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ChapterFour
Ariana paced her driveway, unable to pull her attention from Rita’s house. Two police cruisers blocked the way, and the officers had been inside for what felt like hours.
Her phone showed ten minutes.
Several feet away, Charles held Lia. As a screenwriter he worked from home, so he’d been able to rush outside to offer his wife support as soon as she drove up the driveway.
Ariana hadn’t been so fortunate. She could have called Damon, but didn’t want to distract him from his interview with a popular podcaster.
A car engine sounded not far away.
Damon’s Charger turned onto the street, stopped in front of their house. The engine cut, and he leaped out and ran to Ariana. Wrapped his arms around her. “I came as soon as I heard.”
She clung to him. “How’d you know?”
“Charles texted me,” Damon said.
“What about the interview?”
“Rick thinks we had enough for the segment, but if not we’ll do the rest over video chat. Being here for you is more important.”
“Thank you.” Ariana held her husband tightly. “I’m so worried about Rita. It’s not like her to miss work or the weekly happy hour.”
“Did the police talk to you yet?” he asked.
“Yes, and I told her everything. She seemed concerned, at least. Even after hearing that, Boone wasn’t worried.” Ariana looked back over at the Walker’s house. The police were still inside, and more neighbors had come to gawk since Damon arrived. Maybe one of them knew something.
“Not surprising,” Damon said. “It’s usually the husband or boyfriend.”
“You think he did something to her?”
“I’m not going that far, but it’s hardly a secret that he has a girlfriend on the side. That alone does cast doubt.”
Ariana sighed, her stomach churning acid.
Damon rubbed her back. “Just because he’s a cheater doesn’t make him a killer. That’s a tremendous leap.”
“There’s something I haven’t told you.”
He looked at her, concern in his eyes. “What?”
“Rita started seeing someone too.”
“Can’t say that’s a shocker. But that would give Boone more motive.”
Ariana played with a strand of hair. “I didn’t mention her boyfriend to the officer because I thought it might make her look bad. We just need them to find her. And besides, she mentioned wanting to end it.”
Damon frowned. “You know as well as I do that they need all the information.”
“But it isn’t my place to tell.”
“Even if it could save her life?”
Ariana sighed again. “I told her I’d keep her secret.”
Damon lifted an eyebrow.
“But this changes everything.”
