Chapter Thirty-Two
One month later
“I can’t believe what you’ve been through,” Raven said, pulling Casey into a strong hug. “When I saw your picture while I was scrolling, I about died. Why didn’t you call me?”
Casey sat back down and pushed the plate with her half-eaten sandwich away.
“I couldn’t talk about it. I’m still reeling from the fact that Devin was the strangler all this time.
” She picked up her iced tea and took a sip.
“I didn’t want to distract you from getting the part in that off Broadway play. ”
“If something ever happens like this again, call me.”
Zoe cleared her throat. “Once in a lifetime is too much.” She reached over and squeezed Casey’s hand. “I still can’t believe all you went through.”
“Neither can I,” Raven said, motioning the server over. “To think nerdy, soft-spoken Devin is the town strangler. It boggles my mind.”
“And he killed his mother and sister. A sister no one knew he had,” Zoe added.
“Would you like something?” the waitress asked.
“A Caffè Mocha and an almond biscotti,” Raven replied, tucking the laminated card back into its stand.
“And here we were wondering who it was when it turned out to be one of my friends.” Casey groaned. “It’s still too surreal.”
“Now that I look back at some of the things he said and did, like that book that magically appeared on your desk. I guess he left some clues.” Raven leaned back. “But then Curtis acted odd as well.”
Casey’s eyes snapped to hers, her mouth sagging. “Don’t tell me you suspected your own husband.”
“I won’t, but I bet you did.” Raven smiled. “Come on, ’fess up. You thought Curtis may be the one stalking and killing those women.”
Heat tinged her cheeks. Looking down, she tore the paper straw wrapper into tiny, jagged pieces. “The thought did niggle at the back of my mind at times.”
A throaty laugh escaped from her friend’s mouth. “I wondered about it too.”
“You did?” Casey looked up.
“He spent a lot of time walking the streets at night.” She shrugged. “He’s always liked walking late at night when the town is quiet. He tells me he’s more comfortable in the dark than in the light.”
“That’s kinda creepy,” Zoe said, then quickly looked away.
“Don’t be sorry you said that,” Raven said. “You’re right it’s creepy as hell, but it’s also a load of crap.”
“Here you go,” the server said, placing a steam mug and a china plate in front of Raven. “Anything else I can bring any of you?”
“Nothing. Thanks,” Zoe and Casey mumbled.
Raven waited well after the waitress had scampered away. A faint smile whispered on Casey’s lips, knowing her friend loved dramatic effects.
“Well,” Zoe said. “Why is it a load of crap?”
“Because”—Raven dipped her almond biscotti into her coffee and took a bite—“he was having an affair.”
“An affair? Curtis?” Casey said.
“Yes,” Raven said, her eyes narrowing. “Is it that unbelievable?”
“Actually, yes. I mean, he didn’t seem like the type,” Casey said.
“All men are that type,” she replied.
“Ryan doesn’t seem that way,” Zoe said, dabbing her finger into the crumbs left on her plate. “Does he seem that way to you, Casey?”
“No. He seems to only have eyes for you.”
Raven waved her hand. “You’re in the beginning stage. Everything is wonderful, exciting, and perfect, but check in with me in about eight years.”
Zoe’s eyes widened. “Is that the way it is?” She glanced from Raven to Casey.
“Yes,” Raven said, just as Casey blurted, “No.”
Zoe’s shoulders sagged slightly.
“You can’t lump all men together,” Casey said. “Ryan is a nice guy who adores you. He goes out of his way to spoil you, and he treats you with kindness and respect.”
Zoe giggled. “He does spoil me.”
“What about your ex, Casey? You know men can’t keep their pants zipped,” Raven said.
“Some men are like that and others aren’t,” Casey replied.
“I know I felt the same way you do now when I found out about JT’s cheating.
I was dumb and stayed around, thinking my love would eventually win out, but it didn’t.
I should’ve left sooner, but it’s hard. So I understand what you’re going through. ”
“Going through?” Raven scoffed. “Hell no. I’m done. Finished.”
“You’ve left Curtis?”
“Yes. I’m moving to New York to pursue my acting career.” Raven raised her arms. “I’m totally free and loving it.”
Zoe clapped. “I’m happy for you, Raven.”
“I’m here for you if you have one of those moments when you’re alone,” Casey said.
“I know,” Raven said softly. “You’re a good friend.”
“I bet New York City is exciting,” Zoe said. “I’ve always wanted to go there.”
“You and Casey have to promise me you’ll do a girls’ trip and come see me,” Raven said. “I already rented a studio that’s smaller than a two-car garage, minus one of the cars.”
