The Wife Stalker

by Liv Constantine

  “I guess,” Stelli replied slowly.

  Piper smiled at him. “Good. It’s going to be so much fun. We can even build a fire in the pit outside and make s’mores.”

  “We used to make s’mores with Mommy,” Stelli said.

  Why did he have to keep bringing her up? Piper thought. But before she could steer the conversation in another direction, Evie piped in. “Mommy used to like Maine until the last few times. She was sad there.”

  Piper frowned. This was news to her. “Do you know why she was sad?”

  “I think because they had a lot of fights that time.”

  “You mean the last time you were all there?”

  “Yes.”

  Piper tried not to sound too curious. “What did they fight about?”

  “I don’t know. I couldn’t hear what they were saying. I could only hear how loud their voices were. It made me cry. Daddy was yelling at her, and she was crying.”

  They both became quiet, and Piper stood. “Finish up your snacks, and then you can bundle up and go outside to play.”

  Stelli slurped down the rest of his smoothie, then picked up the tangerine Piper had peeled for him and put a slice in his mouth. “If we go to Maine, maybe Mommy will come and make s’mores with us again.”

  “Oh, sweetie,” Piper said. “Mommy won’t be there, but she will be watching you from heaven. She sees you all the time and knows what you’re doing. She’s happy for you.”

  “I don’t want her in heaven. I want her here.” His shoulders began heaving as he sobbed. Piper wrapped her arms around him and held him until he was cried out.

  48

  Joanna

  I woke up early on Christmas morning, thinking of the kids and wondering if they were missing me as much as I was missing them. My phone rang, and I wondered who could be calling me on Christmas Day. I was surprised to see Rebecca’s number on the screen. My pulse quickened. “Rebecca, hi, are the kids okay?”

  “Yes, but I’m worried about them.”

  “What’s going on?”

  She cleared her throat. “After what you told me, I’ve been watching Piper a little more carefully. Stelli’s still having a lot of stomachaches. They may just be due to all this green-smoothie and sprouted-bread stuff—it’s a lot of food he’s not used to . . .”

  “How often is he getting these stomachaches?”

  “Every day.”

  I felt my blood run cold.

  Rebecca continued. “But the reason I’m calling . . . well, after what you told me about her first husband, I thought you should know . . . They’re going to Bar Harbor tomorrow morning.”

  “In the winter? Leo never goes there this time of year.”

  “I know. They were supposed to go to St. Barts. In fact, we all were, but at the last minute Piper talked him into going to Maine instead. And she told me I didn’t need to come, that I could take the week off.”

  Why would Piper cancel a trip to the beautiful tropics to drive up to freezing Maine? It didn’t make sense. “When did all this happen?”

  “Just last night. And that’s not all. They’re going hiking. I overheard her talking to Leo about it. I keep thinking of how high that house is, and about those trails, how easy it would be for someone to fall,” Rebecca went on.

  Stelli was afraid of heights, and Leo knew that. Was Piper planning something like what had happened to Ethan Sherwood? “Thanks so much for calling me, Rebecca.”

  “Please, you have to keep this between us,” she pleaded.

  “Of course,” I said. “Don’t worry—they won’t find out you called me. Just please, stay close to the kids until they go. I’ll drive up there tonight so I can keep an eye on things.”

  “Of course I’ll watch them today. But be careful, Joanna.”

  I assured her I would be. If I hadn’t already been convinced that it was time to act, the phone call from Rebecca cinched it. Who goes to Maine in the winter? And Piper was planning a hike? Acadia would be practically deserted, so there’d be no witnesses if she did something. I had to cut her off at the pass.

  After showering, I pulled out a few things and threw them in a suitcase. I’d have to figure out my plan on the drive; I always think better in the car anyway. There was no way Piper was going to kill another child, especially not the ones I loved so much.

  Mom was asleep, so I left her a note on the kitchen table. She wouldn’t be happy to be alone on Christmas, but I had no choice. I made myself a quick coffee, shaking. I had to get to Leo before they went on that hike. Maybe even before that. She could be planning to push him down the mountain behind the house.

