“Was your husband aware?” I asked.
“Aware of what?”
“Their growing attraction.”
She frowned and took a deep breath. “He found out the same time I did. Needless to say, it caused a lot of tension around the house. Stephanie seems to think she loves Liam.”
“Is she aware of his demise?”
“I’m not sure. I haven’t talked to her since early this morning.”
“Where is she now?”
“In school.”
I shared a look with Jack, then asked Gwen, “How did your husband react when he found out?”
“How do you think he reacted? He was pissed. Wouldn’t you be?”
“Of course. Did he express any desire to harm Liam?”
"He may have said a few things in the heat of passion, but nothing any normal person wouldn't have said. My husband is not a violent man. He would not have assaulted Liam. He would have handled it through the proper channels.”
"Why wasn't this reported to the police?"
"Their relationship?”
I nodded.
"As far as I'm aware, their relationship began after she turned 18. She's an adult. She can make her own decisions. Though her choices aren't always the best.”
I think Gwen didn’t want to take any responsibility.
She clutched her pearls. "You can imagine my embarrassment when I found out my daughter was involved with the same man I was."
"Is your husband aware of your infidelity?”
"Oh God no.”
"Are you sure about that?”
"He would have said something by now. Believe me. With everything that's happened, he would have given me an earful." She paused. "You have to understand, I love my husband, but I have needs." She cleared her throat. "Needs that aren't always met. What am I supposed to do? I'm not getting any younger. Am I supposed to live the rest of my life unfulfilled? No! Of course not. That would be absurd. If he's not willing to take care of business, I am more than free to seek satisfaction elsewhere."
She was great at justifying. I figured Gwen could justify just about anything she wanted.
It was about that time when someone burst through the front door.
Gwen sprang to her feet and hurried into the foyer to see what the commotion was all about. "Stephanie, what's wrong?"
JD and I shared a look, climbed off the couch, and joined her.
"Liam's dead!" Stephanie exclaimed, tears streaking her mascara. She stormed up the steps. "Dad killed him! I hate you people!”
Stephanie marched up the stairs and stomped down the hall to her bedroom. She slammed the door shut and locked it.
Gwen shared an awkward glance with us. "She doesn't mean that. She's just upset. I'll go talk to her."
Gwen climbed the grand staircase, and we followed. She tried Stephanie’s door, but it was locked. Pop music filtered out of the room, drowning out Gwen’s voice. “Stephanie, open the door!”
