“Did you hear if he left a suicide note?”
“I heard he didn’t.”
Julia thought a minute. “He left the note in my car, I told you. Why would he leave a note for me, and not for himself?”
“I don’t know. Maybe that was his way of leaving a note about whathe was going to do. He just wanted the world to know he didn’t kill Kay, and I believe him.”
“What if it was murder?”
“What makes you say that?”
“A lot is going on that’s hard to explain. Kay’s murder, the missing object, Courtney’s being framed, and now this. I don’t trust the Buckley police, I don’t know what they’re up to. What if they’re all hiding something, like one big cover-up?”
“God, I pray you’re wrong. I loved that guy, I really did.” Alex sighed heavily, his eyes returning to the woods. “I still haven’t told everybody. I had to come, first. I felt like I had to be here. Samuel didn’t have anybody except for me, and Kay. Somebody needs to be here for him.”
Julia felt touched. “I get that.”
“They’re bringing him out. Look.” They both turned to see cops making their way through the woods, their flashlights casting jittery beams on the ground. Men in white paper jumpsuits carried a stainless-steel gurney that held a black body bag. They watched the cops take the gurney to the back of the coroner’s van, where they opened the door, lowered the gurney’s wheels, and rolled it inside, closing the door with a harshca-chunk.
“Man, oh man.” Alex hung his head, and Julia patted his back.
“I’m sorry.”
“Thanks.” Alex straightened, looking over. “Who are those people by the car?”
“Courtney’s husband Paul and—”
“So that’s him? I have to meet this dude.”
“Wait, what? Alex, no—” Julia started to say, but Alex stalked off, beelining for Paul.
“Hey Paul!” Alex waved at him. “Where the fuck you been?”
“Whoa.” Paul recoiled, turning to Alex. “Who are you?”
“I’m the guy who actually gives a shit about Courtney.”
Paul recoiled, shocked. “How do you know my wife?”
“You don’t deserve her.”
“What?” Paul’s eyes flared in outrage.
“You heard me. She deserves better than you!”
“Fuck you!” Paul exploded, taking a swing at Alex, who side-stepped the blow.
“Paul, no!” Julia shouted, but Alex was already throwing a right hook that connected with Paul’s cheek.
Paul rocked backward. The skin over his cheekbone split, spraying blood. His hands flew up reflexively, covering the gash.
Bennie shoved Alex. “Yo, dude, get out, right now!”
“Not a problem.” Alex turned back to the car, chuckling. “God, that felt good. See you later, Julia.”
“My God!” Julia put a hand on Paul’s back, steadying him. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” Paul bent over, cupping his cheek.