  I looked at my watch, almost eight. I had one more thing to do before leaving, one thing that was going to serve as insurance and justification for at least one part of my life if all of this went south.

  Opening my laptop, I clicked on a desktop folder and opened a file. Going to Facebook, I logged in and posted the document. Methodically, I went through the other thirty-one files in the folder and did the same. When I got back from Maine, there would be—as my mother would say—a shit show waiting.

  49

  Piper

  Christmas morning had been quiet, Leo wanting little pomp and circumstance as the children were still missing their mother. They had showered the kids with gifts, hoping to distract them from the one thing they wanted most. On Christmas Eve, Leo had given Piper her present in private—a beautiful diamond-and-emerald infinity band.

  Later that night Piper helped Evie pack. “Let’s not forget these boots, they’re perfect for hiking,” Piper said, taking them from the closet and putting them in the suitcase. “Now, what else?”

  “Can I take my Nancy Drews?”

  “Of course. What kind of trip would it be without books?” She smiled as Evie added two of the yellow hardcovers to her suitcase. “Okay, I think we’re finished. Why don’t you get your pajamas on, and I’ll go check on Stelli?”

  She walked down the hallway to his bedroom and found him sitting on the floor, the empty suitcase open next to him. “Let’s get you packed for the morning, Stelli.”

  He leaned his head on his knees and wrapped his arms around them. “I don’t feel good. I don’t want to go,” he mumbled.

  “Does something hurt?”

  “My stomach. I want to stay home.” He kept his head down as he spoke.

  “I’ll fix you something to help your tummy and make it all better.”

  He looked up at her, tears running down his cheeks. “Why do we have to go to Maine? It’s cold there.”

  She leaned down to wipe a tear from his cheek. “It’s going to be nice this week, and it will be fun, Stelli. I promise. And after we go hiking, we’ll roast marshmallows and have hot chocolate. We’ll build a big fire in the fireplace and play games. You’ll have a good time.”

  He put his head down again and didn’t answer.

  “I’m going to pack some things for you, and then I want you and Evie to come downstairs. I’m going to show you pictures on the computer of the really neat trails we can go on. That way you can see everything ahead of time. We’ll all decide together which trails we’re going to take. How does that sound?”

  He looked up at her again. “Okay, I guess.”

  “Good,” she said, ruffling his hair. “Your pajamas are on the bed. Why don’t you put them on while I pack your suitcase? You can run downstairs and tell Daddy to meet us in the kitchen.”

  Piper finished packing Stelli’s suitcase, closed the lid, and called to her stepdaughter as she passed her room. “Evie, come to the kitchen. We’re going to take a look at the trails we want to hike. Your dad and Stelli are waiting for us.”

  When they got downstairs, Piper made some ginger tea for Stelli. “Here you go, this will help your tummy.”

  He took a sip and made a face. “Yuck.”

  She took the mug, went over to the counter, and put a spoonful of honey in it. “Try it now,” she told him.

  He took a tentative sip. />
  “Better?”

  He nodded.

  “Drink it all down. It’s good for you.”

  Evie took a seat, and Piper opened the laptop. “Take a look . . . I was thinking of Ocean Trail and Flying Mountain Trail.”

  “Flying Mountain!” Stelli said. “That sounds scary.”

  She looked at Leo. “It’s a very moderate hike.” Turning to Stelli, she continued. “It was named by the Wabanaki Indians because it looked like it flew off a nearby mountain.”

  “I’ve done that trail. It’s pretty tame, but before the summit, you do have to walk over some exposed ledges. It might be a bit much for Stelli,” Leo said.

  “It’s okay to have fear, but we all need to face our fears and get past them. Let’s sleep on it and see how we all feel once we’re there.” Before anyone could disagree again, she plowed on. “Time for bed, guys. Make sure you brush your teeth, and Daddy will be up to tuck you in.” She was in no mood to read bedtime stories. Leo could do that tonight.

