Page 55 of Scripted for Love and Poison
“Really. He told me you’d told him you’ve found something in Simon Smith’s manuscript.”
“Oh, that,” Sol said.
“Yes, that. Some of us still have a case to solve.” Did the detective sound a bit flustered?
“It may be nothing, it’s just the manuscript came with an acknowledgments section at the very end. I thought it was a bit odd. It’s nothing you include at that stage in the writing process,” Sol explained. “I read it mostly because it’s one of my favorite things to read in books in general. It can be a window into a part of the author’s life and their network of family, friends, and professional relationships. But unlike what happens in most books, Simon doesn’t have a word of thanks for anyone.”
“Charming.”
“Very much in character. Plus, it almost sounds as if it was some sort of riddle.” She reached for the last pages of Simon Smith’s manuscript inside her bag and proceeded to read to Divya. “I scorn the echoes of my final act. Think I’m silent now? Look past these lines. If you seek the truth behind this page. Look beyond death—beyond the final stage.”
“Oh bloody hell! What’s all that about?”
“I guess you didn’t crack the riddle in one go then,” Sol said.
“Of course I didn’t. I’m good, but I’m notthatgood. Send me a picture of those lines, will you?”
“On it. And I’ll let you know if I find anything else in the book.”
“Good, and Sol,” said Divya, and she sounded worried.
“Yes?”
“Be careful.”
28
Even after fifty-five minutes of sweat, pain, and strength training, Sol was still furious with Luke. And she was furious at herself for giving him so much headspace. As if that wasn’t bad enough, she wasn’t exactly looking forward to her appointment in Santa Monica.
“You sure about this?” Lola asked her for the umpteenth time.
“I made you drive me all the way here. You bet I’m sure,” Sol told her friend.
“I wouldn’t mind if you changed your mind. We could go grab something sweet at Sidecar Donuts and have a chat about that eviction you forced at my place in the early morning,” Lola said.
“Luke had been a total ass,” Sol said defensively.
“I’m on your side, remember?” Lola said. “I’m just curious how you got mad at your perfectly supportive—and, let’s not forget, extremely pretty—boyfriend and decided he needed to leavemyhouse. But you’re about to meetsomeone who we know for a fact is the total villain in this story.”
“I hate it when you make so much sense,” Sol said as the car approached the Palisades Park overlooking the Pacific Ocean in front of the Santa Monica Pier and as she recognized the person she was meeting. “Can you drop me off here, he’s already waiting. I’ll call you once I’m done, okay?”
“Okay. Don’t forget to share your Uber ride link with me. And call me and tell me what happened!”
“Of course,” Sol said, and she kissed her friend on the cheeks before getting out of the car.
As she saw Lola’s car merging into traffic and getting farther away, her heart shrank. She felt a deep apprehension for what was coming ahead. She still knew she needed to do it.
She eyed the man she was meeting a few meters ahead. He was dressed in a tailored navy suit, and his dark-blond locks were perfectly styled. For the first time in almost four years, she surprised herself by having one thought: He was so good-looking. No wonder she’d married him.
“Ah you came. I thought you would stand me up,” the man told Sol in a reproachful tone, and it was as if she was hit by a cascade of ice water. And that was it. She no longer saw any kind of attractiveness or felt any appeal. No wonder she’d divorced him.
“Nice to see you too, David,” she answered, a smile plastered on her face.
“Is it really? Nice, I mean? I thought you hated my guts.”
Sol had already been dreading the meeting even before getting there, but she now felt vindicated in her reluctance. It was going to be hell.
“You see, that was part of the problem. You’re incapableof even trying to appear mildly agreeable for the sake of peacefully co-living with someone else,” Sol said.
