“Liz told you where I was?” she said.
“Yeah,” I said gently, “and the fact that you told her must have meant that you wanted me to know.”
She looked away, and I knew that had been the case.
“Why did my daddy have to die?” Her tears had subsided to a slow trickle.
I didn’t know what to say, so I just took her hand and said, “I don’t know, but you can rest assured that he’s in Heaven right now looking down on you.” I touched her chest. “And he’s going to live on right there in your heart forever.”
“It’s just so . . . I don’t know . . . tense around our house. Why can’t I come live with you?”
I felt awful. If I thought it would help, I would push aside any feelings I had to let Tahiry stay with me. But I knew Paula needed her daughter, even if she wasn’t acting like it. “Tell you what, promise me you’ll never run off like that again, and I will talk to your mom about chillin’ with us for a little while. Deal?”
“Deal.” She sniffed.
She looked out the window as she wiped her tears. We rode in silence until we pulled up into her house.
“Tahiry!” Paula said, swinging the door open and meeting me on the porch.
A part of me wondered if she was going to haul off and smack her daughter upside the head. But she grabbed her tightly, and they both broke out crying.
“Baby, don’t do ever do that to me again. I would die if something happened to you, too.” While still holding her head tight to her daughter’s, she looked up at me. “Thank you, Felise.”
“You’re welcome. Tahiry is just very upset and trying not to worry you because she knows how hard this is for you.”
Paula pulled away from her daughter, wiped her eyes, and kissed her on the cheek.
“I’m so sorry, baby.”
“No, Mama, I understand.” She reached out to include me in the hug. “Nana made me feel better.”
“She always does.” Paula smiled and then reached over to enfold me as well. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
I inhaled sharply, grateful that she couldn’t see my eyes because I’m sure the guilt would’ve given me away.
26
Paula
“YOU KNOW THOSE THINGS AREN’T good for you.”
I looked up to see Tahiry standing over me, her arms folded across her chest, her lips poking out.
“So, what, you’re the cigarette police now?” I tried to say with a smile as I dropped the cigarette down by my side.
“No, it’s just that I’ve already lost my dad. I don’t want to lose my mom to lung cancer.”
Wow. That was a low blow, but it was enough to make me squish my cigarette out.
“Okay, babe.” I held up my hands in defeat. “I’m done.” At least I’m done smoking around her, I thought. But my cigarettes were the only thing keeping me calm these days.
“What are you doing?” I asked her. I’d tried to spend the last two days giving Tahiry some extra time. Yesterday, we’d lain in bed together, watching old movies. The together time was good for us both. I’d come out here on the deck to try and steal a moment of “me” time—and a smoke.
“I’m trying to straighten up the living room,” she announced.
I raised an eyebrow. “You straightening up the living room?”
Tahiry shrugged. “Keeps me busy. But I wanted to see what you wanted me to do with a box.”
“What box?” I asked.
“I don’t know. It looks like it has a few of Dad’s things in it. Why is it in the living room? Are you packing his stuff up already?”
“Of course not,” I said, trying to figure out what she was talking about. “Oh, my goodness, that’s the box the police brought over,” I said, when it dawned on me. “Go get it. Bring it here. I haven’t paid it any attention since they brought it here.”
“Oh, okay.” Walking back inside, she returned with the box and set it at my feet. “What is that stuff?”
“It’s just Dad’s belongings.”
“Oh.” She turned like she couldn’t bear to see me go through it.
His portfolio was placed on top, so I took it out and shuffled through it. I didn’t find anything unusual: some paperwork with Kevin’s signature, business cards, a notepad, and his iPad. I set the portfolio to the side and then slowly fingered his suit and his tie, his socks. But I stopped when I saw his underwear. I couldn’t think why, but something didn’t feel right. And then I figured out what was puzzling me. Why would his underwear be in this box and not on him? My mind started churning as I tried to figure that out. I never asked the police what he was wearing when they found him.
But why would they have removed his underwear before the coroner came? I jogged my memory, and I was right. This box came from the hotel, not the coroner.
I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I didn’t hear my sister walk out onto the deck.
“Hey,” Charlene said.
I glanced at her, then quickly turned back to the box. “Hey.”
“What are you doing?” she said, walking over to peer in the box.
“Just going through some of Steven’s stuff,” I said. I was annoyed that she was messing up my thought process.
“Ugh, are those his drawers?” she said, eyeing the briefs I was holding in my hand.
“Yeah.”
“Yuck. Why are they giving you back his underwear? Did you take him some clean ones to be buried in or something?”
“No,” I said, shaking my head. “That’s what I’m sitting here trying to figure out. Why is his underwear among his belongings? They only returned what they found in the hotel room.”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe they took his underwear off?”
I narrowed my eyes at her. “But why? I mean, he died in his sleep.”
“I don’t know,” she replied. “I guess he wasn’t wearing any underwear when he went to sleep.”
“That’s just it,” I said as my puzzlement started to come into focus. “Steven never sleeps in the nude,” I said. “The only time he does . . .” I paused as the words formed on my lips. “The only time he sleeps naked is when he’s having sex and he falls asleep.”
