Page 49 of Little Dark Deeds

“I heard Tiffany was just about to fly off to your wedding on the day she died,” Queenie said.

“You heard right.”

“Shame.She was looking forward to it.”She turned her attention from me to the envelope in my lap.“What have you got there?”

“Photos.”

“Photographic evidence, you mean?”

“I do.”

All three ladies leaned in as if waiting for me to share some juicy details.When I didn’t, their disappointment showed.

“How well did you all know Tiffany?”I asked.

“Martha knew her best,” Queenie said.“Tiffany worked late most days.Martha often made an extra dinner plate for her and would take it to her when she pulled into the driveaway ...on the nights she was alone, of course.”

Turning toward Martha, Queenie said, “Go on, Martha.Tell her about your friendship with Tiffany.”

Martha appeared nervous to be put on the spot, but she took a deep breath and began.“I spoke to her often, and I knew a good deal about her life, like the new beau she was seeing.Well, he wasn’t new, I suppose.They’d been dating several months.”

“Are you talking about Tyler?”

“The very same,” Queenie said.

“Did any of you ever meet or talk with him?”I asked.

“I wouldn’t say he was the talking sort.They took walks together sometimes, and whenever Tiffany would stop to say hello it was as if he was in a rush for the conversation to be over.Odd fellow, if you ask me.Not like the other fellow.”

“Whatotherfellow?”

Queenie pressed a finger to her lips.“There was a man who came around before Tiffany started seeing Tyler.She never introduced him to any of us, but we chatted with him a few times.He was so nice, always smiling and giving us a friendly wave.”

“Did Tiffany ever talk to you about the other guy?”

“She did not, even though we pushed her for details, asking her who he was and if they were dating.”

“What did she say?”

“She described the man as being a friend.He was not just a friend, though.Not a chance.I saw them cuddled up on the couch on multiple occasions.”

“He also spent the night,” Martha added.“I saw him leave one morning when I was out watering my flowers.”

“How long was Tiffany seeing the other guy before she started dating Tyler?”

Queenie turned toward Janice.“You should take this one, Janice.You’re the numbers gal in the group.”

“Let’s see now,” Janice said.“Forty-six days.”

I was shocked at her precision.

“Forty-six days?”I asked.

“Correct.She was first seen with the other man forty-six days before she started seeing Tyler.I saw them together fourteen ...no, fifteen times.”

“During what time period?”

“Two months before Tyler started coming around.”