Chapter 49
APRIL
Iheard the three rapid gunshots in succession.
It probably helped that I’d rolled down the closest window to the street. I wanted to hear it live. I wanted to hear my “precious” David’s final moments on earth.
No one crosses me, David. You should have realized that.
About five seconds later, I heard a fourth gunshot, which worried me. Why was there a break between shots? Had David somehow wrestled control of the gun and fired a shot back, killing Eddie?
And if they both died, would that be the worst thing ever? Only if the cops could prove that I somehow knew Eddie. We’d been as discreet as two people could, but you never knew. Criminals, a lot smarter than I, had been caught.
How would David get hold of Eddie’s gun, anyway? I started to doubt that was what happened. Maybe Eddie had gone back and fired one more shot, just to make sure that David was dead. That made a lot more sense.
A minute later, I noticed the noise coming from the end of the block. Someone had either heard the shots or stumbled upon David’s body.
Assuming he was alive, I prayed that Eddie got away. I either wanted him dead or nowhere near the crime scene when the police showed up. The middle ground meant that he’d be arrested, and that was bad news for yours truly.
Should I walk to the end of the street? I couldn’t decide. On the one hand, it might look suspicious if I’m one of the first people to arrive at the murder of my husband. On the other hand, if all my neighbors were going down to see what happened, it might look odd if I didn’t join them.
My decision was made for me a minute later when I heard a knock at my front door. My neighbor, Bex Andrews, was standing there.
“Hey, Bex.”
“Did you hear that, April?”
I decided to play dumb.
“Hear what? I was watching TV.”
“It sounds like there was a bunch of gunshots at the end of the block. And just as I was walking up to your house, I saw a police car arriving. Want to walk down there with me?”
“Sure. If you think it’s safe.”
“A cop just arrived. I’m sure whoever the shooter was is long gone.”
“You’re fearless, Bex. Okay, give me one minute, and I’ll walk down with you.”
I went to my room and grabbed a scarf. I mean, it was cold outside. But the real reason I’d gone in there was to look in the mirror and give a quick pep-talk.
I whispered to myself.
Act shocked. Act like a loving wife would. Shed some tears.
I’d always been good at that last part.
I reemerged from my room two minutes later. Bex was still waiting at my front door.
“All right, let’s go,” I said.
Bex and I made it out to Lipton Avenue and headed down to the end of the street.
There were now at least three cop cars and an ambulance.
Damn, they got there quick.
“What do you think it is?” Bex asked.
“I have no idea,” I said.
When we were about forty yards away, I could finally see David’s car surrounded by the police. It would have been weird if I didn’t react.
“Oh my God, Bex. That’s David’s car up there.”
“You’re kidding me. Oh, no.”
I took off running, thinking that’s what most women—women with a conscience—would have done.
I could see David’s car, but not much more. Three police cars were now in front of it, and four police officers were in front of their cars. The officers saw me running toward them, and one of them cut me off and grabbed me.
“That’s my husband’s car!” I screamed.
There were about fifteen people assembled, and they all looked in my direction. I recognized a few of them as my neighbors. I was intentionally yelling loudly, trying to make a memorable scene.
“What’s your name?” the officer asked.
“April Devers. That’s my husband David’s car.”
It was time to make an even bigger scene. I summoned up some fake tears.
“Is he in there? Please tell me he’s okay.”
A second and third officer approached me.
“Your husband drives a silver Mercedes?”
“Yes,” I said between my tears, which were flowing now. I was putting on quite the show. “That’s his car right there. Where is he?”
Bex Andrews had arrived, but couldn’t get too close since I was surrounded by three officers. I turned toward her.
“Oh, Bex. They won’t tell me anything.”
One of the officers put his arm on my shoulder. “Why don’t you follow me, Mrs. Devers?”
“Can’t you just tell me what’s going on? Is my husband okay? David!”
I yelled David loudly, and I could tell it hit home with the assembled crowd. The ones who didn’t already know me were starting to realize that I was the wife of whoever was in the car.
“Your husband has been shot, Mrs. Devers. Now, please come with me.”
I let out a huge moan. “Is he dead?”
The officer grabbed me more forcefully. “Please come with me so we can talk away from here.”
I’d made my point, so I walked with the officer. I had wanted to make a scene, but I didn’t want to be over the top. The tears were still streaming.
A lot of people think Meryl Streep is the best actress ever. I know she has a bunch of Oscars. I don’t care. She’d never performed as well as the one I was currently putting on.
The officer led me to a waiting cop car. He opened the back door.
“Please get in,” he said.
I obliged. He walked around to the other side of the car and got in.
“You’re not in any sort of trouble, Mrs. Devers. I just thought it would be easier to do this in the privacy of a police car.”
“Do what exactly?”
“What is your husband’s license plate number?”
I gave it to him, followed by a fountain of tears. “He’s dead, isn’t he?”
He looked at his phone briefly. I imagine he’d taken a photo of the license plate and was comparing the number to the one I gave him.
“This is going to be very difficult to hear, Mrs. Devers, but the man in the Mercedes is dead.”
I continued to channel my inner actress. “Maybe someone else was driving it. Maybe he got dropped off a few blocks early so he could walk.”
“Do you really believe that, Mrs. Devers?”
I let out my loudest cry yet. “No,” I muttered.
“Your husband’s body is going to be taken to the morgue at some point. When it does, I’ll drive you down there to identify him. I’d suggest staying in this car until then, unless you want to deal with everyone out there.”
“I’ll stay here,” I said.
“I think that’s better.”
“Who would do something like this? Everyone loved David.”
“I’m so sorry.”
The officer patted me on the shoulder as I continued to cry. A minute later, he got out of the car and left me to myself.
What I really wanted to do was let out a wry smile, but I couldn’t risk it, just in case anyone was watching me.
Instead, I kept fake crying.
I was good at this shit.
Oh, and by the way, good fucking riddance, David.
You thought you could divorce me and leave me with nothing?
Think again.