Page 42 of Happy Wife

Back in the studio, the anchors haven’t given up on the story. And what happens next actually causes me to faint.

—

When I come to, I’m still on the floor, and Este is running a cold rag on my forehead, saying my name soothingly. She’s a walking contradiction. Equal parts gentle and brash. I have a flash of thinking how grateful I am that she’s here.

“Jesus, you went down fast. I barely caught you before you hit your head.”

“Este, why did they have my picture on the news?”

“Because you’re the wife of a pretty prominent local figure who seems to be in the wind.”

“Oh god. What did they say?” I try to sit up, but my equilibrium is not back yet. I settle with propping myself against the arm of the couch. The room is still sloshing back and forth a little.

“It wasn’t a big deal. They said like two things and moved on.”

“Este, your nose twitches when you’re lying. Give me the remote.”

“Just leave it, Nora. It doesn’t matter.”

I push myself up, fighting off the dizziness, and grab the remote from the table. I rewind the news and watch as a picture of Este and me walking down Park Avenue pops up while the TV-pretty news anchor talks.

“Will’s wife, Nora Somerset, was seen in and around Winter Park the past few days. Frequenting a gym with a friend—”

“I wasn’t frequenting anything, and why are you in the picture?”

“—a coffee shop, and the police station.”

“They’re making it sound like I’m on some kind of press tour around town. They made me come down to see the shirt.” They’re not directly accusing me of taking Will’s disappearance lightly. But with the picture they’re painting, they don’t have to. I look completely self-absorbed, unconcerned with Will’s disappearance. And they save the best one for last: me walking out of Dr. Demi Novaro’s medspa with an ice pack on my forehead.

“And even a spa that’s well known for Botox treatments and fillers.”

“Botox and fillers aren’t exactly newsy in Winter Park.” Esterolls her eyes. “They’re just trying to stay on top of the story. They’ve already reported the search, so what else is there besides his hot, younger wife? It’s just a slow news day.”

“But why would they want to follow me around? It’s creepy and not getting anyone any closer to Will.”

The voice-over from the television continues, “While we’re told she isn’t currently a person of interest, the policehavebeen in contact with her multiple times over the past few days.”

“Multiple times? It’s been twice. Two times. Just two. Goddamnit.” I stand up, steadier from the adrenaline coursing through my veins. “Who the fuck is their source? Constance?” I get up to grab my phone off the kitchen island.

“What are you doing?” Este says, trailing behind me.

“I’m calling Fritz.”

“Why?”

“Do you have a better idea of who could find out why these reporters know about confidential evidence? And why they’re splashing my pictures all over the news? And don’t say Ardell. I’m not calling him.”

This is Constance’s doing.

The certainty is bone deep. I pull up Fritz’s contact in my phone and anxiously pace, waiting for him to answer. But he sends me to voicemail.

What the fuck is with everyone today?

I hang up the phone and stifle the urge to throw it across the room.

Possessed by an out-of-body kind of anger, I head for the door. Maybe it’s instinct or blind rage. Or maybe I’m fueled by the avalanche of fury gathering momentum inside of me. I only know I need answers, and no one has them. I can’t sit here any longer. I can’t wait and see if Fritz and his buddy Travis can figure this out for me.

“Hey,” Este calls.