Page 82 of Betrayed in Blood
“About three days ago.” That got everyone’s attention since Mom had answered my call but not theirs. At the same time, I didn’t see a reason to play games and gave them most of how it went down. “You know how moms worry about their kids. At first, she seemed okay, but there were several people at the house. I heard them in the background. Then she made some comment about how it would be better if she called the next time and not to worry.” I shrugged. “You know what a rebel I am. I worried.”
All three of them tittered at that, almost seeming relieved I was still the little troublemaker. It somehow put their world back on the correct rotation.
“I have to say we’re worried, too.” Veronica sipped her wine and tapped her light-pink nail against the glass. “But we’re not sure what to do about it. We considered driving over.”
“It’s April,” Agnes spat out. “There’s something wrong with her.” She leaned in, her voice lowering. “I think she might be dangerous, and I know how that must sound, we’re not really sure it’s even her fault.”
Before I could get a word in, Monique broke in. “It’s that boyfriend of hers. We all thought you’d be the one to break Willa.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Sorry, but you were a bit wild. But Willa never said a bad word. She always knew you’d be okay. She said you were the strongest of her daughters and that you’d find your way.”
My heart almost cracked hearing that for a second time in one day.
“Several months ago, Willa said April brought home a new boyfriend.” Veronica refilled the wineglasses as she took up the tale. “He was handsome and had just gotten a high-paying job at one of Christopher’s businesses. He was what Willa called a fast riser in the company. But after a month or so, Willa was worried. April wasn’t acting like herself, and…” Veronica gave the other women a glance, and when they all nodded, she continued, “Willa had been having problems with Christopher. He was keeping long hours, going away on business trips that she didn’t think were business trips.”
“Christopher was cheating on my mother,” I cut in, wanting to get to the chase. “I know. Mom knew and, from my understanding, had an escape plan.”
Veronica sat back, and though she’d been shocked for an instant, a knowing smile lit her face. “You’ve been keeping tabs on her.”
I sighed. “It wasn’t a secret I hated Christopher. And from what I understand, even though the police cleared me as a suspect in his gruesome murder, April still believes I was somehow responsible.”
Agnes snorted. “Christopher had been known to be wheeling and dealing with unscrupulous men and women for months. And what? They thought you waited how many years to show up out of the blue to slice and dice him?” As soon as the last words were out of her mouth, her eyes almost popped out of her head.
The table went deathly silent until I erupted in laughter. It took a second for the rest to join in.
“I know it’s not nice to speak ill of the dead.” I gave the women a conspiratorial wink. “But let’s face it, the asshole got what was coming to him. But this boyfriend, I assume he was close to Christopher.”
“Like peas in a pod, from what Willa said.” Monique fluffed her hair and checked her fingernails.
“Do you happen to know his name?”
The women glanced at each other, their foreheads scrunched in thought, which was a surprising feat based on how much Botox they were probably pumping into it.
“Henry?” Veronica said.
Monique shook her head. “Peter.”
Agnes rolled her eyes, which was what I’d been about to do. “Jasper Hunnicutt.”
We all stared at her.
“How can you possibly remember that?” Veronica asked.
“Richard has a cousin named Jasper. He’s a crazy old drunk but a kick at parties. And our neighbors at Martha’s Vineyards are the Hunnicutts. At first, I thought there might be a connection, you know, since Christopher and Willa have come to the island with us several times. But I don’t think that was the case this time.”
Monique shook her head and glanced at me. “Agnes always plays a memory game with names. You know, trying to remember by associating something with them.” She tittered. “I obviously need to try the same thing.”
I glanced at the watch Ginger made me wear at the last minute. Devon had given it to me one of the first days I’d been at the manor, but I’ve never worn it because I don’t wear watches. I touched the small diamonds around the face. He must have paid a fortune for it, and it didn’t escape my notice that the others took note, their eyes growing wide.
“You can afford that?” Veronica leaned over. “That’s a limited-edition Rolex.”
I grinned. “If it makes you feel any better, I didn’t steal it.” I flipped my hair back and almost cringed at the automatic response. Then decided to go with it and leaned in. “My boyfriend bought it for me the first week we were together.”
I made my excuses, knowing they were dying to start the gossip once I was gone, but left them with one promise.
“I don’t know what’s going on with my mom, April, and whoever this Jasper Hunnicutt is, but I can assure you I’ll get to the bottom of this.”
“And you think there’s something you can do?” Veronica sounded doubtful.
“Not me alone, no. But my boyfriend will see it done, and he’s never gone back on his promises.” I stood. “I can’t say it will be next week or even a month from now, but soon, there will be four place settings at your weekly lunch again.”
