Page 23 of Crazy In Love (Secrets of Suburbi 3)

"Did I just hear..."

"That was my dog," I said, cutting her off. "He's so loud." I turned my attention to him. "Aren't you?" I used that high voice that moms used with children. It sounded even grosser than my greeting to Charlotte.

Snuggle Muffins sighed. I plopped him down, hoping he wouldn't run away. Not that I liked him. I just didn't want to have to go back to that animal drive. But he just sat down at my feet.

"Oh. I didn't realize you had a dog."

"He's new to the family. My husband and I picked him out a few weeks ago. We both love him dearly." Vom.

For a second Charlotte and I just stared at each other. It was like she was waiting for me to tell her what was going on. But I wasn't about to tell her that I'd kidnapped my husband. Charlotte and I weren't close like that. Her fault, not mine. I smiled.

"I made you a lasagna," Charlotte said and handed me the casserole dish.

"Thanks." I'm pretty sure it came out more as a question. I took the dish from her and stood there awkwardly. Now was the time when I was supposed to invite her in and let her uncover all my secrets. But that was not happening. The last thing I needed was for her to wander into the basement and see my husband tied to a chair. I placed the casserole dish down on the front step instead, which drew her a little farther away from my house.

"What's up, girl?" I asked. Girl? It was time to stop trying to be one of them. Clearly I didn't belong. She was only here because...why? Why the hell was she here?

"I came over to see what was going on. I saw that handsome detective over here late last night. Damien Torres." She fanned herself with her hand. "And then again on my walk this morning."

Ah. Right. Of course that's why she was here. I had been expecting the gossip to start. And honestly, I was a little excited to be the center of it. Maybe I'd be on the news soon. "Yeah." I wasn't in the mood to offer her any information.

"So what are you two doing together?" She raised both her eyebrows up and down. Suggesting...

God no. Why was her first thought that I was sleeping with Detective Torres? Yes, he was good looking, but I was a little busy kidnapping. Planning ball removals. Buying litter to pee in. Leaving a credit card trail. I tried to make myself look sad. I needed to squash any rumors about me having an affair. "My husband didn’t come home last night."

Charlotte pressed her lips together. Then put her hand to her chest, right above her fake boobs. "I'm so sorry. I used to know a few people that got divorced. It's an awful thing."

A divorce? Much too simple. Why was that the conclusion she came to? This lady was hella insane. She wanted everyone to be cheating on everyone. Now I was just suspicious of her. Maybe she was sleeping with my husband too. I wouldn't put it past him. "No. He didn't choose not to come home. He's missing." It was very important to my narrative that my neighbors thought my husband still loved me. I didn't want to be the jilted murderous wife. I just wanted to be the murderous wife. Charlotte didn't need to know that Detective Torres thought he'd run away with his mistress. That could be my little secret.

Her eyes grew round. "Missing?"

"Yes." I lowered my voice. "I think he may have been kidnapped." Okay, maybe that was a bit much. Especially since I was the only one that knew that for sure. But I was enjoying her fake sympathy.

"Oh, dear." She reached out and touched my arm to continue whatever charade she was playing.

Snuggle Muffins growled.

Charlotte immediately removed her hand from me as we both stared down at my dog.

He could sense that Charlotte was bad news too. Such a good boy. "Well, I should probably go keep calling family and friends to see if anyone's heard anything." I did that sniffling thing I was mastering.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" she asked.

Did she not take the hint? She was neither family nor friend. "You've already done too much. The lasagna smells divine." Although, I had no idea why she made me something she'd never eat. Maybe she was just trying to fatten me up with carbs. "Actually, you know what? Could you maybe ask around the neighborhood? See if anyone knows something we could tell Detective Torres."

"I'd be happy to."

Of course you would.

"And you're sure you don't need anything else? If you want to talk...I'm here for you. I could come in and..."

"No." I cleared my throat. "I really just need to be alone." I wiped under my eyes even though there weren't any tears.

"I understand. Stay strong. The cops will find him. This neighborhood's already been through enough."

She was referring to Violet Clark and Adeline Bell. And the funny thing was that she had no idea that I idolized them. They had life right. They took justice into their own hands. I was going to be one of them. The three badass suburban housewives that went down in history. I just needed to get my answers first. A confession that my husband was cheating. And access to my money again. Then I'd be on the run too. "Absolutely," I said. "I'll see you later."

Charlotte was waiting for me to go back into my house.

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