A knock on the door made her look up. She put the fish in the oven and set the timer so she wouldn’t forget about it, then she headed to the door, hoping it wasn’t Chief Holden here to arrest her.
It wasn’t.
Abigail regretted not checking who it was before opening the door right away. She tried slamming it shut, but Kevin wedged his foot in. He groaned when Abigail slammed the door on it, and Abigail took a savage satisfaction in it. She wanted to hurt him more than that, to hurt him the way he’d hurt her.
“Abigail, please. I just want to talk to you,” Kevin said.
“I have nothing to say.”
“I’ll talk.”
“I don’t want to hear more excuses, Kevin.”
“I won’t sign the divorce papers.”
That gave Abigail pause. She wasn’t surprised—nothing about Kevin surprised her anymore—but she was annoyed. She opened the door wide, but when Kevin tried to step in, she placed herself in front of him and crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at him. “Why not?”
Kevin shuffled his feet. He didn’t often look uncomfortable, and once, the sight would have made Abigail want to take care of him.
It didn’t anymore.
She waited for him to explain himself, but she had limited patience. When Marcel tried to sneak out, she had enough. “Tell me whatever you want to tell me and go sign those papers,” she snapped.
Kevin frowned. “I don’t want to get a divorce, Abby. I want you to come home.”
“You should have thought about that before you had an affair with Brittany.” The thought still made Abigail’s chest squeeze painfully, but she ignored it.
“We’re done. I broke things off with her.”
“I don’t care. I will never be able to trust either of you ever again. Sign those papers, Kevin.” Abigail knew they’d get divorced even if he didn’t, but she didn’t want to go through the hassle that would happen then. “You owe it to me.”
Kevin had the good grace to look guilty. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“You weren’t thinking.” They’d been through this already, and Abigail didn’t want to do it again. “And I don’t care what you have to say. I listened to you the first time, and I won’t do it again. We’re over. We’ll never be together again because I can’t trust you. Now, will you leave or do I have to call the police? I know the chief of police, and I’m sure he won’t mind coming.” That was a stretch, but Kevin didn’t know it. Abigail had no doubt the chief of police would come if she called the station and asked him to, though. She didn’t want to do it, but she would if it was necessary.
“Abigail, I love you. I’ve always loved you, and I made a mistake, but I swear to you I won’t do it again. Please. You can’t throw away everything we built together.”
Abigail didn’t understand Kevin. He’d had an affair with one of their closest friends—with someone Abigail had thought was her friend. Now, he was free to be with her, so why was he coming after Abigail? He wouldn’t have cheated on her if he loved and respected her, and it didn’t make sense that he was here. “You were the one who threw everything away the first time you fucked Brittany.”
Kevin winced at the words. Abigail didn’t usually speak to him—or to anyone—that way, but she was past caring. “I know I ruined everything, but it’s not lost yet. We can try again.”
“I don’t want to.”
Kevin straightened his back. “What will you do here, Abby? There’s a reason you left. You want to live in the city. You’re not a small-town girl, and while what you’re doing for your aunt is lovely, you’ll be lost once she heals. You’ll come back to me.”
Kevin stepped away from the door now. Abigail beamed at him for a moment, and his expression shifted. He probably thought he’d won.
Abigail slammed the door in his face.
It was satisfying. She wasn’t a violent person, but she might change that for Kevin.
She sucked in a breath. She couldn’t think that way. Kevin had already taken too much from her, and she should put him at the back of her mind. She couldn’t do that forever, not if she wanted to get rid of him, but for now, it would be better than wallowing in the memories and in all the ways she could hurt him.
She could tell he was still outside the door, and it took effort for her to step away. She might hate him now, but he’d been a big part of her life for close to fifteen years, and it was hard to live without him.
That was why Abigail had left. She had to start a new life without Kevin, and it would have been impossible in the city. She’d come home, hoping it would soothe her wounded spirit, but Kevin had followed her. She hoped he’d realize she wanted nothing to do with him and that he’d move on, but she couldn’t help but wonder how long it would take him.
9
Abigail was still thinking about whether or not she should tell Chief Holden about Martha and Roger the next morning as she walked to work. It was easier than thinking about Kevin, who had stayed on her porch for close to half an hour before leaving after she’d slammed the door in his face. She hated that she’d done her best to be silent so he wouldn’t hear her. Even though she’d left him, he was still in her life, clinging to her and making her doubt everything.
That wouldn’t do. She’d left Kevin and the life she’d shared with him behind, and she wasn’t going back to him. She also didn’t want to think about him, though, so she focused on Roger and Randall’s death.
Could Roger have done it? He had more than one reason to, even though Abigail didn’t want to believe it. She didn’t know Roger, but they’d talked a few times, and she liked him. He was a gentle middle-aged man, and he’d been so flustered when Abigail had walked in on him and Martha last night that she had difficulties considering he could have hit Randall on the back of the head. He might have, though.
From the little she knew, Abigail suspected Randall’s death had been a crime of convenience. The paperweight had belonged to Randall. That meant the killer hadn’t gone to Randall’s office planning to kill him. They’d probably fought, and the killer had grabbed the paperweight from the desk and had hit Randall.
