Sybill stared out through her terrace doors. “Does it always come back to money?”

“It’s easy to look down when you’ve got plenty of it,” Gloria snapped. “You never had to hustle, you never had to worry. Perfect daughter always had plenty of everything. Now it’s my turn.”

“I would have helped you, Gloria. I tried to years ago when you brought Seth to New York.”

“Yeah, yeah, same old tune. Get a job, straighten up, get clean, get dry. Shit, I don’t want to dance to that, get it? This is my life I’m living here, baby sister, not yours. You couldn’t pay me to live yours. And that’s my kid, not yours.”

“What’s today, Gloria?”

“What? What the hell are you talking about?”

“Today is September twenty-eighth. Does that mean anything to you?”

“What the hell’s it supposed to mean? It’s fucking Friday.”

And your son’s eleventh birthday, Sybill thought and straightened her shoulders, took her stand. “You won’t get Seth back, Gloria, though we’re both aware that that’s not your goal.”

“You can’t—”

“Shut up. Let’s stop playing games. I know you. I haven’t wanted to, I’ve preferred to pretend otherwise, but I know you. If you want help, I’m still willing to get you into a clinic, to pay the bill for rehab.”

“I don’t need your goddamn help.”

“Fine, that’s your choice. You won’t get another penny out of the Quinns, you won’t come near Seth again. I’ve given my deposition to their lawyer and a notarized statement to Seth’s caseworker. I’ve told them everything, and if necessary, I’ll testify in court that Seth’s wishes and his best interest are served by his remaining, permanently, with the Quinns. I’ll do everything I can to see that you don’t use him anymore.”

“You bitch.” The hiss was filled with anger, but under it was shock. “You think you can screw me this way? You think you can toss me off and side with those bastards against me? I’ll ruin you.”

“You can certainly try, but you won’t succeed. You made your deal, now it’s done.”

“You’re just like her, aren’t you?” Gloria spit the words out like bullets. “You’re just like our ice cunt of a mother. Perfect society princess, and underneath you’re nothing but bitch.”

Maybe I am, Sybill thought wearily, maybe I’m going to have to be. “You blackmailed Raymond Quinn, who’d done nothing to harm you. It worked. At least it worked well enough for you to be paid. It won’t work with his sons, Gloria. And it won’t work with me. Not anymore.”

“Won’t it? Well, try this. I want a hundred thousand. A hundred thousand, or I’m going to the press. National Enquirer, Hard Copy. Let’s see how fast your lousy books sell once I tell my story.”

“Sales will likely increase twenty percent,” Sybill said mildly. “I won’t be blackmailed, Gloria. You do what you like. And think about this. You’re facing criminal charges in Maryland, and there’s a restraining order against you to keep you away from Seth. The Quinns have evidence. I’ve seen it,” she continued, thinking of the letters Gloria had written. “Further criminal charges for extortion and child abuse may be brought. I’d cut my losses if I were you.”