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Chapter Twenty-Six

My mind pretends that Oliver is on a business trip. It’s unhealthy, I know. But it’s the only way I get through the night—along with a sleeping pill.

After stumbling out of bed, I walk down the stairs and to the kitchen for a cup of coffee to help wake me up. I have an appointment with Dr. Burton in a couple of hours, and I need to get ready.

With my hands wrapped around the warm mug of coffee, I lean against the counter and scan the empty kitchen, waiting for Oliver to walk in and take a mug down from the cabinet like he did every morning. But today, he won’t. He won’t ever step foot in this kitchen again.

I spoke to Detective Paige Walker yesterday. They still haven’t found any clues about who The Widowmaker is, and she’s frustrated. I can tell she’s an excellent detective and trying, but The Widowmaker is more intelligent than all of them. I never told her about Brian. If I had, I’d be the prime suspect—one woman, two husbands, two murders. I’d even believe I did it if I were her.

Dr. Burton meets me at his office door, grabs my hands, and gently squeezes them. “How are you doing, Katherine?”

“I’m taking it one day at a time and trying to survive.”

He leads me over to the couch. I sit, and he perches himself in his usual leather chair.

“She was at his funeral,” I say.

“Who?”

“The woman Oliver was having an affair with.”

“Did she come out and tell you they were having an affair?” he asks.

“No. She didn’t have to. I could see it in her grieving eyes. She grieved as if he were her husband.”

“I assume you’re not back to work yet.”

I shake my head as I fiddle with my hands. “No. I can’t go back there just yet.”

“What have you been doing since the funeral?”

“Not much. Thinking, sleeping, and trying to get through the days. I can’t bring myself to clean out his closet or get rid of any of his things.”

“That will happen when you’re ready. I know I don’t have to tell you that it’s very important for you to get back to a daily routine.”

“I know that. You know I’ve been through this before. But this time, it’s different.”

“How?” His brows furrow.

“I don’t know. Maybe it is because I’m older now, and this is my second husband that was murdered. Dr. Burton, I know this sounds crazy, but I think The Widowmaker has followed and watched me since I left Rockstead. ”

“I think it’s your paranoia making you believe that, Katherine. Who would do that? And why?”

“I have no idea. But Oliver was murdered the same way Brian was—twenty-two stab wounds. That’s not a coincidence.”

“But this person didn’t just target you. He’s also targeting other cheating men.”

“Men who were the husbands of my firm’s clients. It’s someone at my firm who knows about the cases.”

“And you believe this ‘someone’ followed you from Rockstead? You’ve worked at your firm for a few years now. Did you ever notice someone that looked familiar to you?”

“No.” I shake my head. “But?—”

“Katherine,” he interrupts, “I’m going to write you another prescription for something that will calm your nerves. I want you to take it twice a day and start returning to a daily routine.” He rips the paper from his pad and hands it to me. “I’ll see you next week.”

I’m walking out of Dr. Burton’s office when my phone rings. Pulling it from my purse, I notice the call is from Oliver’s attorney, Stanley Ruffalo.

“Hello,” I answer, pushing the door and stepping outside the building.

“Katherine, It’s Stanley. I have Oliver’s will ready. When do you think you’ll be available to meet?”

“I’m not too far from your office. I can come by now.”

“Okay. I’ll be here waiting.”

I step inside the tall glass building and take the elevator to the twenty-first floor.

“It’s good to see you again, Katherine.” Stanley shakes my hand. “Please, have a seat.” He gestures to the dark gray chair across from his desk. He strolls over to his chair, sits down, and opens the large file before him. “Oliver has left you everything—his personal bank accounts, the joint account, his investments, his Bentley, and the brownstone. His will states that upon his death if the brownstone isn’t paid off, it is to be paid off immediately with money in a separate account he funded. I’ve already taken the liberty and paid off the mortgage. The home is free and clear of any debt.”

“I appreciate it, Stanley. Thank you.”

I sign some papers, grab my purse, and leave his office.