Page 65 of Little Dark Deeds

“They discussed what should happen next.Tiffany said she would break it off that evening, and Jana asked if she could speak to Tyler first, to confront him about what he’d done and the fact both women knew about it.”

“She made him dinner that night, his favorite dish, which seems like a strange thing to do,” I said.“I forgot to ask her when I saw her, but after talking to her, I think I know why she did it.She wanted him to know what he’d be missing out on.”

I shifted in my seat again, which didn’t make anything better.

“Are you all right?”Everett asked.

“This bench is uncomfortable.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

“Should we finish our walk?”

He nodded, and we stood.

“I wanted to see you today to ask about the last client you and Tiffany had,” I said.“I hear the husband threatened Tiffany after she won the case, for the wife.”

“The client’s name is Rylie Fairfax, and her husband is Landon Fairfax.I was glad you asked to meet this morning, because I’ve been meaning to talk to you about him.When I described Tyler as a self-absorbed person, times that by ten, and you have Landon.”

“Did he threaten you too?”

“He did not.”

“Why do you think he took all his rage out on her but spared you from it?”

Everett sighed, which was all the answer I needed.

“Tiffany was a woman,” I said.“You’re a man.I’m guessing Landon’s the kind of guy who doesn’t believe women are in the same playing field as men.I bet he even respected you for besting him in court.But Tiffany was different.She outsmarted him, and he couldn’t let it go.Sound about right?”

“Sad to say it does.”

“I heard he threatened to ruin her life.”

“That’s what he said, yes.”

“What was her response?”

“At first, she was going to ignore him, get in her car, and leave.”

“And then?”

He glanced up at the sky, shaking his head.“I ...ahh, feel strange saying it.”

“Whatever it is, you can tell me.”

“She told him it wasn’t wise to threaten her, and then she made a threat of her own.She said she had a powerful friend with powerful connections.If he took any action against her, the life that would be ruined wouldn’t be hers—it would be his.”

I supposed I was a powerful friend, and Giovanni the powerful connection.I couldn’t have been prouder of my friend for standing up for herself the way she had, except for one meddling thought: Had Tiffany’s attempt to stand up for herself backfired, leading to her murder?