Chapter 35

Interstate 20, 2008

Libby felt herself veering onto the shoulder of the road, so she stopped for coffee. Her sleep last night had been fitful and nightmare-ridden. She'd been awake since 4:00 a.m. and had a plan by 5:00. Vince had tried to talk her out of it, but he didn't put up much of a fight. This was the way of their marriage. She'd get an idea:

"I'd like to donate $15,000 to Golden Oak Elementary for new playground equipment."

"I'd like to go back to school so I can counsel domestic violence victims."

"I'd like to hide my best friend's child away from his abusive father."

"I'd like to keep him."

"I'd like to get his sister too."

"I'd like to encourage Ridge to visit Mallowater."

And finally, "I'd like to kill Caroline."

Vince always put up some resistance:

"$15,000 is a lot to spend on a charity project."

"Aren't you a little old to go back to school?"

"Hide Ridge? Have you lost your mind?"

"You have lost your mind! We can't keep Ridge! I worried this would happen. You always get attached."

"We are not adding to your laundry list of felonies by kidnapping another child."

"Ridge doesn't need to visit Mallowater. It will only cause more pain. We are his family."

"Your joking, right? Murder Caroline? My god, Libby, tell me you're joking."

But after he let his opinions be known, Vince always came around:

"I suppose it is a win/win. Sloan and Ridge's school gets new equipment, and we get a tax write-off."

"LSU has a great social work program. And since I'll be working there, you can take classes for free."

"I can't believe that sonofabitch is abusing his son. I knew there was something off about Jay Hadfield. We will help Caroline in any way we can."

"You're right, Libby. Caroline is insane. We can't give Ridge back. She lied to us, and that means the entire deal is off the table."

"If Caroline won't let Sloan visit, we'll just have to come up with another plan to get her."

"If seeing Caroline and Sloan will bring Ridge peace and closure, he needs to do it."

"If you're going to do this, Libby, you've got to have a solid plan. You can't make any mistakes."

And she hadn't made any. At least she didn't think so. She'd waited in the rented car at the creek, just as Vince had done all those years ago when this all started. Now she'd finished it. Full circle.

Libby was glad to find Caroline already at the creek when she arrived. She had hoped Ridge wasn't exaggerating when he said Caroline spent all her time there. She waited till the time was right, till the area was empty, till Caroline was distracted, balancing on the river's edge, barefoot, arms out like a trapeze artist.

Libby had rehearsed what she'd say the entire drive, but she didn't have time to say anything. One push and Caroline was submerged. All Libby had to do was hold her down. She had the advantage. She'd taken Caroline by surprise, and Caroline had to fight Libby and the river too.

Had they found the body yet? Libby hoped it would take a while, but the creek was running slow. It didn't matter how slow it was; it would surely wash any potential evidence off Caroline's body.

Libby experienced many feelings as she drove home. She was relieved she'd done it and that it had been so easy. She was proud that she'd kept Ridge safe—that she'd removed yet another obstacle to his happiness. She was scared someone had seen her. She even felt a little guilty. Libby knew she'd probably see Caroline's haunted eyes staring up at her through that murky water every night for the rest of her life.

She adjusted her blonde wig, bought her coffee, then deposited her change into the payphone outside the convenience store.

"Hello," Vince answered. His voice was too chipper for this hour. He hadn't taken his sleeping pill. Sweet of him to be so worried.

"Everything's done, and it went fine," she said. "I'm about to leave Fort Worth. Hope I didn't worry you, but payphones are much sparser than they used to be."

"Ridge called about half an hour ago. He sounded upset. I think they found her."

"Did he ask to talk to me?" Libby asked.

"He did. I pretended to be asleep when I saw it was his number on the caller ID. Said you weren't feeling well and had turned in. Offered to get up and wake you, but he said not to."

Libby laughed. "Well, that was quite the risk. What if he had asked you to wake me?"

"I knew he wouldn't. Ridge knows I'm out of it after I take my medicine, knows it makes me unsteady on my feet. And he wouldn't dare wake you up when you were sick. He's a good boy. He's always been a good boy."

"Yes." Libby smiled. "He sure has. We got lucky, didn't we?"

"We did," Vince said. "Now, get back on the road. Do what you can to ensure our luck doesn't run out."

Libby told Vince goodbye and started her car. She'd been careful. Everything would be fine. Their luck would not run out, but if it did, well, that was okay. Because Ridge would be safe. He had Jay and Sloan. He would be okay. And if he was okay, Libby would be okay too. Always, forever, and no matter what.