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CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Margot

“That was the most frustrating movie ever. I still don’t understand why he didn’t just tell her what he saw,” April mutters as we step out of the movie theater and into the cool night air. “She would’ve helped him kill that guy to save her family.”

“I think that was the point,” I murmur, pulling my coat tighter around me.

I should’ve brought gloves. My fingers are freezing.

“Sometimes we worry too much about not making others uncomfortable at the expense of our own safety. And, let’s face it, he was weak.

Too worried about being polite. Too busy following ‘the rules’ and waiting for someone to come save them. ”

April snorts. “Couldn’t be me. I would’ve run that dude over with my car and gotten those kids the hell away from there.”

“Same.” I smile at her, the ache in my chest easing just a little.

Today’s funeral was short and simple, and when April texted to meet for dinner and a movie, I didn’t hesitate.

I needed the distraction. Her company and cheerful chatter.

Needed someone who wouldn’t ask if I was okay, because I’m not sure how I’d answer right now.

“Want to grab some coffee?” April yawns. “I have a long drive home.”

“We could’ve picked a place closer to you.”

“Nah, I love that theater. Totally worth it.”

“You can stay at my place tonight, if you want,” I offer.

She hesitates, as if she doesn’t want to hurt my feelings by saying no. “It’s okay. I just need caffeine to keep me awake.”

“Fair enough.” I push open the door to the café and nod for her to go first. “I’m buying.”

“Deal.”

Inside, the place is busier than I expected this late. Probably other moviegoers needing a warm drink before heading home. Most of the tables are covered with chairs that have been flipped up for cleaning, so April and I slide onto two stools at the long counter instead.

I order hot chocolate, she gets a coffee. The cranky server drops them off quicker than expected, clinking the mugs against the wooden countertop with a hard thunk and a grunt.

As I wrap my hands around the warm ceramic, ready for my first sip, something flickers on the TV mounted above the counter.

Daniel Muldoon—Local Financial Planner Arrested in Suspected Serial Murder Case.

The headline screams across the television beneath a picture of his smug, all-too-familiar face.

My blood turns to ice.

The mug stays hovering near my lips, untouched. The room goes quiet in my head, the news anchor’s voice distant and warped, like I’m underwater. The string of suspicious deaths. The elderly women whose bank accounts were wiped clean.

They did it. They actually arrested Daniel.

That means they must have significant evidence against him, right?

April shifts beside me. “Margot?” she asks, her voice low, cautious.

I can’t tear my gaze away from the screen.

A sick part of me wants to revel in his downfall. But three—maybe more—women paid the price for Daniel’s destruction. I can’t take any satisfaction from that.

“Isn’t that…?” April gasps. “That’s Daniel, isn’t it?”

I nod once, still staring at the screen. “The police came to talk to me a few weeks ago. They questioned me about his grandmother’s death?—”

“Oh my God. Are you serious?”

“Yup, and a few other women. Friends of his grandmother’s, I think.”

I glance over and take in her shocked expression.

My face twists with disgust. “He held his grandmother’s funeral at our place—and referred the other two to us as well,” I add in a lower voice.

“You’re kidding. Why?”

“I don’t know.”

“No, why do they think he killed them?”

“For their money?” I shrug, but shame creeps over me, sticky and all too familiar. That I was engaged to Daniel feels like a mistake I’ll never stop paying for. “I knew he was cruel. Mean. But murder?” I shake my head. “Stealing from elderly women? I never imagined…”

“I had no idea.” She reaches out, resting her hand over mine.

“I’m so sorry, Margot. This is awful.” She frowns like she’s screwing up the courage to say something else.

“And I know it’s probably pointless to say this now, but.

..I never liked him. Didn’t like the way he talked to you. Or about you.”

Great, did Daniel say awful things to my friends about me too?

“I couldn’t tell you,” she continues, “and risk having you mad at me. It was a feeling more than anything concrete, you know?”

“Sure. He fooled a lot of people.” I gesture toward the screen. “Obviously.”

Silence settles between us, broken only by the clatter of a dish behind the counter and the quiet chatter of the other patrons.

“Margot.” April squeezes my hand. “I’m so glad you didn’t marry him.”

I nod, staring into my cup and let out a humorless snort. “Me too.”

She doesn’t say anything else about Daniel. What else can be said?

We sip in silence, the noise of the café swirling around us.

After a moment, she sets her cup down. “You don’t think they’ll drag your dad or the funeral home into it, do you?”

