Free Suspicions by Christine Kersey

In the
meantime she would act as normal as possible around him.
    Before she knew it, it was time to get dinner
started. Quickly fixing a casserole, she put it in the oven then
went into the office to prepare a few necessary things for that
night's party. While she was engrossed in packing up the needed
items, a hand came down on her shoulder. She shrieked and the
little lipstick samples she had been holding went flying into the
air. “Don't do that!” she said, when she saw it was Jason.
    “I'm sorry,” he laughed. “Why are you so
jumpy anyway?”
    It suddenly occurred to her how to test him.
“Detective Perkins came by today.” She stopped, waiting to see his
reaction, then went on when he didn't answer. “I couldn't keep him
from talking to Robby.”
    “And did Robby have anything interesting to
say?”
    Not knowing how to take his neutral response,
she said, “Why don’t you ask him? I’m sure he’d be happy to tell
you all about it. Besides, I need to clean up this mess.”
    All smiles, he said, “Sure, honey. I'll go
check on the kids.”
    He left the room and after a moment Stacey
quietly followed him down the hall. She stood around the corner
from the family room where no one could see her. If someone came
around the corner she wouldn't know it until they were practically
standing on her toes. Trying to quiet her breathing and slow her
racing heart, she listened to the voices coming from the adjacent
room.
    Jason spoke and Robby answered. She couldn’t
make out what they were saying but Jason didn’t sound upset. That
was a good sign, she thought.
    Then she heard the soft sound of footsteps on
thick carpet. She was frozen to the spot.
    “What are you doing, Mommy?” Nikki asked,
coming around the corner.
    Jason was right behind her, his face amused
like he had known what she was up to the whole time. “Yeah, Stacey.
What are you doing?”
    Embarrassed to be caught eavesdropping, she
walked past them. “I was just coming to check on dinner.”
     
     
     

Chapter Eleven
     
     
     
    It was eight-thirty that evening when Stacey
pulled away from the house where the make-up demonstration had been
held. She felt satisfied by the night's work, but was glad to be
getting home early. When she turned the corner to her street she
saw Patricia's car in the driveway - in Stacey's spot.
    She felt an ache beginning behind her right
eye. Patricia knew I wouldn't be home for a little while, Stacey
reminded herself. What is she doing here already?
    Stacey had to pull up at the curb.
    Upon entering the house she could hear
Patricia's throaty laughter followed by Jason's masculine voice.
Stacey felt uneasy, but pushed the feeling away and walked into the
family room where her husband and children were sharing a bowl of
popcorn with her director. Stacey almost felt like an intruder.
    Stacey looked directly at Patricia. “You're
early.”
    She was all innocence. “Am I? I thought you
said you'd be home by eight.”
    Had she been here that long? Stacey felt
greatly irritated. She was almost certain Patricia knew they had
agreed on nine. “Do you have the products?”
    Patricia gave Jason an engaging smile. “Jason
was kind enough to help me carry the boxes into the other
room.”
    Stacey looked at Jason with a smile that did
not reach her eyes. “Thank you, honey.”
    The silence stretched on uncomfortably until
Patricia stood and put on her coat. “Well, I guess I'll be going
now.” She turned back to Jason. “Thank you for the popcorn.”
    “Sure thing,” he said, staring at the
now-empty bowl.
    “Oh, and Stacey? I brought over some cookies
for you. The ones with the nuts are especially for you.” She smiled
at Jason. “I know you and the children don’t care for nuts.”
    “Thanks,” Stacey said, opening the door for
Patricia. As they stepped onto the porch Stacey let out a
shriek.
    “What in the world is wrong?” Patricia
asked.
    Stacey didn’t say anything. Grimacing, she
pointed at a large black