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“I never thought I’d be a person of interest in a murder case,” I finish with a sigh.
“What the hell?” Katie hisses, and concern is written on Gemma’s face.
“Just because I had sex with the man doesn’t mean I wanted him dead. He was actually a great lover, and I woulda hit it again.” I wink. “I mean, well, if he were alive. May he rest in peace.”
Katie chuckles. “I could just tell. It’s always the quiet types, you know?”
Immediately, I think of Archer and how well he balances my personality. He’s not my usual type, but he’s quickly becoming the only man I want. Eric was nice and a great booty call, but there weren’t sparks. He didn’t take my breath away. There’s no comparison between the two other than them both being my brother’s friend.
“Tyler’s going to flip his shit,” Gemma says. “But maybe he can get Serena to help you? She’s amazing.”
“I know. And please don’t tell my brother just yet. I’d love to be able to process it all before he starts playing bodyguard.” I suck in a deep breath; my anxiety is starting to get the best of me.
“Everything’s gonna be okay,” Katie ensures. “The whole town can vouch for seeing Eric’s wife slap the blush right off your cheeks.”
I roll my eyes. “Now is not the time for jokes.”
“Oh, I wasn’t joking.” She laughs and bumps me with her elbow, trying to cheer me up.
“Bottom line is I need to figure out what I’m going to do. This is the last thing I want to be dealing with. I have big plans for the boutique this year, and I don’t want that getting around and ruining my reputation.”
“I don’t blame you, and you know we wouldn’t let that happen.” Katie states.
“I wonder what really happened to Eric, though,” Gemma mumbles.
“I’ve been thinking about this in true crime style and have tried to put the pieces together,” I say.
Gemma lifts a brow.
“I think his wife suspected he was cheating, so she hired a private investigator. Otherwise, I don’t know how else she would’ve found out. None of you knew until she blurted it out to the entire town. Anyway, when she got confirmation, she planned her ultimate revenge and waited for him to come home. It’s a classic lover’s scorned tale. Thousands of books and movies are out there with the same premise. Typically, the simplest answer is the right one. At least that’s what all the crime documentaries I’ve watched taught me.”
“You and your Crime TV.” Gemma chuckles.
“But Eric went home in May, and he wasn’t murdered until October,” Katie points out.
“Right.” I nod.
“Why would she wait so long to kill him?” Gemma asks.
“Hmm, okay. Maybe she confronted him, he apologized and promised to never do it again, then eventually he does. That’s her last straw, and she takes him out,” I explain. “Though I really didn’t see Eric as a cheater. Maybe it was a loveless marriage?”
“Tyler was shocked to hear he’d been married after his girlfriend passed last year, so maybe it was arranged?” Gemma suggests.
“Yes...like mafia-style,” I add.
“And if that was the case, why would the wife kill him if they weren’t in love?” Katie asks.
“And why would she come all the way here to confront you?” Gemma asks.
“Right, I’m not sure.” I shrug, scratching my head. “I just know that I didn’t do shit to him. Except give him multiple orgasms.”
Gemma snickers. “I need to be there when you tell the detectives that one.”
Scowling, I roll my eyes. “What would even be my motive?”
“Crazy jealous mistress is sick of waiting around for her man to leave his wife, so she takes things into her own hands and kills him. Now neither of them can have him,” Gemma concludes all dramatically. “You flew there Friday evening, murdered him in a heat of passion, then flew home on the red-eye so you could make it back in time for the party and have an alibi. The perfect crime.” Gemma smiles proudly at her theory.
“Probably what the detectives have already concluded.” Katie bursts out laughing as I glare at her, unamused.
“I think you’re the ones who've been watching too much Crime TV,” I tell them.
“His wife is probably a person of interest too, because how else would they know about your affair? She’s probably trying to put the heat on you and off her,” Katie says just as Belinda walks up with our food on a tray. She sets it down and passes out our dishes. Our detective talk is quickly dropped.
“Oh my goodness, Belinda! I forgot to say how excited I am for you and Jerry!” I mention, remembering Gemma told me the good news on Christmas Eve.
Belinda blushes. “Thank you. I’m such a lucky lady.”
Gemma smiles from ear to ear, and I know she’s just as excited. After her mom passed away, she was convinced her dad would never marry again. Over two decades later, he met Belinda, and that all changed. They’ve been dating for a few years, and they’re the cutest couple.
