by Force, Marie
“It hasn’t happened yet.”
“I’m getting old.”
“You are not.”
“Yes, I am. I’m going to be thirty-six. I never wanted to be sixty and sending kids off to college, but that’s where I’m at if I have kids now.”
“Sixty is the new forty.”
“Maybe so, but I’d like to be able to retire at some point, and college is expensive. Even with a scholarship, I had to take loans to live. I just finished paying them off two years ago.”
“Congratulations. That’s a huge accomplishment. At this rate, I’ll never pay off mine, especially when I have to deal with lawsuits.”
“That lawsuit doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of going anywhere.”
She appreciated his certainty. “I still have to pay to defend and countersue, and I’m paying for the divorce, too, for all the good that’s done me. My cousin’s husband has done what he can, but I’m still married almost a year after I filed.”
“I know it doesn’t seem like it now, but someday after it’s all resolved, it’ll be nothing but a distant bad memory. It won’t always loom as large as it does right now.”
“I hope you’re right, but something tells me that he plans to make my life as miserable as he can for as long as he can.”
“You ought to let Gray look at the divorce situation, too. He’s good at what he does. He might be able to get both those things resolved for you.”
“I’ll ask him about the divorce. It’s all ridiculous.”
“It’s beyond ridiculous, but try not to worry. You’ve got the truth on your side.”
“For all the good that’s done me.”
“I have to believe that still matters, Bri. You can prove he stole and lied and gaslighted you. That’s going to mean something in the end. I know it will.”
“Thanks. It helps to hear that. You know more about what Rem did than anyone else in my life, even my cousin, who knows most of it. I was so embarrassed by it all that I only told people enough so they’d understand why I wasn’t with him anymore.”
“I’m glad you told me, and I’m here any time you need to talk about it.”
“I’m sick of talking about it. How can you not be sick of listening?”
“I like talking to you. I don’t care what we’re talking about.”
“Even my psycho ex?”
“Even him. I have one, too, don’t forget.”
“I haven’t forgotten, and I need to ask you how you feel about asking Gray to find her and start divorce proceedings.”
“I don’t feel anything about it. I feel nothing for her, except a sudden, burning desire to be free of her.”
“Any particular reason?”
“There’s this other woman.”
“Anyone I know?”
“Nah, you haven’t met her.”
She gave him a playful shove that had him laughing as the truck swerved and nearly connected with the moose standing in the middle of the road.
Noah slammed on the brakes, and the truck fishtailed wildly but came to a stop three feet from where Fred stood, staring at them like they were the problem.
“Holy. Shit.”
“Brianna, meet Fred, the Butler town moose.”
“Stop it right now. That is Fred, the town moose?”
“That’s him, in the flesh.”
“He’s massive.” She turned to look behind them. “Back up before he comes at us.”
“He won’t. Fred’s a pussycat.”
He was out of his mind. “What? Seriously, Noah, let’s get out of here.”
But instead of getting out of there, Noah lowered the window and stuck his head out. “Hey, Fred. How’s it hanging?”
“Moo.”
Brianna nearly levitated out of the car at the loudest moo in recorded history. “Noah…”
“You’re freaking out my friend, Freddie boy. She’s new around here and isn’t used to friends like you.”
“This is the craziest place I’ve ever been. Are you talking to a moose?”
“I’m talking to Fred. I’ve known him most of my life. We go way back.”
“I can’t with this. I just cannot.”
Laughing, Noah said to Fred, “Can you maybe move your ass so we can go by before my friend has a stroke?”
“I think I might’ve already had one.”
Fred let out another loud moo that made Brianna startle before he strode off into the woods to continue on his way.
“So that was Fred.”
“I can’t talk. I’m still hyperventilating.”
“You could come face-to-face with him in town, and he’d never hurt you. He’s super gentle. My cousin Hannah is raising a baby moose named Dexter at her house. Fred comes by for playdates with him every day. I can take you to meet Dex if you’d like.”
“Is this place for real? Your cousin is raising a baby moose. At her house.”
“Yep, and she even convinced her husband, Nolan, to let him into the house. We’re not sure how she pulled that off, but Dex has a bed by the fire now.”
“When I go back to Boston and tell people about what goes on up here, they aren’t going to believe me. They’re going to say I’m making up the fact that my friend Noah’s cousin has a baby moose sleeping in her house.”
“Hannah is a moose whisperer.”
“Come on.”
“No, really. You should see the way she gets Fred to do whatever she tells him to. It’s kind of amazing. The best part, though, is watching Nolan have a complete meltdown about his pregnant wife talking to a full-grown bull moose like he’s the next-door neighbor.”
“It’s comforting to hear that someone in this town has a lick of sense.”
“Aw, come on, don’t tell me this place isn’t growing on you.”
“What’s not to like? No cell service, gigantic moose roaming the streets, baby moose sleeping inside houses, cold that makes your lungs ache from breathing, cars that fall off mountain roads. Have I forgotten anything?”