Anyone could have done it. Of course, whoever it was had to have a good reason to get angry enough to kill Randall, even if it had been impulse, or maybe especially if it had been. Who, then?
All of that didn’t help Abigail decide whether or not she should talk to Chief Holden. She didn’t want to get Roger in trouble if he didn’t have anything to do with the murder, but she didn’t like how Chief Holden had interrogated her yesterday. It was a normal part of his job, but would he dig further, or would he stop with Abigail and think that since she was new in town, she had to be the killer?
Abigail didn’t know what to think. Even if Chief Holden didn’t accuse her, he ought to know about Roger and Martha. It could help him with the investigation. But Abigail didn’t like the thought of being a snitch, and she didn’t want to get Roger in trouble.
She huffed. Thinking about it wasn’t helping. Luckily, she was almost at the shop, and she hoped the bustle of the day would help distract her.
“Abby!”
Abigail looked up to see Lee coming toward her, dragged by the same German Sheppard he’d been walking the other day. Siegfried was there, too, and Abigail crouched to pet both of them when they reached her. Siegfried’s tongue lolled to the side, while the German Sheppard was more distinguished and accepted the cuddles holding his head high. “Already at work?” Abigail asked.
Lee grinned at her. “Always. People like for me to walk their dog early in the morning so I can go back during the afternoon and walk them a second time before their owners come back from work. What about you?”
“I’m headed to the shop.”
“How’s your aunt?”
“She’s fine.”
Lee hesitated. “Is Chief Holden still after her?”
Abigail frowned. “He’s not after her.”
“Oh. I heard he came to the
shop a few times. Since I know Randall was trying to buy the shop, I thought Chief Holden was asking your aunt about it.”
Abigail snorted. “He knows she couldn’t have done it, not with her arm in a cast. No, he was there to talk to me.”
Lee’s eyes widened. “You? But you didn’t kill Randall.”
“I know that, but Chief Holden isn’t sure.”
“Is he going to arrest you?”
“I don’t think so.”
Lee shook his head. “It’s not fair. You had nothing to do with this. Why would you have killed Randall?”
“I don’t know what the chief thinks.”
“Well, if he arrests you, people aren’t going to be happy.”
Abigail was surprised. “People?” She knew her parents and the rest of her family would protest, but everyone else? She wasn’t sure. They didn’t know her, not well. A lot of the people in town had watched her grow up, but she wasn’t the kid she’d been when she’d left. She’d gone to college. She’d gotten married. She’d gotten divorced. Well, she was getting divorced.
Lee’s cheeks flushed and he looked away. “You know. Your family. Me.”
“You?”
He looked at Abigail again. “Yeah, me. We were friends once. I think we can be friends again.”
Abigail hoped they could. She felt loneliness keenly. She knew it was her fault—she’d never been good at making friends, and she’d isolated herself even more while she’d been with Kevin. He hadn’t demanded it or anything like that, but it had been easier for her. She’d thought he was enough, and he had been in the beginning. But she’d realized it was wrong after he’d cheated on her and she’d found herself utterly alone. The only close friend she’d had was the woman Kevin had cheated with, and Abigail had no one to talk to.
But that was the past. She had the possibility of becoming Lee’s friend again, and she wanted to take it. “I saw something,” she said before she could think better of it.
Lee blinked at her. “Like what?”
“Two people doing something they shouldn’t have been doing.”
Lee stepped closer and lowered his voice even though no one else was close by. “What were they doing?”
“Nothing bad. Kissing. But one of those people is married, and not to the person they were kissing.” Abigail hesitated. She didn’t want Roger to get in trouble, but Lee wouldn’t tell anyone about this. Right? And he could help her make a decision. Still, she didn’t want to give names, not yet, not when she wasn’t sure she could trust Lee. “It might have to do with the murder.”
“And you won’t tell me who you saw.”
“I don’t want them to get in trouble if they had nothing to do with Randall’s death.”
“How do you know they didn’t, though? You said one of those persons is married, and I can take an educated guess at who at least one of them is since it has to do with Randall’s death.”
Abigail should have thought about that. “I’m not sure what to do. I don’t want to tell Chief Holden, but at the same time, I’m wondering if I should.”
“I agree that you should. Chief Holden knows what he’s doing. Give him that information and let him deal with it. You’re a suspect, Abby. Wouldn’t it be better if his suspicions moved on to someone else?”
“It would, but what if they’re innocent?”
“Then Chief Holden will find out. I understand where you’re coming from, but you can’t hide this, not when it might help solve the murder. Besides, I’m sure Chief Holden will find out eventually. You could make the difference by telling him now and giving him the time to investigate it. And if they had nothing to do with the murder, well, he’ll find out. I might not like that you’re one of his suspects, but so far, he hasn’t done anything wrong. He won’t be happy if he finds out you knew about this and didn’t tell him, though. He might even think you did it on purpose.”
