Page 54 of He Doesn't Deserve You

Emily turned to Agnes and said, “Can you take Ava to the kitchen for a snack?”

Agnes extended her hand to Ava and led her out of the room, “Come on, Ava. I made a batch of cookies today.”

Detective Martin started to cough, and Emily asked, “Would you like a glass of water?”

He cleared his throat. “Yes, please.”

“You can have a seat in the living room. I’ll be right back,” Emily said, leaving the foyer and heading to the kitchen.

Returning to the living room, she found Detective Martin seated on the couch, while Detective Johnson stood by the fireplace mantle, closely examining a picture frame.

“Here you are,” Emily said, handing Detective Martin the glass of water.

“Thank you,” he replied, taking a large sip.

Detective Johnson picked up the picture frame from the mantle and studied it. “This is a beautiful scarf,” he remarked, carrying the frame over to Detective Martin. “Isn’t this a beautiful scarf?” he asked, showing him the picture.

Detective Martin’s eyes widened. “It’s beautiful. It looks expensive.”

Taking the picture from him, Emily carried it back to the mantle. “It’s a one-of-a-kind Gianni Versace. Gabriel got it for me on our honeymoon in Italy.” She placed it back in its spot and turned to face the detectives.

“Would you mind telling me what this is all about? As you can see, I was on my way out,” Emily said, her tone tinged with annoyance.

“We’ll get to that in a minute. Do you still have the scarf?”

“Yes, why?” Emily asked, puzzled.

Detective Martin got to his feet. “Can you go and get it, please?”

Glancing at the grandfather clock and aware that Roman would arrive soon if she didn’t leave, Emily said, “I don’t have time for this.”

“Please, just go and get it,” he said firmly, leaving little room for argument.

Emily sighed frustratedly before leaving the room to retrieve the scarf. She hurried up the stairs, and upon reaching the top, she quickly sent Roman a text message: “Everything’s okay, but I’ll be a little late.” After hitting the send button, she rushed into her walk-in closet, opened the armoire, and began tossing scarves into the air, searching frantically for the one she needed. However, it was nowhere to be found.

Although she couldn’t remember wearing it recently, Emily rummaged through the dirty laundry basket just in case. She didn’t fully understand the detectives’ interest, but her gut told her the scarf was significant, and finding it was important. After tearing her closet apart, Emily had to accept that the scarf was missing. Reluctantly, she headed back downstairs to inform the detectives.

Emily stepped into the living room and said, “I can’t find it. What is this all about?”

“Maggie Culliver is dead,” Detective Martin said grimly.

Emily’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh my God.”

“Your scarf was found at the crime scene,” Detective Martin continued, stepping closer. “Emily Anderson, you’re under arrest for the murder of Maggie Culliver.”

He grabbed her arms, brought them behind her back, and cuffed her, then recited her Miranda rights.

Emily’s first thoughts were of her daughter. Turning to Detective Johnson, she pleaded, “Please, can you tell Agnes what is happening? Tell her to keep Ava in the kitchen. I don’t want her to see any of this; it will scare her.”

Detective Johnson nodded and headed to the kitchen.

As soon as Roman read Emily’s text, he grabbed his car keys and dashed out of the house. He cursed himself for letting her handle this onher own. If he lays a finger on her, I’ll kill him, he thought, as he floored the gas pedal to the ground.

When he reached her house, Roman slammed the car into park, leaving it running as he jumped out and sprinted to the door. Pounding his fist heavily against it, he shouted, “Emily, open up! Are you okay?”

Growing impatient, he pounded on the door again. A moment later, he heard a woman’s voice call out, “I’m coming, hold your horses!”

The moment the door opened, Roman stepped inside and called out, “Emily, where are you?” He charged through the foyer, noticing the luggage by the staircase. Just as he started to make his way up the stairs, he heard Agnes say, “She’s not here.”

---