“Why didn’t you come to me?”
“Because you were too wrapped up in your perfect little life,” Danielle said, her tone hardening on those words. “I met him, actually, at the grocery store a while ago and he invited me to his church. I never went there, but when I got depressed, I called him for counseling.”
Nikki hadn’t realized her friend was having so many emotional issues. “So are you better?”
“Well, let’s see. My fiancé just got killed. And then I found out he’s been cheating with a bunch of other women. I don’t know. What do you think?”
“Oh, that was a stupid question, I’m sorry.”
“It’s all right,” Danielle said. “Seriously, I am better. Reverend Chance helped me through a lot. It’s a shame what happened to him, though.”
Nikki nodded. “Yeah, it is,” she said, but still felt Danielle knew more than she was telling.
Chapter 67
“You know, you’re welcome to sleep in the guest room at my house,” Olivia said, as she gathered her purse to leave the office for the evening.
“No,” William said, “I’ll be fine here.”
Olivia shook her head. “I really hate for you to have to sleep on that cot. As hard as you work all day, it’s a shame you have to be so uncomfortable at night. I really hate your wife is putting you through this. It’s a shame you have to sleep here, not even on a real bed.”
“Well, I don’t have much of a choice right now,” William said. “I don’t want to barge into my brother’s place and my mother would raise too much of an I told you so fuss if I crashed at her place.”
“Well, just know that you always have a bed at my place,” Olivia said.
“Thanks.”
“Well, have a good night,” she said. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
It had been more than a week since William left home. He had called twice to talk with Psalm and stopped by her school once, but he had not spoken with his wife.
And now, after another night away from home—and sleeping on that uncomfortable cot—William was getting updates about his wife from the newspaper, of all things. He finished reading the news story, and then read the title of the article again.
CHARGES DROPPED AGAINST MAYORAL CANDIDATE FOLLOWING WIFE’S CONFESSION.
He wondered if he should call to thank Nikki for talking with the district attorney’s office. But he did not. William was still angry with her for what happened before, but he felt tenderness at her gesture. I should have known she’d try to fix this herself, even at personal risk. He picked up the phone and dialed his attorney. “Did you see the story in today’s paper?”
“Yes. Congratulations!” his attorney said.
“Yeah, thanks,” William replied, “but what I’m calling about is this: I don’t want my wife to have a hard time. See what you can find out at the DA’s office about this case.”
Olivia materialized at his desk as he hung up. “Hey, great news on the charges being dropped!”
William’s voice held no jubilation and his eyes no light. “Yeah, that’s great.”
“Hey, why the sour mood?”
“Well, I’m just worried about Nikki.”
Olivia’s frown was instantaneous, but just as quickly, she smoothed her brow. “Well, she did bring it on herself.”
William opened his mouth to protest, but closed it. Maybe he wasn’t the one to try to fight his wife’s battles anymore.
Maybe this separation was for the best.
Chapter 68
Nikki looked around cautiously and slipped into the booth at the back of the restaurant, a baseball cap pulled down low on her head. Large sunglasses covered half her face.
“I didn’t expect to hear from you,” Spencer said coolly.
“Yeah, well, I didn’t expect to have to call you.” She had scheduled this meeting with Spencer at this out-of-the-way restaurant after calling him the other day. The waitress approached but Nikki waved her off.
“Hey, hold up,” Spencer said to Nikki, then to the waitress, said “She’ll have a sweet tea with two lemons.”
Nikki’s brow raised but she said nothing. Spencer smirked. “That is still how you like it, right?”
Nikki ignored him, but nodded to the waitress, who scurried off.
“So, to what do I owe the pleasure?” Spencer smiled. “I guess you’ve realized you made the wrong choice, huh?”
He was still so smug.
“Whatever, Spence. This has nothing to do with my husband. This is about you.”
“Well, seems that your husband has been in a lot of hot water lately.” Spencer leaned in. “Makes one wonder just what is going on with him. See, if you had stayed with me, you wouldn’t be getting dragged through the mud like this.”
“Well, if I had stayed with you, there is a lot I wouldn’t be doing right now,” Nikki snapped. “Namely, living. I’d probably be dead.”
Spencer grimaced. “Now, Nikki. Don’t be so harsh. We were young and dumb. That was a lifetime ago. A past that’s tucked away.”
“Yes, which is why I thought you’d be the last person to double-cross me.”
“What are you talking about?” Spencer frowned. “How could I have possibly double-crossed you? Remember, you’ve not even spoken to me in years.”
“So, you’re going to try to sit here and tell me you didn’t rat me out to the newspaper about that credit card bit?”
Spencer’s eyebrows drew together. “Is that what this is about?” He lowered his voice. “Don’t you think I would think twice about doing something that dumb? No, I had nothing to do with that. Besides, I had no idea you were involved in that thing until it hit the news. How could I have known that?”
Nikki studied him for a beat. Spencer had done a lot of lying to her and had taken her through a lot, but she knew he was telling the truth. “So, your wife didn’t tell you she saw me at the hospital back in the summer?”
