Public Secrets Part 318

"I was fond of him."

"You murdered him."

"I never laid a hand on him. Blackpool got too rough, panicked. I

never wanted to hurt that boy."

She dragged her wind-tossed hair out of her face. "You just wanted to

use him, to use him and my father's fear and pain for some b.l.o.o.d.y

publicity. Oh, I can see it," she added.. "Brian McAvoy's son stolen

from his crib. Rock star pays a king's ransom for safe return of

beloved child." That's what you had in mind, didn't you? Lots of print,

lots of film at eleven. Reporters crammed on the front yard waiting for

a statement from the terrified parents. Then more of the same when the

baby was returned to loving arms. But he was never returned, was he?"

"What happened was tragic-"

"Don't talk to me about tragedy." Tbo anguished to be afraid, she turned

away. The gun was trained on her, she knew it. It didn't seem to

matter. After all these years, she remembered and it left her hollow.

But worse, much worse, was to know it had been for nothing. "You were

there at his ftineral with the rest of us, your eyes down, your face

solemn. All the while, you were getting just what you wanted. A boy

had to die, unfortunately, but you got your press, didn't you?" She

turned back. "You sold your b.l.o.o.d.y records."

"I've devoted nearly half my life to them." Pete took a long, calming

breath. "I shaped and I molded, I made deals, listened to their

problems. Solved them. Who do you think made sure they got everything

that was coming to them? Who made certain that the record company

didn't play any games with royalties? Who fought so that they would

reach the top?"

She took a step toward him. There was enough of a need to survive to

stop her when he motioned with the gun. "Do you think they needed you?"

she spat out. "Do you really believe that you mattered?"

"I made them."

"No. They made you."

Saying nothing, he reached in his pocket. "Be that as it may, even what

happens tonight will add to the legend. Brian and Johnno are odds-on

favorites for Song of the Year. With a bit of luck, the group will pick

up a couple more for Best Performance, Rock, and Best Alb.u.m. I'd

thought it a nice touch for you to hand out the award. Brian's daughter,

and the tragic widow of Drew Latimer. Tragedies sell," he said with a

shrug. "We'll have one more tonight." He held out two pills. "Take

these. They're very strong. It'll make it easier."

She looked down at them, then back into his face. "I won't make it

easier."

"Very well." He put them back in his pocket. "It's a very long fall,

Emma." He grabbed her, holding her against him at the edge. "By the

time you hit, I'll be on my way down." He had it worked out now, calm

and precise. "I came to see if you were all right when the lights went

out, but you went wild. I chased you up here, concerned. You were

hysterical, and I was too late to save you. All these years, and you

still blamed yourself for your brother's death. You finally couldn't

live with it anymore." He forced her around to face the fall. One of