Grinning at her litany, he said, “Breathtaking scenery, interesting people who make sure you’re never bored, so much snow that you have no choice but to snuggle by the fire for months on end. It doesn’t all suck.”
“I hope you don’t think I’m saying that it does. Vermont is beautiful, even with the gigantic moose that stands in the middle of the road.”
“That moose led my cousin to his wife.”
“I can’t believe she stayed in town after hitting the moose. I would’ve run for the hills.”
“Well, she couldn’t really because she stepped out of the car into shin-deep mud. Did I mention Vermont has a mud season?”
“It just gets more charming by the minute.”
“I know, right? But our incredible foliage season makes up for the mud.”
“I’ll have to take your word on that.”
“You should stick around up here so you get the full picture before you make any final judgments. You’ve only seen the worst part, although some of us think winter is the best season because of the skiing and other winter sports.”
“You would think that because you’re all certifiable up here. I think the cold has gotten to you and pickled your brains or something. You think talking to a moose is normal.”
“It is normal.”
“It’s not.”
“Is.”
“Isn’t.” She had more fun with him than she’d had with any man—ever. Even the one she’d married and thought she’d love forever.
Noah turned onto her street so she could change before their hike and slowed the truck when he saw a Vermont State Police SUV parked outside her house. “What the hell?”
Brianna’s stomach dropped. She wanted to tell Noah to keep driving so she wouldn’t have to deal with whatever fresh hell had come to find her.
He pulled into the driveway, turned off the truck and looked over at her. “Whatever this is, I’m here, and it’s going to be fine.”
Brianna
had begun to believe that nothing would ever be “fine” again for her. She had to force herself to get out of the truck to meet Noah and the state police officer in the driveway.
“I’m Officer Brinkman with the Vermont State Police. Are you Brianna Denning?”
“That was my married name. I’ve gone back to Esposito since my marriage ended. What’s this about?”
“I didn’t realize you were no longer married. You are listed as next of kin for Remington Denning.”
“We’re not technically divorced yet, but we haven’t been together in more than a year. I’m not sure why I’m his next of kin.”
“What do you need with her, Officer?”
“And you are?”
“Noah Coleman. A friend.”
“I’m sorry to have to tell you that your ex-husband has been murdered.”
The words landed like a roar in her ears as her knees gave way. Only Noah’s arm around her waist kept her from falling.
Rem was dead.
Chapter Twenty-One
“I wish I were a little girl again because skinned
knees are easier to fix than a broken heart.”
—Julia Roberts
After the nightmare Rem had put her through, Brianna shouldn’t have cared that he was dead. Hell, she ought to be relieved and happy that he was out of her life forever. But the part of her that’d once loved him with all her heart refused to be ignored. “Wh-what happened?”
“He was found in the Boston Public Garden. He’d been stabbed multiple times.”
Noah squeezed her shoulder, letting her know he was there.
Brianna leaned into him as she processed what the officer was telling her. She refused to cry over the man who’d put her through hell. She would not cry. “Ha-have his parents been told?”
“Yes, ma’am. They told us where we could find you. They asked that you call them when you’re able to.”
Brianna processed that information along with the fact that Rem was dead. Someone had murdered him. She knew she ought to be surprised, but she wasn’t. Not like she should’ve been. When you treated people the way he’d treated her—and no doubt others—eventually, it caught up to you.
“The Mass State Police are interested in speaking with you. They’ve asked us to transport you to the Massachusetts state line, where they’ll meet you.”
“Why do they want to speak with me? I haven’t seen or talked to him in more than a year.”
“I’m not privy to the why, ma’am. I only have the request to transport you.”
“Is she a suspect?” Noah asked.
“I’m sorry that I don’t have that information.”
“We’d like to know more about what they want with her before she goes anywhere,” Noah said. “And her attorney will want to be there.”
Thank God he had his wits about him, because her brain wasn’t functioning after hearing the news that Rem was dead. That he’d been murdered.
“Let me call them,” the officer said.
“We’re going inside to wait for her attorney to get here. She’d be happy to talk to them from here with her attorney present.”
“Are you a lawyer?” the officer asked.
“No, but my brother is, and I know just enough about how these things work to know that she’s not going anywhere with you or talking to the police until he’s here. We’ll be inside.” He put his hand around her arm and directed her toward the back door. “Come on, Bri. Let’s go in and call Gray.” Outside the door, he said, “Keys?”
She handed him her keys. “What is happening, Noah?”
“I don’t know, but we’re going to figure it out. Don’t worry.”
Don’t worry. Right. Hysteria bubbled up inside Brianna, threatening to spill out at any second. When they were inside, Noah went straight to the phone on the counter and called his brother. She could hear him saying words, but none of them registered with her. She was thankful for his ability to function while she was too shocked to do anything more than sit on the sofa and try not to be sick.
The minute she’d learned the full extent of Rem’s deception, the love she’d once felt for him had died a quick but painful death. Love had turned to hatred in three surreal days in which all the hopes and dreams she’d had tied up in him had disappeared in a haze of grief and disbelief that she’d only recently started to emerge from.