“My wife? No.”
Nikki abruptly stood. “Well, thanks for answering my questions. I’ve got to run.”
“You’re not going to stay for lunch?”
“No, I’m picky about who I keep company with.”
Chapter 69
Danielle chose not to attend Troy’s funeral that weekend, but Nikki still knew her friend’s mind would be on the service. She dropped Psalm off at Keedra’s and took a bag of groceries to Danielle’s.
“I thought I’d fix us something to eat and we could hang out and watch movies or something,” Nikki said.
“I’m not really in the mood.”
“Well, that’s okay,” Nikki said. “I know you’re probably preoccupied. You can go lie down if you want and I’ll just be in the kitchen. I just wanted to be with you today. Because . . . well, just because of everything.”
Danielle peeked into the bag. “Did you bring any ice cream?”
“No, you want ice cream?”
“Yeah, I’d love pralines and cream,” Danielle said, taking a bite of a slice of pizza she pulled from a plate in the refrigerator.
“Okay. Well, I’ll just run back to the store.”
Danielle smiled. “Thanks. Get some potato chips too.”
Nikki had thought the food she brought would be enough, but she didn’t want to upset Danielle anymore than she already was. So she grabbed her keys and left to get ice cream and potato chips for her friend. Her mind raced as she drove to the grocery store. So much was going on that it was hard to keep it all straight. She was really worried about Danielle, especially because her friend didn’t talk much about what was truly bothering her. Losing Troy had to have been a tough blow.
That thought reminded Nikki about losing her own man—maybe not to death, but it hurt just as much. And that thought prompted another one: If Spencer wasn’t behind the leak to the press about the credit card scam, then who was?
Nikki fixed a lunch of smothered chicken, mashed potatoes and corn on the cob. She also prepared bananas Foster, one of Danielle’s fav
orite desserts. As she washed the dishes following their meal, Nikki could see her friend’s mood seemed to have lifted.
“So, how is work going?” Nikki struck up conversation.
“Girl, don’t even ask,” Danielle replied. “I have this lesbian nurse hot on my tail, and I’m trying to keep her at bay.”
“Is she harassing you? Why don’t you report her?”
“No, it’s nothing like that,” Danielle said. “She’s not harassing me. She just keeps dropping hints that she wants to go out.”
“What, are you giving off gay signals now?” Nikki laughed.
Danielle grinned. “Maybe. I’ll do whatever I have to, to get what I want. And if that means skinning and grinning in some lonely woman’s face, then I will.”
“Danielle, you’ve got to stop playing with people’s emotions.”
“Well, you just have to know what people want. Then you tell them what they want to hear. If I happen to make a comment here and there about how pretty she is and she gets confused and thinks I like her, is that really my fault?”
“Well, just be careful. I’m just glad we’re friends because I know you could be one dangerous sista,” Nikki said.
“You got that right.”
Chapter 70
Danielle lay on the couch, staring at the ceiling while Nikki vacuumed. It was such a shame about Troy. Danielle shook her head. She recalled his visit following that blowup at his place. He had barged into her condo, and after they satisfied their lust, he told her he knew she was the one who had his car towed. He had gone outside ready to drive to work the next morning, only to find an empty parking space. He had cursed at first, sure thugs had stolen his SUV. But a few phone calls to some questionable associates had revealed the car wasn’t stolen, but was at a scrap metal lot. He paid big bucks to recover it.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Danielle had feigned innocence.
“Right,” he said, “and I’m Santa Claus.”
“I’m serious,” she had insisted, but he shook his head.
“You are one slick woman,” he said, running his hand along her thigh, “but I’ll let that slide, ’cause you know how to hook a brother up.”
She licked her lips and the conversation was forgotten.
And now he was dead, shot to death and burned. Somebody must have been pretty upset with him about something.
Poor Troy.
Chapter 71
The October primary election was just as Olivia and Nikki had predicted. William collected enough votes to keep him in the race for the big election in November. He didn’t even take time to celebrate, because that smaller election felt just like a dress rehearsal—he hoped the general election would produce the win he wanted. Now the contest was between Lo Dark and him.
He had to commend Olivia. In just a short time, she had helped raise his visibility and had given him the edge among the mostly unknown lot running against Dark. Reverend Hick’s church had turned out in huge support, as had the members of several other congregations. Now the campaigning kicked into a higher gear as William closed in on Election Day.
Winston kept William busy with back-to-back appointments. William thought if he had to eat one more rubbery piece of chicken and dry potatoes at some civic club luncheon, he would assault the next person who came bearing the offending meal.
But this was all part of the process. And now that the charges had been dropped and he was the lone challenger to Dark, he was working furiously to get people to forget about their earlier suspicions. Now, as he sat at his desk and read over polling data, he shifted in his chair and rubbed his neck. Pain radiated up and down the right side, into his shoulder. He couldn’t even turn to his right, without feeling as if something were pressing into him. He sighed, and stretched.
Olivia looked up from her work. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” he said. “My neck is just tight after sleeping on that cot again.”