My sister’s mouth fell open. “You don’t . . . You don’t think . . .”
My mind started churning. I knew my husband well. There was no other explanation as to why he’d be naked when he died. Acting on instinct, I dug in the box until I pulled out his wallet, which I remembered dropping back in when I’d first gotten the box. I sifted through the wallet until I found a receipt. Several Coronas, hot wings, and that’s it. The bill was fifty-seven dollars. I tossed that receipt aside and continued going through his stuff. Then I noticed another credit card receipt. This one had two vodka and cranberries and then two apple martinis.
“Hold up,” I said.
“What? What?” my sister said, leaning in as she sat down next to me.
“This receipt paid for apple martinis.”
“And?”
“What man do you know drinks apple martinis? Certainly not my man.”
My sister grabbed her chest. “You’re not saying . . . You really think Steven was with somebody else?”
“Of course I don’t want to believe it, but that would make sense. That’s why he was naked in the bed. That would explain this.” I held up his underwear as realization swept over me. “My husband was with another woman when he died.” The words hurt just coming out of my mouth.
“Do you think she killed him?”
I took a deep breath as I tried to process what I’d learned. “I don’t know. The autopsy said he died of a heart attack, but maybe someone caused the heart attack.”
We sat in silence, shocked by this new revelation, before my sister said, “You know what? I think you’re letting your mind get the best of you. Steven was one of the good guys, and I’m sure there’s an explanation. I mean, he would buy some woman a drink and never have to see her again. You know, just to be nice. T
hat doesn’t mean anything.”
I nodded as I took in what she was saying. My heart didn’t want to believe that Steven had been in that hotel room with someone else, but everything was pointing to that. Including my gut. Now I had an entirely new problem. I had to find out who that woman was.
27
Felise
THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME that I had felt halfway okay about being around Paula. Fran was right. I had to push the guilt aside. I’d never forgive myself for what I’d done, but I needed to help Tahiry and Paula. So when she’d called me this morning, telling me she needed to talk, I didn’t ask about what. I told her I’d come over as soon as my shift ended.
“Knock, knock,” I said, slowly pushing open the front door.
“We’re back here,” Paula called out from the den.
I headed down the hall and to the spacious den in back.
“I brought you some—” I stopped when I saw Sabrina sitting there, holding a teacup in her hand.
“Well, hello, Felise. So good to see you,” she said with an evil smile.
“Hey, Sabrina,” I slowly said. Sabrina had been more my friend than Paula’s, so why she was sitting here in Paula’s living room was beyond me. Unless . . .
“Hey, Felise.” Paula stood up and gave me a hug. “Sabrina surprised me and stopped by. I asked her to look into Steven’s death, to ask around the hotel to see if she could find out anything.”
I had yet to call her since she gave me her number, so I had no idea what Sabrina was up to, but the way she was watching me, like a predator, was not good. “Paula here was just telling me what a blessing you’ve been to her and her family,” Sabrina remarked.
Paula draped her arm through mine. “Yes, Felise has been a lifesaver.”
Sabrina clicked her lips. “Good ol’ Felise. Always saving lives,” she said with a smirk.
“Soooo, you just dropped by?” I asked. My tone told her she could now pick up and go.
“I did.” Sabrina stood and took Paula’s hand. “I can’t imagine the pain of losing your husband, the man you love from the bottom of your heart. It’s almost like—” She turned her wide eyes on me. “It’s almost like a betrayal, wouldn’t you say so, Felise?”
If I’d had any doubt that her snarky comments the day of the funeral were just a coincidence, they were gone. Sabrina knew. The question was, had she come here to tell Paula?
“It is very difficult,” Paula said, sadness overtaking her once again. “I was just telling Sabrina how Steven and I had a fight before he died.”
I looked at Paula like she was crazy. Why in the world was she sharing her personal information with loudmouthed Sabrina?
“Yes, she did,” Sabrina said, “and I told her, all couples fight, so there was nothing for her to feel bad about.”
Just then we all heard a loud crash upstairs. “I’ll be right back,” Paula said hurriedly. “No telling what those boys have gotten into.” She dashed toward the stairs.
Sabrina and I were left alone. “Such a tragedy,” she said, making a mocking face of sympathy. “And can you believe Paula has to carry that burden of knowing her last words to her husband were during a fight?” She stopped, as though a question had popped into her head. “Do you think her husband sought comfort in the arms of another woman? Because, for some reason, she now seems to think so.”
What? Did Sabrina know something I didn’t? I kept my cool as I stared at Sabrina. “I don’t know why Paula would think Steven was with someone else,” I managed to say. “He was one of the good guys.”
“You would know, right? I mean, you guys were really close back in the day. I mean, you were never home because you were always spending the night at his place.”
“We were very good friends,” I clarified.
“Friends. That’s right. Nothing more.” She made another face, to show me how ridiculous that sounded. “I don’t know why Paula’s all worried. Steven probably went to the hotel to drown his sorrows at the bar. I see it all the time. He was probably too drunk to drive, so he got a room.”
