Page 64 of Little Dark Deeds

Everett leaned back, stretching his legs.“I don’t know what she saw in him.I thought he was self-absorbed and full of himself, and that wasbeforeI learned he was a lying, cheating dirtbag.”

I’d always found Everett to be a polite, kindhearted person toward most people.

For him to say what he just had spoke volumes.

“Why do you think Tiffany was so enamored with him?”I asked.

“I don’t know, maybe because he doted on her.He did a great job of making her feel seen.I can’t believe I’m saying this, but even after we learned he’d cheated on his wife, as awful as it was, I still didn’t doubt his affection for Tiffany.It seemed real—to me, at least.”

“I heard he begged her to take him back.”

“He did, and hey, she wanted to find a way to get past it, but she knew she’d never be able to trust him again.The cheating wasn’t even what hurt her most.”

“It was the lie itself, wasn’t it?”

Everett nodded.

“When she refused to remain in the relationship, I wonder how desperate he became,” I said.“Desperate enough to kill her rather than accept the fact that they were over?”

“I couldn’t say.You’re a better judge of character than I am.”

“I’d say you’re an excellent judge of character.”

“Is Tyler your main suspect?”

“He’s one of them.”

When we’d first sat down on the bench, I was grateful for the break.Between the time we’d spent standing during our conversation with Queenie and our walk, I thought the bench would offer a nice reprieve.The longer we sat, the more the splinters in the aging planks of wood were poking me in areas I didn’t like being poked.

I adjusted my position.

“I consider Tyler’s wife, Jana, a suspect too,” I said.“Were you there the day she showed up at the law office?”

“Yeah, I was in Tiffany’s office, preparing for a meeting with a client.The next thing I know, the office door blows open, and this woman comes barging in, pointing at Tiffany and accusing her of having an affair with her husband.It was, in a word,surreal, like the kind of thing you hear about but don’t expect to witness yourself.”

“How did Tiffany react?”

“She was stunned at first.She didn’t speak.She just sat there, looking at me.I’ll never forget it, the look on her face.”

I’d seen that look once, right after her mother died.It was like someone had reached a hand inside her soul, shattering it into a million pieces.

“When Tiffany did speak, what did she say?”I asked.

“It was Jana who spoke.She plopped down on a chair, narrowing her eyes at Tiffany like she was confused about her reaction to her accusation.”

“The version of the story Tiffany’s father told me was a little different.”

“Tiffany may have left out of few details, but overall, what happened was true.”

“What happened after Jana plopped down on the chair?”

“She seemed to realize Tiffany didn’t know Tyler was married.She said, ‘Wait, you didn’t know, did you?’”

“What did Tiffany say?”

“She told her she didn’t.I wondered if Jana thought Tiffany was lying at first.But she seemed to accept she was telling the truth, and then her entire demeanor softened.She apologized to Tiffany, saying she had a whole speech planned out, a speech meant for the woman who knew Tyler was married.Once she realized Tiffany didn’t know, they had an uncomfortable but friendly chat.”

“What did they talk about?”