Chapter 21
Dahlia
“How is Nadine?” I asked Tess as she walked into the gallery.
“She’s okay. The detectives were there questioning her.”
“Did they say if they had any suspects yet?” I cautiously asked.
“They think it’s The Last Chapter Killer again. You know what she told me?”
“What?”
“She said that it felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders and she wouldn’t miss him. You don’t think she had something to do with it, do you?” she whispered so the customers in the gallery didn’t overhear.
“Nadine?” I laughed. “I don’t really know her, but no. There’s no way.”
“I know.” Tess waved her hand in front of her face. “I can’t believe I just asked that.”
As we were talking, my phone pinged with a text from Alex.
I’ll be over tonight around seven. You’d better be ready for me.
I will be.
“Alex?” Tess asked.
“Yeah. He’s coming over tonight.”
“When do I get to meet him?”
“Soon. I’ll have you over for dinner.”
“Sounds marvelous.” She grinned.
After my shift ended, I left the gallery and drove home. When I pulled into the driveway, I saw Kris standing on the lawn, watering her flowers.
“Hi.” She waved as I climbed out of my car.
I casually walked over. “Hey. How are you?”
“I’m okay. Can you do me a favor?”
“Sure. Anything,” I said.
“Can you keep an eye on the house for a couple of weeks? I’m taking the girls to Europe. We need a break and a change of scenery.”
“Of course.”
“Thanks, Dahlia. We’re leaving in a few days. I’ll bring over the key.”
“Sounds good. Have a good evening, Kris.”
“You too.” She smiled.
I stepped into the house and left the front door unlocked for Alex. Walking into the kitchen, I poured myself a glass of wine and turned on the news.
“Bart Rexley was a pillar of this community, and today’s tragedy has hit everyone hard. The police are asking anyone with any information to please step forward. Be sure to tune in tomorrow morning for a statement from Captain Wilson.”
I heard the front door open. Picking up the remote, I turned the TV off and went to greet Alex.
“There’s my beautiful girl.” He grinned, wrapping his arms around me.
“Welcome home. I want to hear all about the conference.” I kissed his lips, and he followed me into the kitchen.
“It was amazing,” he said as I poured him a glass of wine. “Talking literature to all of those aspiring students who actually care about literature was such a high. God, Dahlia. They asked such good questions.”
“That’s great, Alex. I’m happy you had a good time. On another note. Did you hear?”
“Hear what?” His brows furrowed.
“Bart Rexley was found murdered in his office this morning.”
“Who’s Bart Rexley?”
“He’s a real estate developer. The police are saying he’s another victim of The Last Chapter Killer.”
“Jesus Christ, Dahlia. That’s awful.”
“Here’s the weird thing. When I went to Tess’s house that night for dinner, she had a few of her friends over. One of the women was Nadine, Bart’s soon-to-be ex-wife.”
“What?” His eyes widened.
“Apparently, her husband was having an affair with an interior designer. Nadine found out and filed for divorce. From what Tess said, Bart was trying to get full custody of their son.”
“No shit. Do you think Nadine did it?”
“No.” I shook my head.
“I think we both need to put our houses up for sale and leave Key West. It’s too dangerous here.”
I laughed. “It’s dangerous anywhere. Besides, once this Last Chapter Killer person is caught, Key West will be safe once again.”
“I’m serious, Dahlia.” He gripped my hips.
“And so am I, Alex.”