Page 98 of Little Dark Deeds

“How did it start, with Jana?”I asked.

“She hasn’t been happy in the marriage in a long time,” Jordan said.“It started out with her confiding in me, and I tried to help her to find ways to work things out.One night, after they got in a big fight, she showed up at my house.She started saying all these things about how different I am than Tyler.The next thing I know, she kisses me, and then we ...well, we took it from there.”

“When did you find out about the prenup?”

“As soon as we started seeing each other on the regular.Tyler’s grandfather was in the hospital at the time, and he wasn’t expected to live much longer.She was going to file for divorce after his death, get her share of the money, and then, after it was all over, we were going to move from here and get a place together.”

“But Tiffany spotted the two of you together.”

“Jana lost her mind when she saw Tiffany,” Jordan said.“I didn’t view it as a bad thing, though.I figured all she’d lose was money that wasn’t hers in the first place.She could still get a divorce, and we could be together.I thought I made enough for the both of us, but she was used to a certain kind of lifestyle, a much more expensive one than I can provide.She told me she loved me and wanted nothing more than to be with me, but I needed to take care of Tiffany, or it was over between us.”

“How did you think you’d get away with it?”Foley asked.

“I would have, if it wasn’t for that stupid lighter.”

“No, you wouldn’t have,” I said.

“Jana thought if we gave you the photos that were left on her car, you’d assume they were left by the killer, and we’d look innocent, given no one knew we were dating.”

“That’s the thing about assumptions.They’re not always right.Earlier you told me you talked to Tyler yesterday.You said he was detached, angry, and on edge.Is any of that even true?”

He was quiet for a time, and then he said, “No, I’m sorry to say it’s not.And as for Jana, I can’t say whether she’s being honest about what happened earlier today.I never thought she had it in her to kill him.I never would have agreed to it.She’s not the woman I thought I knew, and I wish I’d never met her.”

CHAPTER 36

Two Weeks Later

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IT WAS NO SURPRISEto learn the story Jana told me was fabricated.Once Silas analyzed the trajectory of the bullets, her version of events was torn to shreds.Silas believed Jana’s gunshot wound was self-inflicted.She shot herself to make it seem like Tyler had gone there to kill her, and she’d acted in self-defense.I believed she invited Tyler over with every intention of killing him.If she could convince everyone that he was the bad guy and she was the victim, the entire inheritance would be hers.

I was standing at the local cemetery beside Ron Wheeler, admiring the headstone he’d chosen.In the center was a picture of Tiffany.She looked gorgeous, and so full of life.It was still hard to believe she was gone.

Ron held a bouquet of flowers in one hand, and with the other, he took my hand and gave it a squeeze.“Thank you.I know that justice won’t bring her back, but it’s a start.”

“I’d give just about anything to speak to her one last time.”