Page 17 of Little Twisted Things

“No. But he was supposed to leave for New York a couple of days before he died. He told me there was a history conference.” Her eyes swelled with tears. “But there wasn’t. He was taking his assistant on a romantic getaway.”

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Hadley.”

“Please, call me Kris.”

“Did your husband tell anyone about his affair?” I asked.

Her brows furrowed. “I don’t know. Maybe he told his friend Alex.”

“Alex?”

“Professor Alex Whitmore. He’s staying with his girlfriend, Dahlia, next door.”

“So Professor Whitmore works at the university?”

“Yes.” She nodded.

“You mentioned his girlfriend, Dahlia. What is she like?”

“She’s a good friend. We clicked the first day she moved in.”

“How long has she lived next door?” I asked.

“A few months. She’d just moved here from Seattle.”

Damn it. I was hoping it was Katherine.

“I’m sorry, Detective Walker, but I need to go lie down. Are we finished here?”

“Yes, of course. Thank you for answering my questions.” I stood from my chair. “Which house is Dahlia’s?”

“Why?” Kris frowned.

“I would like to ask Alex a few questions.”

“That one.” She pointed out the window.

Kris walked me to the door. “Again, I’m very sorry for your loss. Take care.” I stepped onto the porch and stared at the white house next door.

There were no cars in the driveway, but I took my chances anyway. I walked over, stepped onto the porch, and rang the doorbell. I waited a few moments and rang the bell again. I climbed into my car and headed to the police station to talk to Luke. He was the last person on the face of this Earth I wanted to see, but I didn’t have a choice.

I stepped into the station and took the elevator up to the second floor.

“Oh my God, Paige?” Leslie grinned, throwing her arms around me. “How’s New York?”

“It’s good.” I smiled.

“What are you doing here?”

“I’m looking into the Kevin Hadley murder.”

“Why?” Her brows furrowed.

“It resembles some similarities to a case I was working back in New York.”

“You do know that Luke is the lead detective on that case, right?”

“I know. He’s the one who called me.”