  “Do we have to? Can’t we stay up a little longer?” Stelli whined.

  “Well . . .” Leo looked at Piper, and she shook her head. “Piper’s right. We have a big day tomorrow. You need to get your sleep.” He rose from his seat. “Let’s go.”

  She could have done without his making her look like the bad guy, but she wasn’t going to quibble in front of everyone. After they’d gone upstairs, she studied the website and thought about the kids’ reaction. The way Stelli had been overindulged by his mother had made him anxious and fearful. Evie had seemed to escape the worst of their mother’s neuroses, but Stelli had obviously picked up some of them. It was tragic, really, what some mothers did to their children.

  She closed her eyes, rubbing her forehead. She thought she’d finally be part of the perfect family when she met Leo and he’d introduced her to the kids. They needed a mother, he said, and he wanted a wife. Evie and Stelli were young. It wouldn’t take long for them to accept her, she’d thought. But lately, Stelli had reminded her more and more of Mia. She hadn’t realized that a child so young could be this manipulative, but Stelli was proving it to her, and just as Matthew had been unable to see through Mia’s subversions, so Leo thought Stelli was completely innocent of any undermining.

  This trip had to be a turning point in her marriage—she would make sure that things were going her way sooner rather than later. She focused again on the computer, picked up a pen, and began to list the trails in order of difficulty. Stelli was going to learn his place this week, and Evie? Well, she hoped Evie would stay as sweet as ever.

  50

  Joanna

  The ache in my back and neck grew more intense the closer I got to the Maine state line. I’d stopped only once, for a large cup of coffee, but the caffeine had only made my already-jangling nerves even worse, and that wasn’t good since I knew I needed to stay calm and focused. Ava had called me last night to tell me that she’d been unable to reach Leo on the phone, despite leaving several messages. Piper had to be responsible for that, I felt sure.

  After another hour, I pulled into a rest area to use the bathroom, returning to the car with a granola bar and getting back on the road. I was set to reach the house just before dark. I thought of the last time I’d been to the house. By the time we’d arrived, everyone was happy to be there, and I’d cooked us a warm meal, after which we’d roasted marshmallows outside over the fire pit, the sound of crashing waves in the background. Had I known it would be the last time we’d all be there together, I’d have soaked it in even more.

  It was dusk when I got there, and as I pulled up the long driveway and the house came into view, it felt as though I could finally expel all my pent-up breath. I killed the engine and got out of the car, breathing in the salty sea air. The wind blew my hair in front of my eyes, and I tucked it behind my ears, hurrying to the front door. I entered the key code and was relieved when the door opened. Walking through the rest of the house, I examined every room, every knickknack. The living room still had the family portrait over the fireplace. A red frame caught my eye, and I walked over to the coffee table to look at the picture it held. It was a picture from last winter of me with Stelli and Evie in front of a snowman we’d made in Connecticut. I thought about how much they’d grown since then, and my heart squeezed almost unbearably. I kissed the picture and put it back down. The sun had gone down now, and the house was dark.

  I went to the kitchen and found the key to the guest cottage. I’d sleep there tonight. Even though they weren’t expected until tomorrow, I didn’t want anyone to drive by and see lights on. Getting back in my car, I drove to Mountain Peak Café, one of the few spots that I knew was open year-round. I’d have dinner there, then drive back in the dark and park my car a little farther down the road, where it wouldn’t stand out.

  The cottage was pitch-black, and I used my phone’s flashlight to illuminate the way as I pulled down the blackout shades. I’d also bought a small lantern that wouldn’t be seen from the outside with the shades drawn. I knew the woods provided enough camouflage so no one would find me here, but that I, using my binoculars, would be able to see up to the house and watch until the opportunity came to act. I pulled out my iPad and tried to read a novel, but I just couldn’t concentrate. I kept thinking that I should be in the main house, sleeping in the master bedroom, not hiding like a criminal in the guesthouse. I was suddenly filled with a hatred so intense that I could barely contain it. Images of Piper and Leo together taunted me, and I clenched my fists so hard that my nails dug into my skin. Why did it seem that I was always the one left behind?