“That would be fun, wouldn’t it?” Zoe said, glancing at Casey.
“It would,” Casey agreed. “I promise we’ll come see you.”
“I’m holding you to that,” Raven said. “I retained an in-your-face divorce attorney. She said I’ll come out pretty well with the proceeds from the house, the store, and his investments.
Curtis is toast. He can have that frumpy candle-maker for all I care.
He’s been getting on my nerves for quite a while. ”
“Candle-maker?” Casey asked.
“Yeah. The woman has a store two doors down from ours. We bought candles from her wholesale for the shop. If you ask me, they fit each other to the T.”
“You’re handling this so well,” Zoe said. “I’d be a blubbering mess if this was happening to me.”
“Not after eight years of someone not supporting your career,” Raven said, turning to Casey.
“How many times did Curtis come to the theatre to support me? And when he was there on opening night or at the parties, did he try and fit in? No. He’d just sulk in a corner making it uncomfortable for me.
” She glanced at Zoe. “I’m finally thinking of myself, and it’s liberating. ”
The waitress put the separate checks on the table. Zoe reached over, then looked at her phone and gasped. “I didn’t realize it was so late. Ryan’s picking me up in an hour.”
“Me too,” Raven said, gathering her purse. “I’ve got to run.”
“We all need to get moving,” Casey said, standing up.
After they paid at the cashier’s counter, Raven stopped and looked at Casey. “Do you know what’s happening with Devin’s case?” she asked, concern and tenderness lacing her voice.
Casey sighed, the weight of the ordeal settling back onto her shoulders. “I’m not sure, but I’m hoping for a plea bargain. I can’t even imagine rehashing everything at trial, especially since it probably won’t even happen for another year.”
“I hope so too, Casey.” Raven grasped her hand and squeezed it.
“Me too,” Zoe said. “You’ve been through so much already. But you know I’m here for you.”
“Second that,” Raven said.
Casey smiled, her eyes glistening. “I know I can move on from what’s happened because I have the best friends ever.”
Zoe dabbed at the corner of her eyes while Raven cleared her throat and turned away. Casey looped an arm through Zoe’s and another one through Raven’s, and the three women stepped out into the late afternoon light.
Spring had finally arrived, and the brutal, freezing blizzard the month before was nothing but a memory.
A warm breeze washed over them, carrying the honeyed, delicate fragrance of the blooming crabapple trees that lined both sides of the street, their deep pink and white blossoms swaying gently.
The sidewalks were alive with people strolling past in shorts and sleeveless shirts, eating ice cream cones and enjoying the summer-like temperature.
With a final round of tight, lingering hugs, they parted ways. Zoe and Raven turned toward the parking lot, waving over their shoulders as they walked. Casey watched them for a moment, her chest feeling a little lighter under the golden sun, before turning in the opposite direction.
The sweet scent of the crabapples followed her all the way to her car.
For the first time in a long while, the future didn’t feel entirely shadowed by what had happened and the possibility of a trial.
She unlocked her car door, thinking of the new grill and the huge grin on Rags’s face whenever he fired it up.
Starting the engine, she pulled away from the curb and rolled down the window.
Basking in the warmth of the sun and the wind as she headed home, she couldn’t wait to feel Rags’s strong arms around her.
Casey was still singing along to the radio when she turned into the driveway.
The garage door rolled up and the second she spotted his SUV and Harley, the song died on her lips, replaced by a huge smile.
Her heart did a happy, familiar flip. She killed the engine in a hurry, her fingers fumbling with the seatbelt buckle in her sudden, impatient rush to get inside.
When she walked into the kitchen, the faint scent of ignited propane and sizzling metal tickled her nose.
Looking out the window, she saw Rags on the patio.
He was facing toward the dense forest of pine trees, his back to the house as he worked a long-handled wire scraper over the hot grates.
He wore only black jeans low on his hips, the muscles in his back flexing smoothly with every stroke.
Under the amber glow of the fading afternoon, the intricate tattoos on his arms flared bright against his skin. Anticipation coursed through her.
She kicked off her shoes on the hardwood floor and headed toward the sliding door.
When she eased it open, Rags looked over his shoulder and winked at her.
In two long strides, she was behind him, wrapping her arms around his bare waist, pressing her cheek to his warm back, and loving the solid feel of him against her.
“You look sexy playing a grill master.”
Rags let out a low chuckle. He laid the scraper on the side tray and turned within her embrace, his hands anchoring flat against her lower back as he pulled her flush against his hips.