Page 9 of Little Twisted Things

“Don’t bother reading that,” I said. “And you’re only apologizing because you got caught. Stop here.”

The SUV came to a halt. I reached for the door handle.

“Get out slowly,” I commanded.

Come sunrise, someone would make a terrible discovery. Police would scour the area, reporters would gather at the gruesome scene, and the headlines would write themselves. Another body under the same tree. Another mystery. And at my home in Key West, I would be pouring my morning coffee, watching and listening to every word.

5

The guilt I was supposed to feel never came. The need I had was satisfied, and peace coursed through my body. Another cheating husband was gone. But Kris wouldn’t discover at first that her husband was cheating. Not until the police questioned her about the exchanged text messages between her husband and Rachel.

The bell above the gallery door greeted me as I stepped inside.

“Dahlia!” Tess ran over before I could even put my purse away. “Thank God you’re here.”

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Have you heard?” She gripped my arm.

“Heard what?” My brows furrowed.

“The history professor.”

“What history professor?”

“Professor Kevin Hadley from the university.”

“He’s my neighbor. What happened?”

“Oh, my God.” She glanced around the empty gallery. “Someone murdered him.”

“What?” I acted shocked.

“They found him this morning.”

“Oh, my God. Where?”

“Fort Zachary Taylor State Park.”

“The same park where that young woman was found a couple of weeks ago?”

“They’re saying it might be the same killer. The body was found under the same tree as that girl.”

I pretended to panic. “Tess. Kevin and his wife, Kris, are my neighbors and good friends. Do you mind if I take the day off to be with her? She must be devastated. Alex and I just had them over to my house for dinner a few nights ago.”

“Of course. Go. The gallery will be fine.”

“I feel like I’m going to be sick.” I played the part.

“Go, Dahlia. Go comfort your friend.”

I grabbed my purse and headed to my car. The news had to reach Miami, and I was sure Alex would be calling soon. Bingo. I was right. His picture flashed on my screen before I climbed into my car.

“Alex, did you hear?” I answered.

“Dahlia, I can’t believe it. Who would do that to Kevin?”

“I don’t know. I just found out when Tess told me. I’m on my way to Kris’s house now.”