  Maybe Celeste had been right about the parallels between Leo and my father. After all, my father had replaced me with a younger woman, too. But at least his wife hadn’t been a psychopath. I was going to stop Piper—or die trying.

  51

  Piper

  Piper hadn’t realized how difficult it could be to travel with young children. Evie and Stelli were querulous the entire way to Maine. They must have stopped at least five times on the seven-hour trip, either for a bathroom break, a snack, or just to stretch their legs. Stelli was complaining yet again that his stomach hurt. By the time they reached Bar Harbor, she needed a break. The charm of the town soon restored her good humor, though, and she couldn’t wait to go meandering downtown and visit the little shops. When they pulled up to the house, she actually gasped—the pictures hadn’t done it justice. It was magnificent. A sprawling gray house high on a cliff overlooking the crashing waves. The kids ran from the car and to the front door ahead of her and Leo.

  “I have to poop again!” Stelli called as he jumped up and down.

  Leo ran to the front door, punched in the code, and opened it. Piper took it all in as she entered. This house was everything their Westport one wasn’t—open and sleek, with beautiful wood floors and moldings, enormous windows with views to the water below, and inviting French country decor. She dropped her bag on the staircase and walked into the living room, where almost an entire wall was taken up by a charcoal-colored stone fireplace. She froze when her eyes traveled up to the portrait above it, which must have been taken at least four years ago. Stelli was a toddler, and Evie looked to be about four. She moved in to examine it more closely—handsome husband, adorable kids, beautiful wife. Piper took in her long, dark hair, the luminous brown eyes framed by long, thick eyelashes. The same eyes that Stelli had. They looked like the perfect family. Leo’s arm was wrapped protectively around his wife, her hand on Stelli’s shoulder, his on Evie’s. Piper really didn’t want to have to look at it all weekend, but she didn’t think she could ask him to take it down without seeming insensitive.

  Sighing, she walked into the kitchen and was pleased to see there were no reminders here. It was smaller than she’d anticipated, almost rustic, but with top-of-the-line appliances. There was a granite island with four stools neatly lined up, and Piper found herself wondering about all the meals the four of them had shared here, as a family, before she’d co
me along.

  She had to stop this. Leo had had a life before her, just as she had had a life before him. The difference was that he didn’t have to live in the shadow of her last husband. She was starting to understand his reluctance to bring her here. She took a deep breath and decided that it was time she began leaving her own imprint on this house. Tomorrow, she’d begin by picking up some housewares and replacing a few things—just a few. Over time, she could make sure that very little remained of another woman’s touch.

  Continuing her tour, she opened a set of French doors to the sunroom, a cozy space that looked out to the immense deck spanning the entire length of the house. Moving through, she walked outside, where the bracing sea air made her hug herself even though it was unseasonably warm. Tomorrow it was supposed to be in the fifties again, which would be perfect for their hike.

  Breathing deeply, she took in the panoramic view. She could see herself spending hours out here, looking at the water, meditating, doing yoga. Walking to the steps, she went down and walked closer to the edge, looking down at the ocean. She could see why Leo was nervous about the kids wandering too close to the edge. They were at least three hundred feet above the jagged rocks. She shuddered and turned back to the house.

  Everyone was already installed in the kitchen when she walked back inside—Leo stirring something on the stove, Stelli building a Star Wars Lego set, and Evie coloring.

  “What smells so good?” she asked.

  “My famous chili.”

  “How did you get the groceries? We haven’t even gone to the store yet.” She walked over to the sideboard, poured herself a glass of wine from the open bottle of Rutherford, and took a sip.

  “I called ahead, my dear. Lloyd, our caretaker, filled the refrigerator for us. I even made sure he got the carrot juice and some of that other rabbit food you’re so fond of.”