“She lied to my face. She was sleeping with my man. She was in love with him. She told me that he told her they were going to be together, that he didn’t like Oakley.”
“So you put shellfish in her food?”
“Of course not! I didn’t even know she was allergic. Karma got her with the allergic reaction.” She wiped her teary face on her shoulder. “Even the universe agrees she had to pay for what she did. Don’t you see?”
“All I see is a man who is not worth all this mess and drama.”
“There is no man on this earth greater than Brooks.” Cora was reverent. “He’s charming and handsome and the captain of the football team. And his cock…”
“I’ve seen bigger,” I said.
“Him?” Cora screeched, her attention back on Marius.
I winced.
“Maybe I’ll shoot that off first.”
“Whoa,” I said, trying to stall her. “I think there’s been a big misunderstanding. Just put the gun down and walk away. No one is going to know that you were the one who killed Brooks. We won’t say anything, right, Marius? You can finally be free, Cora.”
“They’ll know it was my grandmother’s cataract medicine.” Cora sobbed. “I’m going to jail.”
“But…” I said, my mind racing.
“Stop stalling!” Cora screamed.
“You’re not a murderer, Cora,” I said urgently.
“Yes, I am! I killed the love of my life. I’ll never be able to forgive myself.”
“He died from cyanide poisoning. Your grandmother doesn’t have cyanide in her medicine cabinet.”
“But the eye drops…”
“Brooks didn’t eat those cupcakes,” Marius said. “We had tox reports done.”
“I didn’t kill Brooksey!” Cora sounded hysterical. The gun trembled in her hand, too close to Marius’s head for my comfort. “But who…?”
There was movement outside of the window.
Rosie was outside, phone to her ear.
“She’s calling the police!” Cora shrieked. The gun flailed. “I’m doomed!”
The door opened.
“Rosie, get back!” Marius barked at her. “You’ll get hurt. She has a gun.”
Rosie’s face lit up. “Oh, Marius, I knew we had a connection.” She sighed then blinked at Cora. “Cora, get that gun off of him, and shoot Emmie.”
“What?” I choked out.
Cora hesitantly lifted the gun.
“I knew it was you!” I screeched at Rosie as she stroked Marius’s face and hair then leaned in to press her lips to his. I saw red. “Get the fuck off of my man. Why are all of you trying to steal my men?”
Marius jerked.
Cora twisted the gun back on him.