“God, I hope not. That’s all we need.” I rub my thumb against the side of my mug, chasing the heat. “I probably shouldn’t have told those detectives so much about my relationship with Daniel. They interviewed my dad and me, but I don’t think we gave them anything helpful.”

“How awful.” She finishes her coffee and sets the cup on the counter with a clunk that sounds like the end of the conversation. “Forget that monster. Tell me more about that hot biker who kept eyefucking you at the Hall funeral.”

“April!” I choke on a laugh and glance around the café, cheeks warming. A couple near the door seems lost in their own conversation, thankfully.

Still a bit miffed at Jigsaw’s disappearing act, my smile fades quickly. I’m not in the mood to sing his praises to my friend tonight. I glance up at the television. The news has moved on to the weather—colorful maps and a scrolling alert.

“It’s still new,” I say. “But he’s pretty great.” When he actually communicates with me. “The complete opposite of Daniel in every single way.”

“Good. You deserve that.” She beams at me. “You’ll have to properly introduce me next time.”

If he sticks around. My phone’s in my purse, heavy with silence. Not another text or call since this morning. I don’t even know if he ended up meeting with his brother or not. I want to call and tell him about Daniel’s arrest, but I don’t want to bother him.

“Do you want to get out of here?” April asks.

“Sure.” I push my cup aside. “Let’s go.”

We step out into the night. The cool breeze nips at my cheeks. Or maybe that’s heat flaring over my face. Every time we pass someone on the sidewalk, I feel like I have a neon sign over my head, announcing that I was once engaged to a murderer.

“You okay?” April asks.

I shake my head. “Ugh, it’s just weird. Daniel.” I wave toward the coffee shop. “I saw him not that long ago at the funeral for one of the women they think…he…”

“Killed?” she whispers.

“Yes. He was such an asshole. Talked about wanting to get back together. Get married because he’s ‘ready to settle down’ now. Ugh, still as condescending as ever. But I never suspected?—”

“Why would you? Besides, he probably wanted to get married because it would make him look innocent or something.” She frowns. “You’re the one who dumped him. How dare he act like he wanted to take you back!”

“I know, right?” We share a dark laugh.

She hugs me one more time before heading to her car.

“Text me when you get home?” I call after her.

“I will.”

Wrapped in the warmth of my car, my teeth still chatter from the cold. I rub my hand over the dash, grateful for the thin stream of heat. I love this car—but it’s not always practical for upstate winters.

I fish my phone out of my purse, thumb hovering over the screen. Whoops, I’ve had it on silent all night.

A flood of notifications blinks at me.

Dad: They arrested Daniel.

I tap out a quick reply. April and I saw the news report at Busy Beans.

Paul sent me a similar text and I send him the same reply.

It’s late but they’re probably both still awake.

Jigsaw: Things good with Cain.

Relief and happiness twist so tight, I forget to breathe for a second.

More messages follow in quick succession.

Jigsaw: Took him to see apartment. Likes it.

Jigsaw: Taking him shopping for some stuff.

Jigsaw: Can I stop by later?

Jigsaw: You okay?

Jigsaw: Margot? I’m worried about you.

A sad smile tugs at my lips.

Now you know how I feel when you disappear without a word.

I don’t have the energy to be petty by making him wait and worry any longer. Not tonight. Not with him.

Me: I’m okay. Went to movies with April. Forgot my phone was on silent.

He responds right away.

Jigsaw: Worried about you.

It’s only getting later, and I just want to go home. I start the car and pull out of the small parking lot. My headlights sweep over shuttered shops and quiet sidewalks. I take it slow through the narrow streets.

I need to look up Daniel’s story online when I get home.

Did he make bail?

What else do they have on him?

Will this hurt the business? Ouch, that’s selfish. But I can’t help it. Any suggestion that my father was involved or knew what Daniel was up to could ruin our reputation.

By the time I pull into the parking lot behind our home, I’m eager to get inside and jump on my laptop. The garage door rolls up and the overhead light fills the space with a bright, warm glow but it doesn’t do a thing to chase away the dark thoughts that followed me home.

I hit the button to lower the garage door, the motor humming behind me as I cross the lot. My heels tap out a steady rhythm on the pavement, sharp and out of place in the quiet.

A figure shifts near the porch, slipping from shadow into the harsh yellow light as the motion sensor clicks on. Floodlights flare to life, catching the edges of a leather jacket, the outline of a familiar body.

Jigsaw.

“What’re you doing here?” I hurry to meet him.