In the end, the trial run went well, and Ali became a regular contributor on Channel 3 news. I wasn’t surprised. After all, Ali’s good looks and quiet charisma reeled me in from the moment I met him.
But Iwascaught off guard when people started recognizing Ali while we ran errands or ate out. That was the only way Ali’s new side gig impacted our everyday lives. I started making sure to look halfwaydecent whenever we went out. I didn’t want random people thinking Ali had a sloppy wife.
Meanwhile, the kids took Ali’s new minicelebrity status in stride.
“Whatever, Dad” was Adam’s response when he heard. Most people his age didn’t watch local television news. But Adam’s enthusiasm skyrocketed once Ali started getting VIP passes to the Washington football team’s training camp. Then came the occasional free tickets, always for great seats, to other local professional sports events. After that, Adam informed Ali that he could never quit his TV gig.
“Never?” Ali teased him. “How about once you’re in college?”
“Never,” Adam reiterated. “Cuz I’m still gonna love sports even when I’m in college. And basically all of my life. Until I’m old like you.”
“Before you know it,” I said to my husband, “you’ll be taking both Adamandhis kids to games.”
“How fun is that going to be?” Ali smiled at the thought. “I can’t wait.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Now
“Again?” I asked when Nasser called from his car to tell me the detectives wanted to meet with me. I closed the door to Adam’s room, whereBintiwas napping. “What is it now?”
“They say there are new developments they want to share with you.”
Instantly nervous, I pinched the skin on my throat. Did the cops still think I was a suspect? “What kind of new developments?”
“I don’t know. Maybe they found something on Ali’s devices. Listen, I was a little delayed by a client meeting, but I’m on my way to your house now.” Beeping sounded in the background. “Get out of the way, asshole,” Nasser muttered under his breath.
“Don’t crash in your hurry to get here,” I said before realizing how that sounded. Before I remembered that Ali died in a crash. There was momentary silence.
“I’ll be careful,” Nasser promised. “If the detectives get there before me, listen to what they have to say, but don’t answer any questions until I get there.”
“Why?” I asked, bitterness in my voice. “Because they think I might have killed Ali?”
“Listen, I don’t want you to worry about that. There’s no evidence that you did anything wrong. The cops always look at the spouse. Just be smart about what you say to them. The less said, the better.”
The doorbell rang. “It looks like they beat you,” I said before hanging up and going to let the police in.
“Nasser said you have new information. Is it related to my husband’s death?” I said once we were all seated in the living room. “Is it significant?”
“It could be.” Detective Fox’s crimson-tipped fingers brushed a feather from one of my decorative pillows from her tailored tweed slacks. “It’s an avenue we’re exploring.”
“What’s the news?” I crossed my legs and then uncrossed them. I hadn’t done anything wrong, but knowing that the police suspected otherwise made me nervous.
Detective Lloyd glanced toward the front door. “Is your counsel not joining us?”
“He’s on his way, but I don’t want to wait,” I said impatiently. “I’d like to hear whatever it is you came to tell me now.”
“OK.” Detective Fox gave me a perfunctory smile that didn’t come close to reaching her eyes. “Your husband had a web page on the Channel Three website.”
“Yes, I know. It was set up so viewers could send in their financial questions.”
“And make comments,” Detective Lloyd added.
Detective Fox continued. “Your husband received threatening messages through that site.”
I gaped at her. “He did?” Ali never mentioned receiving menacing emails. “What kind of threats?”
“Threats of bodily harm. Death threats.”
