Page 88 of Little Bitter Truths
“About all of it.”
He gestured toward the top of the street.“I moved into town hoping for a quiet life, and instead I end up living across from someone who treats me like my mere existence offends her.”
“She’s going through a lot right now.”
“I get it, but what happened between us startedbeforethe death of her sister, not after.”
He had a point.
“Where were you on the night Wren died?”I asked.
“There it is, at last.”
“What?”
“The moment you admit you’re over here talking to me because you consider me a suspect.”
“Will you answer the question?”
“No,” he huffed.“I won’t.I’ve already talked to the police.Ask them.”
“I could, but I’m here, now.Why not just tell me?”
“If I do, will you leave?”
I nodded.
“I was here, at home,” he said.
“Alone?”
“Yes.”
“Can anyone verify that?”
“No.”
“Did you hear anything or see anything?”
“I answered your question.Shouldn’t you be going?”
“I agreed to leave, but I never said when,” I said with a wink.
I expected him to walk away at that point, to go inside the house and slam the door.Instead, he ran a hand across his lips like he was stifling a laugh.
“Are you married?”he asked.
“I am.Why?”
“I’m trying to picture the type of man who would be married to you.No offense.”
“None taken.To answer your question, the smart type.”
This time, he couldn’t suppress his laughter, and neither could I.
“You’re something else,” he said.
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
