Page 73 of Wicked Scandal

Rome: El worked her magic, given her education in pre-law, and did everything she could to make it look like it was intentional, but I’m not sure anyone is buying it. People are losing their minds here. Read this…

“There’s an article,” I tell Wilder as I click the link.

And when I see the heading, I gasp.

“What’s it say?” he asks as he makes a sharp turn into another parking lot, bringing the car to a stop.

I read it, then pass the phone to Wilder with a shaky hand.

Breaking News: Willow Creek’s Mayor Jenkins Dead at Age 39.

Troy Jenkins, mayor of Willow Creek, was found deceased late last night from an apparent gunshot wound. Police crews were called to his home on Merry Lane at 10:13 p.m., after an anonymous call tipped off law enforcement. Investigators are working to determine if foul play is a factor in the mayor’s death.

This news comes as a shock, not only to the residents he served, but also to those who worked closely with him.

“Willow Creek will not be the same without him,” says life-long resident, Bob Denver.

Mayor Jenkins's former assistant, Beth Hill, also expressed her disbelief. “I have no words. It’s such a shock,” she told reporters. “Mayor Jenkins was such a generous and kind man. He’ll be deeply missed.”

Jenkins is one of two mayoral candidates in the 2024 election, set to be held November 8th. His opponent, Grant Cromwell, was not available for comment at this time; however, his campaign manager, Jillian Hancock, has informed reporters that he is prepared to step in as mayor of this beloved town.

Details to follow as they become available.

“Who made the call?” I ask Wilder as I pick apart this article.

“No idea.” He shrugs. “It has to be either Elodie or Rome. No one else knew.”

“Unless it was the killer.” I read it again, and again, angered over how people speak so highly of the beast that broke me in every way he could. I get it, he’s dead and we shouldn’t disrespect the deceased, but these comments are complete lies. Beth called him a kind man and said he’d be missed. Bullshit. Troy was far from kind. And why is Beth even commenting at all? I thought she moved because of the baby. Maybe that was another lie Troy told just so he could get me to work for him and be under his thumb twenty-four hours a day.

I don’t know what to believe anymore. In just a few short hours my life feels like it was flipped upside down. I’m happy my husband is gone, but I’m terrified to find out who the killer is because nothing makes sense.

Nausea hits me so hard I start to panic; the day catches up with me and Wilder strokes my hair as I try to just breathe.

“Take a breath, Cat. We will figure this out.” He’s not wrong. With him by my side, I know I can do this. I have to do this. Closing my eyes, I tell myself that maybe if I can just fall asleep the nightmare will be over.

Maybe it’s all just a dream, after all.

The next thing I know, we’re pulling into a hotel surrounded by restaurants. I roll down the window to look around and my stomach growls when I inhale the smell of grilled steak.

“We’ll stay here tonight and if there are no signs of anyone on our trail, we’ll stay longer.” Wilder pulls us into a spot and puts his hand over mine. I squeeze his, reassuring him as much as myself. Running might look bad, but staying could have looked a whole lot worse.

I’m just thankful we get to sleep in a bed tonight. All I want is to lie down with Wilder’s arms wrapped around me. Just for tonight, maybe we can pretend the outside world doesn’t exist.

Once we’re settled into a king-size suite, Wilder and I walk next door to the steakhouse and I order practically everything on the menu.

“Good?” Wilder asks with a chuckle as I stuff a big piece of medium-rare steak into my mouth and moan.

I chew it up, savoring every bite of it. “So good.” He looks down and pokes at his baked potato with his fork. “Hey,” I say softly. “Everything is going to work out,” I try to reassure him the same way he did me.

“I know. I just hate the unknown, ya know?”

And I hate that I dragged him into this. I don’t know the moment when it became him and me running away versus just me, but if I had to guess, I would say prom night was probably the key for us.

I nod because I know that feeling all too well. Every day was unknown to me. I never knew what kind of mood Troy was going to be in. I walked on eggshells for years, but for the first time in a very long time, I can finally move at my own pace.

Sadness of Troy’s passing hasn’t hit and at this point, I don't think it will. If anything, I want to thank the person who took his life so I didn’t have to do it. Wilder has asked a couple times if I think Troy committed suicide, but I don’t think that for a second.

No. Someone murdered Troy. Someone hated him as much as I did and finally had enough of his shit. Maybe one day I’ll meet that person—maybe I already have. Or it’s possible, I’ll never see them at all.

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