But hearing he was dead, that he’d been murdered…
She was going to be sick. Bolting for the bathroom, she made it just in time to lean over the toilet and throw up as she broke down into sobs that shook her entire body.
Noah suddenly materialized to hold back her hair. “It’s okay, sweetheart. You’re okay.”
No. Brianna shook her head. She’d never be okay again if she felt actual heartbreak at hearing the man who’d ruined her life was dead. What the hell was wrong with her that he could still do this to her?
“Yes.” After wiping her face with a towel, Noah sat with her on the bathroom floor, keeping his arms around her as she cried it out. “You’re going to be just fine. I promise.”
Brianna had no idea how long they were there before she heard Grayson come in and call for them.
Noah kissed the top of her head and got up. “Come out when you’re ready.”
“Noah…”
“I’m here, Brianna, and I’m not going anywhere.”
He’d never know what his steady presence meant to her at that moment. “Thank you.”
* * *
Noah left the bathroom and went to meet Gray, rattled by her reaction to the news of her ex-husband’s death. He hated to see her so upset.
“Thanks for coming,” he said to Grayson.
“No problem. Is she okay?”
“Not at all, and we have no clue what the Mass State Police want with her.”
“Let’s find out, shall we?” Grayson went to the door and signaled for the state trooper to come in. “I’m Grayson Coleman.”
The officer shook hands with Gray. “Officer Brinkman. I’ve spoken with Mass State Police, and they’re willing to talk to her on the phone but reserve the right to request that she come in for a formal interview.”
“They’re going to need to give us grounds for that.”
“They’re aware of that.”
“Let me see if she’s up for talking.” Noah returned to the bathroom to find Brianna right where he’d left her. Her new hiking boots reminded him how quickly their plans had gone to shit. “Gray is here. Are you up for talking to the police, sweetheart?”
“I don’t get what they want with me. I don’t know anything.”
“You just need to tell them that.” He helped her up and kept his hands on her hips while she brushed her teeth and hair.
“Sorry to be such a mess.”
“Don’t be. It’s a shock to hear that kind of news.”
“I don’t get why I’m so upset. After everything he did…”
“At one time, you loved him. That’s why you’re upset. Despite what he did, you still care.”
“I don’t, though. I don’t care about him.”
“Not like you once did, but anyone would be upset after hearing about the murder of someone they once loved.”
“It’s all very confusing.”
“I know, honey, but let’s talk to the cops and get rid of them. We can talk about all of it when they’re gone.”
“Okay.”
Noah took her by the hand and led her to the living room.
Gray and the officer were seated in chairs, leaving the sofa for them.
“I’ve got Detective Mercer with the Mass State Police on the phone,” Brinkman said. “He’s working with Boston Police on this case. Detective Mercer, Brianna Esposito is here along with her attorney, Grayson Coleman, and his brother Noah, who’s a friend of hers.”
“Grayson Coleman. Why do I know that name?”
“Our paths crossed a few times when I worked in Boston.”
“Ah, right. Well, th
anks for getting on a call with us. Ms. Esposito, I’m sorry for your loss.”
“It’s not my loss. I split with him more than a year ago.”
“When was the last time you saw or talked to him?”
“Last Christmas Eve, when I confronted him about being involved with multiple other women and how he’d stolen from our joint bank account. Since then, I’ve only spoken to him through lawyers.”
“And seen him?”
“Also that day. Not since then.”
“Not even in court?”
“We haven’t been to court because he refuses to engage in the divorce proceeding.” Brianna caught herself when she remembered he was dead. “I guess I should say he refused. Past tense.” She was no longer married, and under any other circumstances, that would be cause for celebration. But under these circumstances, she didn’t feel much like celebrating.
“I’m going to be honest with you, Ms. Esposito. Your ex-husband told several people that if anything happened to him, they needed to tell the police to speak to you.”
After everything she’d learned about the man she’d married, Brianna knew she shouldn’t be shocked to hear such a thing. But she was shocked speechless. It took a full minute for her to recover her senses enough to realize they expected her to reply.
“Ms. Esposito? Do you know why he might’ve said that?”
“Because he wanted to hurt me,” she said softly.
“Are you aware that Mr. Denning had antisocial personality disorder?” Grayson asked.
“I wasn’t,” the detective said. “He had an actual diagnosis?”
“I can’t say that for certain,” Brianna said, “because I wasn’t privy to his medical or mental health records. But I can tell you that his behavior and actions are indicative of a textbook case. His parents would tell you that. I can put you in touch with the therapist I saw in Boston until recently and give her the authority to tell you anything you want to know about what I endured with him.”
“That would help,” the detective said.
“Let me get my phone so I can give you her number.” Brianna got up and walked into the bedroom, her legs unsteady beneath her. Rem had been murdered, and he’d set her up to take the fall. Would the nightmare ever end? She got the phone off the charger and returned to the living room, scrolling through her contacts until she found the one she needed. “You can tell her I gave you her number, and I’ll text her to let her know she’ll hear from you.”
