“All the times we’ve talked about Marmee’s medication, you’ve never mentioned having supplies at the apartment. I don’t even have them.”
“I forgot.”
“When I told you Danielle contacted me, you promised I’d never have to worry about her again.”
“Tippi, that’s an expression.”
“I think you plan on doing the same thing to me you did to her, and when she tried to warn me, you believed the only way to shut her up was to kill her,” I said. “You had everything you needed to make it look like an accident. You knew how much of a dose would be lethal.”
He laughed again, a hurtful sound. “I think you’ve been watching too many movies.”
The overhead lights poured over the jewelry on display, creating a kaleidoscopic, glittering backdrop.
“Maybe it’s you who’s been watching too many movies, Oliver. You expect whatever you want at the snap of a finger. Your lifestyle, your luxuries. Travel and riches. But instead of earning any of those things on your own, you steal off the women in your life.”
That comment did it. For the first time during our conversation, the smile dropped. Anger turned his face into a grimace, ugliness and beauty clashing before my eyes.
“Be careful, Tippi. You don’t want to say something you can’t take back.”
“Youshould be careful, Oliver. You’ve been doing this for a long time. You’re good at it. But I know what I’m talking about. I’m sure if I presented this information to the police, they’d be able to uncover the rest on their own. How many crimes could they nab you for, you think? Burglary? Extortion? Murder?”
Sweat glimmered along his hairline, his cheeks bruised with redness.
“Let me get this straight. You think I only formed a relationship with you to take your money. You think I’ve been stealing from your grandmother to purchase a getaway pad in Florida. You think I murdered my ex-wife to keep her quiet and conceal this wild plan.” He paused, a terrifying seriousness on his face. “I’m capable of all that, and you think it’s in your best interest to threaten me?”
“I’m not trying to threaten you, Oliver,” I said, not even caring that my voice shook. “I just want you gone. Out of my life for good.”
He wasn’t expecting that. The finality of my words. His entire plan was unraveling before his eyes. He looked down, tightening his grip on the backpack.
“We’ve both gotten carried away. I’m offended and not acting like myself.” His posture softened. He tried reaching for my hand. “We need to cool off and start over.”
“There is no starting over. No wedding. You’re a liar, Oliver.” I almost couldn’t bring myself to say the last word. “A killer.”
“Don’t call me that—”
“You are! Danielle would be alive if I hadn’t mentioned her to you.” This thought, once theoretical and abstract, had calcified into an undeniable knowing. “And I have to live with that.”
“This is insane. Everyone loves me. I’m a charming guy. Your friends think so. Marmee thinks so. She said I’m like the son she never had. The son your dipshit father could never be.”
“They don’t know you,” I said, overcoming his insults. “From the looks of it, I might be the only one who has seen the real you.”
Danielle saw him for who he was,I told myself,but it was too late.
“You’re not leaving me, Tippi.”
He slung the backpack onto the countertop and reached inside. He pulled out another syringe, the sight of the needle injecting me with fresh fear.
“You pointed out some interesting similarities between you and my first wife,” he said, twisting the syringe in the air, “but you forgot one. I mean, what are the odds both Danielle and Marmee rely on this little medicine to survive? It’s such a fragile line, isn’t it? The right amount keeps them living. Just a little bit more, and they could die.”
Hot tears stung my eyes, singed the back of my throat.
“Don’t you dare threaten her.”
The sight of the syringe almost paralyzed me, the idea he’d come to the estate with it already in his possession. Maybe his plan went far beyond stealing. Had he planned on hurting Marmee? Killing her would leave her entire fortune to me, his new, grief-stricken wife.
“If Marmee were to die in her sleep, no one would even question it. Accidents happen all the time.” He paused. “I’m not someone who likes to lose, Tippi. Especially after all the time I’ve put in.”
I thought about all that Oliver had taken away from me, everything he’d intended to take. I’d fallen for this man. Allowed him into the furthest recesses of my life and heart and soul. Brought him around my friends and family. Prioritized him over my career, over everything.
