Page 46 of Little Empty Promises

“I don’t have many leads to go on so far in the case, but I did come across something this morning that could mean something,” I said.

“Oh?What is it?”

“I was looking through Cordelia’s novels.In one of them, she’d stashed a few pieces of notebook paper.She’d written notes, which I believe were about one of her neighbors.”

Kayla grabbed a fork, stuck it into her salad bowl, and then she walked over to the table and sat down next to me.“What did she write in the notes?”

“It seems she may have been spying on one of her neighbors for some time, either Rosalyn and Eddy Westwood or you and your husband, I’m not sure which.”

“How can you be sure it’s one of us?”

“Because of the way she described what she saw.The notes were taken over a five-month period, and they describe a husband and wife who weren’t getting along.There’s even mention of physical abuse.”

Kayla pressed a hand to her chest.“I can’t believe Cordelia would have been the type of person to spy on her neighbors.But if she was, I can assure you, Seth and I would have been a snore.Boring.”

“In what way?”

“In every way.At home, we’re not excitable people, I’m afraid.We’re more of a dine together, watch television, read books in bed kind of people.”

Nothing Kayla had said so far made me question whether she was being honest or not.And yet, there was a nervousness about her now that I did not detect prior to telling her about the notes I’d found.

It was easy to assume Kayla and her husband were getting a divorce under amiable circumstances.But were they as amiable as she had led me to believe?Or was she a good actor?

“What can you tell me about your other neighbors, Rosalyn and Eddy?”I asked.

She stabbed at a bit of salad with her fork.“I haven’t had the chance to get to know them on a personal level, so I can’t tell you anything.They seem nice, always give me a wave when we see each other in the front yard.”

“Have you ever witnessed anything off between them, any arguments or spats?Has there ever been anything that would make you question whether their relationship was on the rocky side?”

“I haven’t.Like I said, as far as couples go, we don’t have a relationship with them.I suppose I’ve been feeling bad about it.”

“Why?”

“I used to be the first one to welcome someone to the neighborhood.But I've been so caught up in my own life for a while, I haven’t had the energy to put time or effort into anyone else.Why?Is everything all right between them?”

“I’m not sure.I’d like to speak to Eddy, but he works random shifts at his job.I asked Rosalyn when he’d be back home.She said she didn’t know.I find it a little suspicious, living together with someone but not knowing their schedule.It doesn’t make sense to me.”

“I agree, it’s strange.I may not have the perfect marriage, but we always talk about our plans for the day.I can’t imagine a relationship where a couple doesn’t communicate those things.”

I couldn’t either.

But just because it was foreign to us didn’t mean it was foreign to them.

She went on.“You said Cordelia’s notes talked about abuse.What kind of abuse?Physical, or verbal, or both, or …?”

“As much as I’d like to share more details with you, I don’t think I should say anything else until I’ve had the chance to discuss it with the police department.I hope you understand.”

“Yes, of course.”

I was about to ask another question when I heard the sound of the front door opening.A moment later, a man entered the kitchen.He had a rolled-up yoga mat slung over his shoulder.He looked unnerved to find someone he didn’t know in his home, and he turned toward Kayla, a concerned look on his face as he said, “Who isshe?And what’s she doing inourhouse?”

18

“My name is Georgiana Germaine,” I said.“Are you Seth?”

“I am,” he said.“Why are you here?”

“I stopped by to talk to both of you about?—”

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