William had been tempted to return home at the prospect of spending yet another night on the narrow cot in the corner of his office. But he pushed the thought from his mind.
“It’s no wonder,” Olivia said. “You’ve been sleeping on this ridiculous cot for what, two weeks now? You’re coming to my house, and I’m not going to take no for an answer.”
He held up his hand and shook his head. “No, it’s okay. I’m fine sleeping out here.”
“No, you’re not. Now, when I leave tonight, you’re coming with me.”
Chapter 72
Nikki was in no hurry to return to the home that seemed so quiet without her husband, but she knew it was time. She gathered the movies and her purse.
“So, are you sure you’re going to be all right?” she asked Danielle.
“Oh, I’m super,” Danielle said.
Nikki hesitated, but knew she had to ask. “Danny, would you mind if I ask you a question?”
Danielle peered at her. “Sure. What?”
“I spoke with Spencer the other day.”
“You talked to Spencer?” Danielle sat up on the couch. “For what?”
“I asked him if he spilled it about the credit card. He said he didn’t.”
“Well, what did you expect him to say?” Danielle snapped.
Nikki shook her head. “I don’t know,” she said. “But I think he’s telling the truth. Which brings me to my question. Are you sure nobody else knew about what we were doing?”
“What, do you think I had something to do with the leak?” Danielle looked hurt.
“No, no,” Nikki quickly backtracked. “I mean—”
Danielle let out a disgusted grunt and lay back down. “I can’t believe you’re questioning me like this,” she said. “There is no way I would have done that to you. I didn’t go and blab to the newspaper. Besides, why would I do that? I’d get in trouble too.”
“I’m really sorry,” Nikki said. “I was out of line to even question you like that.”
“Yeah, you were,” Danielle said. “After all this time, you’re acting like you don’t trust me.”
What Danielle had done all those years ago to make Nikki doubt her trustworthiness was in the past, Nikki reminded herself. “Forget I said anything.” She leaned down to hug her friend. Nikki turned to leave, then stopped. “You know, I’ve been wondering something.”
“Yeah, what?”
“Is anything that Reverend Chance told you back then helping you cope now, with this new tragedy in your life and all? Is that why you’re so relatively calm?”
“Reverend Chance?”
“Yeah, you know, from your counseling sessions.”
“Oh. Yeah. He gave me a lot of really good information. I’m so glad we bumped into each other that day at the mall.”
“At the . . .” but Nikki bit off her words. Instead, she hugged her friend. “If you need anything, just call me.”
Driving home, Nikki’s eyes narrowed. She had suspected Danielle was lying about her acquaintance with Reverend Chance, but now she knew for certain because Danielle must have forgotten she had told Nikki she met the pastor at the grocery store. The second time, she said it was the mall.
And what about the credit card leak? Surely Danielle wouldn’t go to the newspaper about that behind Nikki’s back. But Nikki had to admit, Danielle had betrayed her before. Nikki tried to push from her mind how she felt when she found out Danielle had slept with Nikki’s boyfriend while Nikki was home on semester break visiting her family. They had been young and immature then. They had been through a lot and Nikki had forgiven Danielle.
But nagging doubts remained. Her best friend was lying about something. But what was it? And why was she lying?
Chapter 73
William pulled up to the house. He was surprised at the twinge of disappointment he felt at seeing Nikki wasn’t home. He let himself in and walked to the bedroom. The house was neat. The cream-colored bedspread covered the bed, with pillows crowning the top. He pulled open a drawer and grabbed more clothes.
He shoved the clothes into his bag and zipped it. He slung it over his shoulder and turned to walk to the door when he almost bumped into his wife.
“Oh. Hi,” she said. “I saw the car outside and was wondering what was up.”
“Yeah,” he said, shrugging the bag on his shoulder. “I needed some more clothes.”
The hopeful smile Nikki had disappeared at his words as she spotted the bag on his shoulder. “Oh. You were just getting some more of your things?”
“Yeah,” he said, clearing his throat at the awkward moment. “I needed some more underwear and shirts.”
“So where are you staying?”
William’s eyes shifted just over her head then back to her. He cleared his throat. “Oh, you know, here and there.”
“You’re not still sleeping at the headquarters, are you?” Nikki frowned. “That won’t do your back any good.”
“I’m fine.” He didn’t want to discuss where he was sleeping.
“Well, if you’re not there, I know you must be at your mama’s house.” Nikki tried not to roll her eyes. “I’m sure that’s all she needs. She’s probably badmouthing me every day, telling you to run to get your divorce.”
William let the conversation die, and silence hung between them. Looking at her standing there, looking as pretty as the day they met, he wanted to take her in his arms.
But he didn’t.
They stood for a moment, both wanting to say so many words, but neither knowing exactly what to say.
“Well, don’t let me hold you up,” Nikki said. He knew she thought she was sounding cheery, but the sound was shrill. “I know you were on your way out when I walked in.”
“Oh. Yeah,” William said. “Well, I’ll see you around.”
Chapter 74
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