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At Woodview Village tonight, Thom had been exactly the same, remarking about the dinner that they shared, refusing all vegetables, and talking about the characters in video games as if they were his friends. As ever, Amanda told him he should watch his diet, while she barely listened to his chatter. She’d made all the arrangements for his care long ago and now just needed to show up every once in a while and pretend to be attentive. She didn’t know how she felt about Thom these days. His regression to his current state had alarmed her and sent her parents flying out of their lives completely. But he’d stabilized, and this is what was left, so Amanda made sure he was safe and comfortable and left it at that. Though her parents had given her their estate to sell, she’d chosen to keep the asset and pay for Thom’s care out of her own earnings. She hadn’t made partner yet, thanks to her loathsome ex, whose jealousy of her success compared to his own weaker abilities—he’d made partner only because he’d had family money that he’d invested in the firm—had kept her from that coveted position. Every time she threatened to leave, however, the other partners scrambled around and found her more money. Hal’s thin-lipped acceptance was worth staying for, too. Cheater. Bastard. All-around fuckhead. But in a sense, she’d married him for his money and connections also, so c’est la vie.
Now Amanda plucked her phone from her purse as she headed down the concrete outdoor steps of the retirement community. She’d stayed late with Thom tonight, a test to see how long she could keep from checking on Delta’s phone message, and she’d made it till the sun was going down. It was amazing how late that could still be at the end of July. When Delta’s name had popped onto Amanda’s cell screen, she’d been extremely curious. She knew Delta hated her, whereas she didn’t really feel the same way about her. She just wanted to always beat her at her game. Delta had always been the pretty one, although she’d put on a few extra pounds around the time of the reunion, which had tickled Amanda pink. But then Hal had been determined to antagonize Amanda that night, making friends with all her classmates as if he were the best buddy of all, putting on that oh-so-agreeable personality that he dropped at the door to their house, never bringing it inside. Amanda had figured that out early in the relationship and recognized she had to get what she could from the marriage before it was over. She’d told Delta at the reunion to divorce Tanner l
ike she was divorcing Hal, but Delta had been taken aback and somewhat horrified—it was soooo her.
And extra pounds or no, Delta had looked good that night. It was just a shitty fact. She’d been attractive in high school, but at the reunion she’d been . . . delicious. That was the word Hal had used to describe her that night, knowing it would piss Amanda off, which it did, even though it was true. Hal had smiled evilly at Amanda over his drink, sliding long, lingering glances over Delta’s voluptuous figure whenever he caught Amanda looking. In answer, Amanda had used Tanner to bait both Delta and Hal, and Tanner was so easily attained. Once upon a time, she’d thought she was pregnant with his child and had been thrilled about the sensation she’d made, but she’d never wanted Tanner. Not really. He was too . . . available, in every way. She could read him like a children’s book. And he could be lured into bed with barely a “Hello.” Sure, he was good-looking, and his family was fairly well-off, and Tanner had managed somehow to get through med school—who knew? All Amanda could think was that money must’ve changed hands somewhere along the way—and make a decent success of his father’s questionable business.
It was just a matter of competition. Amanda wanted to win, and somehow it felt like Delta was ahead of her. Like, all the fucking time. Even though Delta didn’t even know she was in the game.
Ellie, actually, was the one who wanted to battle with Amanda. She had that same fire in the belly to succeed . . . and crush everyone else beneath the heel of her boot. Amanda understood because she felt the exact same way.
Finally, alone in her car, Amanda pressed the button on her cell phone to hear Delta’s message.
“Hi, Amanda, it’s Delta.” Her voice shook some, but there was steel beneath it. Steel magnolia. Delta was the epitome of the term. “Tanner died earlier today, and I just ran into his father, who’s blaming me. I’ve talked to the police and told them what I know, but now I think I need a lawyer. A good lawyer. From what I hear, you’re one of the best. Is it possible for us to meet and talk about my case? If you’re interested, this is my cell number. Thank you. Please call . . .” A pause, and then she hung up.
She thought that over. Delta asking her for help? Things must be pretty desperate.
Her cell phone rang in her hand. She gazed at the screen and felt a moment of annoyance when she saw Zora’s name. She shouldn’t have been so nice to her earlier. She hadn’t meant to give Zora carte blanche to call her any old time.
“Hi, Zora,” Amanda answered, her voice purposely flinty.
“Did you see the news? Oh, my God. Ellie was on TV giving an interview to Tanner’s dad, the doctor, and he was vicious. Just vicious about Delta! Says she killed Tanner! Made all kinds of accusations. It was really hard to watch. Even Ellie looked kind of upset.”
“Ellie thinks Delta’s guilty.”
“I know, but Dr. Stahd was so mean.” She paused. “Do you think she’s guilty?”
Amanda watched the passing landscape as she headed west out of Portland into the lowering sun. “Jury’s out.”
“Remember . . . remember what I told you she said at Carmen’s memorial service?”
Amanda hated guessing games. “Refresh my memory.”
“She said . . . well, she said . . . you really don’t remember?”
“Zora.” Amanda was losing patience.
“Delta said that she wished you and Tanner would just die,” she said in a rush.
Oh, right. Amanda remembered hearing that from someone, but she’d forgotten it was Zora. She’d half-believed Delta might have been the one to say it to her face. That’s how heated and wild their emotions had all been following Carmen’s death.
“Maybe she meant it . . . ?” Zora said on a squeak of disbelief.
“I’m not worried about Delta.”
“You’re not? You don’t . . . you don’t think she did it?”
“I don’t know.”
“What’ll happen to her little boy if she did? He’s so adorable. I’d die for a child like that.”
Amanda was mildly surprised. “You know Delta’s son?”
“I’ve seen pictures. I just . . . I’m worried, and I’d like to help. Maybe I should call Delta and talk to her. I could be a babysitter. I’m sure she needs help.”
Something desperate there, Amanda thought, but then Zora was always kind of that way. “Then call her,” she said, adding, “You said were watching Channel Seven?”
“Yeah, Ellie’s station. You missed it? It’ll probably be on again tonight at eleven, right?”