Abigail sighed. She wasn’t happy, but Lee wasn’t wrong. What would it change if she told Chief Holden about Martha and Roger? Probably nothing. They weren’t careful when Abigail walked in on them, and she doubted it was the first time, or that it would be the last. Someone else was bound to find out about them, and they might not have as many scruples as Abigail. If they’d wanted to keep their relationship a secret, they shouldn’t have been kissing in the shop with the door unlocked.
“I’ll tell him,” she agreed.
Lee let out a big breath. “Good. I was afraid I’d have to convince you somehow. Do you want me to go with you to the station? I can take the dogs home now.”
“No. I have to get to the shop. I’ll try to go during lunch break.”
“You won’t change your mind?”
“No.” Because no matter how she felt about spying on Roger and Martha, Randall was dead, and his killer should pay, whether or not it was one of them.
Abigail was closing when she noticed Chief Holden walking down the street. She looked at Aunt Charlotte, hesitating. She should help her aunt close, but she wanted to talk to Chief Holden. She couldn’t tell Aunt Charlotte that, though. Aunt Charlotte had just stopped talking about investigating Randall’s murder. It would send her on the warpath again, and Abigail didn’t want to risk it.
Abigail could catch Chief Holden at the station, but she was wary of going there. The entire town would know about her visit minutes after it happened, and they would talk. They would if they saw her talking to Chief Holden, too, but talking to him on the sidewalk was different than talking at the station.
“You’re distracted,” Aunt Charlotte said.
Abigail bit her lower lip. “I have something to do.”
Aunt Charlotte frowned. “Does it have to do with Kevin’s visit?”
Everyone in town knew about Kevin now. One of Abigail’s neighbors had seen him on the porch and had noticed that his conversation with Abigail wasn’t a happy one. The word had spread, and Aunt Charlotte, along with Abigail’s parents, had called her to check in on her. Abigail could have done without the entire situation, including Kevin’s surprise visit. But her family cared and worried about her, no matter how annoying she found it.
She cleared her throat. “Nothing to do with Kevin.”
“Is he still in town?”
“I don’t know. I doubt it.” He’d probably gone back because of work, and that was perfectly fine with Abigail. She wished he’d sign the divorce papers, but in the meantime, the further he was from her, the better she would feel.
“Go.”
Abigail blinked at her aunt. “What?”
Aunt Charlotte smiled. “You’re distracted, and I can close on my own.”
“Are you sure?”
“I may have a broken arm, but I’m not an invalid. Go. I’ll be fine on my own, and you need to focus on something else, something enjoyable.”
Abigail didn’t have to be told twice. She wasn’t looking forward to talking to Chief Holden, but she had to, and not only because she wanted to tell him about Martha and Roger. She also wanted to ask him if he still suspected her of the murder. She hoped the answer would be no, but she had to know, even if it wasn’t.
She rushed out the door after grabbing her handbag and looked around. Chief Holden was at the end of the street about to turn to the left, maybe to go to the pub. It was a popular spot for dinner, and Abigail had gone a few times herself since she’d come back, although not as often as she wished because people never stopped staring at her and asking her about Kevin.
“Chief Holden!” she called out before he could disappear.
He stopped and turned. Abigail couldn’t be sure, but she thought he grimaced when he saw her. Still, he stayed where he was, waiting for her, and she hurried to reach him. “Good evening,” she said.
“Ms. Kinsman. What can I do for you?”
He was terse, watching Abigail, and she could tell he wasn’t happy to see her. She didn’t care much, but she found herself wishing he’d smile more. He was a handsome man, and the frown that seemed to be his constant
expression didn’t take away from that, but she wanted to see him smile. “I had a question.”
“I’m listening.”
Abigail sucked in a breath. “Am I still a suspect?”
Chief Holden stared at her for a moment. “I shouldn’t be talking to you about this.”
“I’m not asking for details. I just want to be able to sleep at night. Please.”
He sighed, and to Abigail’s surprise, relaxed. His shoulders slumped just a bit and his expression smoothed over. “You’re not a suspect, no. I never really believed you killed Mr. Mersen, but I had to ask.”
Relief flooded Abigail. “Thank you.”
“There’s nothing to thank me for. I’m doing my job, and if the clues pointed toward you, I would follow them there.”
“Who are they pointing to?” Abigail knew he wouldn’t answer, but it couldn’t hurt to ask.
“I can’t answer that.”
“Do you suspect Aunt Charlotte, then? Because you know she wouldn’t have been able to do it, not with a broken arm. And she broke the right one, the one she uses to write. She’d useless with her left arm. It’s why I’m helping her with the shop.”
“I can’t talk about the investigation, Ms. Kinsman.”
“I have to talk to you about it.”
“Isn’t that what we’ve been doing since you called out to me?”
Something fluttered in Abigail’s stomach. She ignored it. “I saw something you should know.”
That got Chief Holden’s attention. “Yes?”
Abigail hated this, and she probably didn’t have to do it, not now that Chief Holden had admitted he didn’t suspect her. He hadn’t said anything about Aunt Charlotte, though, and it was the right thing to do, or at least, Abigail thought so. “Randall’s wife. She’s having an affair.”
Chief Holden blinked, but that was his only reaction. “And how would you know that?”
“I saw her. I—I walked in on her and Roger, the bookstore owner. They were kissing.”
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