Her tone was the exact opposite of her innocent words. I was tired of playing games with her.
“Sabrina, what are you doing?” I asked.
“What do you mean?” she replied.
“You’re not Paula’s friend. So, what are you doing?”
“Ohhhh, can you school me on how a real friend should act?”
Paula walked back in. “Girl, these boys are going to be the death of me. Stevie has been acting out, and as bad as his behind was, I can’t afford for things to get any worse.”
Sabrina turned to her and smiled. “Aww, honey, it’s going to be difficult for everyone. I know you have Felise here in your corner, but don’t hesitate to call me if you need anything.”
“Thank you, Sabrina.”
She flashed a fake smile my way. “Well, I guess I’m going to give you two some BFF time.”
“Remember what we discussed,” Paula reminded her. “Let me know what the hotel security concludes with their investigation. I’m going crazy here, and any little bit of information helps.”
“Oh, I’ll definitely be in touch,” Sabrina said.
She gave Paula a hug, then flashed another tight grin at me. “I’ll see you later, Felise. I know you probably want to try and help Paula deal with this awful tragedy.”
I didn’t say anything as Paula walked Sabrina to the door. So she hadn’t told Paula anything. But the gnawing feeling in my gut told me I didn’t have long before she did. And only one thing could stop someone like Sabrina Fulton: money. I made a mental note to call Sabrina tomorrow to find out just how much it was going to take to shut her up.
28
Felise
AS SOON AS THE DOOR closed, I started in on Paula.
“What was she doing over here?” I asked. “Since when are you two friends?” The last thing I needed was Sabrina cozying up to Paula. Wherever Sabrina went, trouble wasn’t too far away, and I had enough trouble in my life.
Paula made her way back over to the love seat. “Don’t tell me you’re still trippin’ over the beef you two had back in college.”
“No,” I protested. “I just don’t understand. She’s not your friend, so I’m trying to figure out what she’s doing over here.”
Paula smiled, something I hadn’t seen her do in days. “Are we having friend envy?”
“Paula, I’m serious.”
“Calm down, girl. She came by because I had her looking into some stuff for me.”
I’d been a fool to think that night would recede into the past. “Looking into what, and why?”
She folded her arms to show me just how serious she was. “I told you. I’m not comfortable with this theory that Steven just died in his sleep. Even if it was his heart, why did it suddenly give out?”
“You said yourself, his job was stressful.” I quietly drew in a big, long breath to keep from getting worked up. If I protested too much, I might make her suspicious. “All I’m saying is I don’t see how Sabrina can help you.”
“She can help me get some answers.”
“Help you how?”
“I don’t know. She works at the Four Seasons. It’s obvious those people don’t want to talk to me. Maybe she can get them to talk to her. Maybe she can find something out that I can’t. Like who was with him the night he died.”
I froze. “Wh-why do you think somebody was with him the night he died?”
“I just do.” She had a determined look on her face, which wasn’t a good sign.
“I told you that you’re letting your imagination get the best of you.”
“And I told you that I’m not crazy.” She stomped over to the corner, and picked up a box, then brought it over and dropped it on the table in front of us. She pulled out a pair of men’s underwear and held it up.
“What is that?” I said, though I believed I knew all too well.
“Steven’s underwear.”
My heart plummeted to the
pit of my stomach. I had a vivid flash of taking them off him. “Wh-why do you have those?”
She pointed at the box. “This is the box of stuff that police brought from the hotel room.”
My heart started beating faster. I tried to recall if I had retrieved everything that belonged to me. I instantly dismissed that thought, though. I was confident that I hadn’t left anything behind.
“So his underwear proves that he was there with someone else?” I asked, trying to make sure I kept the shakiness out of my voice.
“Believe it or not, it does.” She tossed them back in the box.
“Okay, Paula, you’re seriously reaching.”
“No, hear me out.” She turned to face me like she wanted to convince me of her theory. “Steven never went to sleep in the nude.”
“What?”
“He never slept in the nude,” she repeated. “So for them to say he was found naked in bed raises a red flag. This box is all the stuff they removed from the room after the coroner removed the body. The naked body. The only time Steven went to bed with no clothes on was after sex.”
I had to grab the back of the recliner to keep from falling over. How was I supposed to know that? Did I ever know that? “Paula . . .”
“No. I was married to the man for fourteen years. I know him. He never went to bed in the nude unless he just finished having sex. It’s the one habit he was anal about.”
“Paula, I really think this is just your imagination going into overdrive.” I actually felt sick, like I was going to throw up. “I know you’re searching for some answers, but this is a stretch.” The fact that I had to try to convince my best friend to stop searching for the “other woman” was making me feel worse than I already did.
My mind raced as I searched for explanations as to why he’d be naked.
“Paula, you said yourself that the people at the hospital told you that he was drunk. He probably went to the room, took off everything, and passed out in the bed.”
She paused like she hadn’t thought about that, so I seized the opportunity.
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