old lady.

“She didn’t even talk to me about her will. Was she afraid I’d break confidence with her? I never have, not in fifteen years, surely she knows that. She’s been like a mother to me, she’s been my mentor, my biggest supporter.” She turned whiplash fast on Alexander. “But you, Alexander, why couldn’t you let her spend the rest of her life as she pleased? But no, you somehow found out about Rob, you saw the end coming, and you acted. Damn you, I hope she cuts you out of her will entirely for what you tried to do.”