Confession

Christine and Bethan exchanged a look as Dave shouted again, "Laney! You'll never know!"

Dave used the tactic that had got Bethan where he wanted her in the first place. He shouldn't be blamed for not thinking clearly. He was under duress. But trying to manipulate Bethan's "weakness" was his undoing.

Bethan continued to rock him with her foot. He'd told her that he hadn't killed Laney. He'd pretended to have amnesia. He'd tried to kill her. As her foot moved him, back and forth, she processed what he'd just said.

Christine was silent, watching.

Some small rocks scampered down the slope to join others as Dave's motion loosened them from their previous lying place. The skittering set Dave's teeth on edge as did the small splashes as they reached the pool.

Bethan stared into the distance, her foot still rocking Dave, back and forth.

"So. Let's get this straight."

"For fuck's sake, Bethan! Stop this fucking madness!"

Bethan continued to rock him, pressing her foot more firmly into his back. She hoped it hurt. This man. How could she have married someone so...so...well, she wasn't sure what he was. Manipulative described it but not nearly enough.

She didn't address him. In her head, she thought, You don't get to tell me to stop.

"You were pretending to forget. You were trying to play us, like I think you've played us both for years." She spoke very quietly, controlled, almost contemplative.

"Bethan! Please!"

Christine came to stand by her.

"I'm going to give you one last chance to tell the truth. To tell us both the truth."

Back and forth, back and forth.

"Okay! Okay! Just stop! STOP!"

But Bethan didn't want to stop. Christine put a hand on her arm and squeezed and Bethan eased the speed but not the pressure.

"I decide when to stop, Dave. Not you." Bethan stated. "Let's make this easy, then. Simple yes or no answers."

Dave gulped.

Bethan looked at Christine.

"Did you kill Laney?"

Dave felt the boot dig in.

This he could answer honestly.

"No."

"Were you married to us at the same time?"

Dave closed his eyes. Could he really admit to everything he had done?

***

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