Page 40 of Rest In Peace

I sank into the couch, the cushions swallowing my body.

"Eva Rae?" His voice hovered, waiting for an anchor in the silence.

Could you please stop saying my name like I have done something wrong?

I exhaled, a shaky breath betraying my calm facade.

"I got it, Matt."

My voice wobbled like a poorly set table, ready to collapse at the slightest touch.

"Got what?" His brow furrowed, his hands tentatively reaching out as if to grasp the elusive truth.

"The information," I said quickly, too quickly. "The information I needed."

Matt paused, processing my words with a skeptic's ear. "And? What was it?" He leaned forward, his eyes searching mine for clarity. “Did you find out about the affair?”

“Yes, he admitted they had an affair,” I said. “And that he knew about it.”

“Well, that’s a big step. It gives him a pretty good motive. How did he react when you confronted him?”

"He… he wouldn’t admit to it." I avoided his gaze, focusing on an invisible spot on the wall. My heart thumped a guilty rhythm.

“Of course not,” Matt said. “But how did he react? How was his demeanor?”

“It was pretty… normal.”

"Eva Rae, this doesn't add up." Disappointment laced his voice, mingling with an edge of frustration. "You're shaking, you look— tell me what happened."

"Please, Matt." The plea cut through the room, sharp and clear. "It was all fine. Nothing happened. Just trust me on this."

"Trust works both ways." He leaned back, arms once again crossing over his chest. "I'm trying here, but you have to give me something. You promised, remember?"

I swallowed hard, the lie heavy on my tongue. "It's just another piece of the puzzle," I managed to say. "We're closer now, that's all."

Matt's shoulders slumped, the weight of unanswered questions bowing his frame. "Closer to what, Eva Rae? You're scaring me."

"Nothing dangerous," I lied again, my voice threadbare.

"Right." He nodded, though his eyes betrayed his skepticism. "Because none of this has been dangerous so far."

"Matt—"

"Save it." He held up a hand, silencing my next falsehood. "I can see there's no point in pushing."

"Thank you," I murmured, relief mingling with the sour taste of deceit.

"Doesn't mean I'm okay with this, Eva Rae." His voice faded.

"Are you hungry?" My voice quivered slightly, betraying my nerves as I turned toward the kitchen, avoiding Matt's probing stare. "I could make us something to eat."

Matt's eyes followed me as I rose to my feet, his presence like a shadow trailing my every move. "Eva Rae, food is the last thing on my mind right now."

"Right." I forced a brittle laugh. "Silly question. Well, I’m hungry, and I bet the kids are too."

I walked to the kitchen and fumbled with pots and pans, clanging them louder than necessary to fill the silence that expanded between us. I didn't dare look at him; his gaze was too penetrating, too knowing. Then he got up with much effort, and, using his crutches, he approached me.

"Talk to me," he implored from the doorway, his voice softened, but the underlying urgency unmistakable.

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