Free What's Done In the Dark by Reshonda Tate Billingsley Page A

bother? Greg and I went to the justice of the peace three days later.
    I took great pride in telling Steven that I was married. His long silence told me that my declaration of love for Greg stung, and I was glad. I wanted him to feel the same pain I did. He never let on, though. And I took my place as a bridesmaid at their wedding. I fought back tears as I watched them say, “I do.” I led the toast for the married couple to have a lifetime of joy. And I convinced myself that I wasn’t in love with my best friend’shusband.

13
    Paula
    I WAS BEYOND WORRIED NOW. It was nine the next morning. I still hadn’t heard from Steven. I’d logged on to AT&T and seen that he still hadn’t made any calls since we talked, which only intensified my worry.
    I was about to break into a full-fledged panic when my mother appeared in the bedroom doorway.
    “Umm, Paula.” She looked extremely nervous as she fidgeted with her hands. “The police are here.”
    “The police?” I said, jumping up off my bed. “For what?” In my distracted state I hadn’t heard the doorbell ring. “Are the kids back? Where’s Tahiry?” I asked as I slipped on some pants.
    “I went and picked up Tahiry last night. She and the boys are downstairs.”
    “Well, what do the police want?”
    My mom didn’t answer as she followed me out. I had barely reached the bottom of the stairs when the first officer said, “Mrs. Wright?”
    “Yes?” I replied, taking slow steps in their direction.
    The first officer glanced at Tahiry and her brothers, who were all standing in the middle of the living room, staring at him.
    “Ummm, is there somewhere we can go talk in private?”
    “Private? Why do we need to talk in private?” I asked, my voice squeaking. “Is this about my husband? Did something happen to Steven?”
    “Please? It’ll just take a few minutes,” the officer said.
    I didn’t like the way this was sounding. “Mom, can you take the kids in the other room?”
    Tahiry wanted to protest, but the look on my face must’ve told her that now wasn’t the time. My mother took Mason and Marcus’s hands and led them out. Tahiry and Stevie reluctantly followed.
    “What’s going on?” I asked as soon as they were out the room.
    “Well, it is about your husband”—he glanced down at his notepad—“Steven Wright.”
    My heart immediately sank. “What about him? He’s fine, right? Where is he? Has he been arrested?”
    “Ma’am, unfortunately, there’s been an accident.”
    I fell back against the wall. I had to hold on to the railing to keep from losing my balance. “What kind of accident?”
    The officers exchanged glances; then the second one, a compassionate-looking man, stepped forward. “I’m sorry to have to inform you of this, but Steven’s body was discovered in a local hotel this—”
    “Wh-what do you mean, body?” I said, cutting him off. Surely this had to be some kind of mistake. I felt my mom ease to my side and take my arm, trying to keep mefrom collapsing. “Where’s my husband?”
    “Sweetie, calm down,” my mom whispered, her voice shaking.
    I jerked away. “No, what are you talking about?”
    The second officer looked pained. “Ma’am, there’s no easy way to say this. Your . . . Your husband was found dead in his hotel room this morning. One of the housekeepers found him in his bed unresponsive. Of course, the coroner will give the final report, but it looks like he just died in his sleep.”
    All of the breath inside me escaped, and I fell to the floor. I didn’t realize that I was screaming until Tahiry came running out.
    “Mom, what’s wrong?” she cried.
    “There has to be some kind of mistake,” I heard my mother say.
    “Mom, what’s going on?” Tahiry frantically repeated.
    “Get her out of here!” I screamed at my mom.
    Tahiry jerked away as my mom tried to take her arm. “No, I’m not going anywhere! What’s going on?”
    I looked at my daughter, then opened my arms to hug her.