The enormity of what his mother had done was staggering. Everything she had told him was a lie. She had never intended to let him live his own life. And Andre d’Usseau! How could a man like that be bought? But of course Kate would know the price of any man. Wilde could have been referring to Kate when he talked of someone who knew the price of everything, the value of nothing. Everything had always been for the company. And the company was Kate Blackwell. Tony turned and walked blindly down the corridor.
In the operating room, the doctors were fighting desperately to save Marianne’s life. Her blood pressure was alarmingly low, and her heartbeat was erratic. She was given oxygen and a blood transfusion, but it was useless. Marianne was unconscious from a cerebral hemorrhage when the first baby was delivered, and dead three minutes later when the second twin was taken.
Tony heard a voice calling, “Mr. Blackwell.” He turned. Dr. Mattson was at his side.
“You have two beautiful, healthy twin daughters, Mr. Black-well.”
Tony saw the look in his eyes. “Marianne—she’s all right, isn’t she?”
Dr. Mattson took a deep breath. “I’m so sorry. We did everything we could. She died on the—”
“She what?” It was a scream. Tony grabbed Dr. Mattson’s lapels and shook him. “You’re lying! She’s not dead.”
“Mr. Blackwell—”
“Where is she? I want to see her.”
“You can’t go in just now. They’re preparing her—”
Tony cried out, “You killed her, you bastard! You killed her.” He began attacking the doctor. Two interns hurried in and grabbed Tony’s arms.
“Now take it easy, Mr. Blackwell.”
Tony fought like a madman. “I want to see my wife!”
Dr. John Harley hurried up to the group. “Let him go,” he commanded. “Leave us alone.”
Dr. Mattson and the interns left. Tony was weeping brokenly. “John, they k-killed Marianne. They m-murdered her.”
“She’s dead, Tony, and I’m sorry. But no one murdered her. I told her months ago if she went ahead with this pregnancy it could kill her.”
It took a long moment for the words to sink in. “What are you talking about?”
“Marianne didn’t tell you? Your mother didn’t say anything?”
Tony was staring at him, his eyes uncomprehending. “My mother?”
“She thought I was being an alarmist. She advised Marianne to go ahead with it. I’m so sorry, Tony. I’ve seen the twins. They’re beautiful. Wouldn’t you like to—?”
Tony was gone.
Kate’s butler opened the door for Tony.
“Good morning, Mr. Blackwell.”
“Good morning, Lester.”
The butler took in Tony’s disheveled appearance. “Is everything all right, sir?”
“Everything is fine. Would you make me a cup of coffee, Lester?”
“Certainly, sir.”
Tony watched the butler move toward the kitchen. Now, Tony, the voice in his head commanded.
Yes. Now. Tony turned and walked into the trophy room. He went to the cabinet that held the gun collection, and he stared at the gleaming array of instruments of death.
Open the cabinet, Tony.
He opened it. He selected a revolver from the gun rack and checked the barrel to make sure it was loaded.
She’ll be upstairs, Tony.
Tony turned and started up the stairs. He knew now that it was not his mother’s fault that she was evil. She was possessed, and he was going to cure her. The company had taken her soul, and Kate was not responsible for what she did. His mother and the company had become one, and when he killed her, the company would die.
He was outside Kate’s bedroom door.
Open the door, the voice commanded.
Tony opened the door. Kate was dressing in front of a mirror when she heard the door open.
“Tony! What on earth—”
He carefully aimed the gun at her and began squeezing the trigger.
22
The right of primogeniture—the claim of the first-born to a family title or estate—is deeply rooted in history. Among royal families in Europe a high official is present at every birth of a possible heir to a queen or princess so that should twins be born, the right of succession will not be in dispute. Dr. Mattson was careful to note which twin had been delivered first.