Master of the Game

As though reading his mind, Kate sighed, "Do you know one of the great disappointments of my life, John? Eve. I really cared for that child. I wanted to give her the world, but she never gave a damn about anyone but herself."

"You’re wrong, Kate. Eve cares a great deal about you."

"Like bloody hell she does."

"I’m in a position to know. Recently she" – he had to choose his words carefully – "suffered a terrible accident. She almost died."

Kate felt her heart lurch. "Why – why didn’t you tell me?"

"She wouldn’t let me. She was so concerned you would be worried that she made me swear not to say a word."

"Oh, my God." It was an agonized whisper. "Is – is she all right?" Kate’s voice was hoarse.

"She’s fine now."

Kate sat, staring into space. "Thank you for telling me, John. Thank you."

"I’ll write out a prescription for those pills." When he finished writing the prescription, he looked up. Kate Blackwell had left.

Eve opened the door and stared unbelievingly. Her grandmother was standing there, stiff and straight as always, allowing no sign of frailty to show.

"May I come in?" Kate asked.

Eve stepped aside, unable to take in what was happening. "Of course."

Kate walked in and looked around the small apartment, but she made no comment. "May I sit down?"

"I’m sorry. Please do. Forgive me – this is so – Can I get you something? Tea, coffee, anything?"

"No, thank you. Are you well, Eve?"

"Yes, thank you. I’m fine."

"I just came from Dr. John. He told me you had been in a terrible accident."

Eve watched her grandmother cautiously, not sure what was coming. "Yes…"

"He said you were…near death. And that you would not allow him to tell me because you didn’t want to worry me."

So that was it. Eve was on surer ground now. "Yes, Gran."

"That would indicate to me," Kate’s voice was suddenly choked, "that – that you cared."

Eve started to cry from relief. "Of course I care. I’ve always cared."

And an instant later, Eve was in her grandmother’s arms. Kate held Eve very close and pressed her lips to the blond head in her lap. Then she whispered, "I’ve been such a damned old fool. Can you ever forgive me?" Kate pulled out a linen handkerchief and blew her nose. "I was too hard on you," she declared. "I couldn’t bear it if anything had happened to you."

Eve stroked her grandmother’s blue-veined hand soothingly and said, "I’m all right, Gran. Everything’s fine."

Kate was on her feet, blinking back tears. "We’ll have a fresh start, all right?" She pulled Eve up to face her. "I’ve been stubborn and unbending, like my father. I’m going to make amends for that. The first thing I’m going to do is put you back in my will, where you belong."

What was happening was too good to be true! "I – I don’t care about the money. I only care about you."

"You’re my heiress – you and Alexandra. You two are all the family I have."

"I’m getting along fine," Eve said, "but if it will make you happy – "

"It will make me very happy, darling. Very happy, indeed. When can you move back into the house?"

Eve hesitated for only a moment. "I think it would be better if I stayed here, but I’ll see you as often as you want to see me. Oh, Gran, you don’t know how lonely I’ve been."

Kate took her granddaughter’s hand and said, "Can you forgive me?"

Eve looked her in the eye and said solemnly, "Of course, I can forgive you."

The moment Kate left, Eve mixed herself a stiff Scotch and water and sank down onto the couch to relive the incredible scene that had just occurred. She could have shouted aloud with joy. She and Alexandra were now the sole heirs to the Blackwell fortune. It would be easy enough to get rid of Alexandra. It was George Mellis Eve was concerned about. He had suddenly become a hindrance.

"There’s been a change of plans," Eve told George. "Kate has put me back in her will."

George paused in the middle of lighting a cigarette. "Really? Congratulations."

"If anything happened to Alexandra now, it would look suspicious. So we’ll take care of her later when – "

"I’m afraid later doesn’t suit me."

"What do you mean?"

"I’m not stupid, darling. If anything happens to Alexandra, I’ll inherit her stock. You want me out of the picture, don’t you?"

Eve shrugged. "Let’s say you’re an unnecessary complication. I’m willing to make a deal with you. Get a divorce, and as soon as I come into the money, I’ll give you – "

He laughed. "You’re funny. It’s no good, baby. Nothing has changed. Alex and I have a date in Dark Harbor Friday night. I intend to keep it."

Alexandra was overjoyed when she heard the news about Eve and her grandmother. "Now we’re a family again," she said.

The telephone.

"Hello. I hope I’m not disturbing you, Eve. It’s Keith Webster."

He had started telephoning her two or three times a week. At first his clumsy ardor had amused Eve, but lately he had become a nuisance.

"I can’t talk to you now," Eve said. "I was just going out the door.

"Oh." His voice was apologetic. "Then I won’t keep you. I have two tickets for the horse show next week. I know you love horses, and I thought – "

"Sorry. I will probably be out of town next week."

"I see." She could hear the disappointment in his voice. "Perhaps the following week, then. I’ll get tickets to a play. What would you like to see?"