Free The First Wife by Erica Spindler Page B

murdered?
    And then she realized the truth. It was so obvious, she should have seen it a mile
     off. Billy Ray Williams had been in love with True.
    In some weird way, he still was.
    “What are you thinking?” he asked.
    “That Billy Ray was in love with True.”
    He nodded. “I’ve wondered that for a long time, but didn’t know how that could be.
     They saw each other maybe a handful of times. It doesn’t make sense.”
    The problem was, love didn’t have to make sense. It just was. She should know.
    “Do you have to go to the city today?” she asked.
    “Unfortunately. And it will be a late one. A city council meeting.”
    “Oh.”
    “I should get cleaned up.”
    “How about some breakfast?”
    “Sounds good. I’ll shower, then eat. Will you join me?”
    She said she would, then he stopped in the doorway and looked back at her. “You never
     said what you were doing in the study.”
    She stared at him a moment, then shook her head. “Mindless Internet surfing.”
    “Gotcha.” He smiled. “Be back down in ten minutes.”

 
    CHAPTER FOURTEEN
    Logan left for the city, and Bailey decided to pay Henry a visit. She hated the thought
     of him out there all alone, no one to talk to but Tony. Besides, she enjoyed his company.
    Bailey navigated her SUV down the narrow, twisting drive to Henry’s cabin. The pine
     trees lining the drive were so tall and densely packed, little sun seeped through.
    She had visited Henry once before, though that time she had walked, Tony leading the
     way. She hoped that this time, as she had then, she would find him on his porch, his
     ancient-looking chair creaking as he rocked.
    No such luck, Bailey saw as she drew to a stop in front of the cabin. She climbed
     out, but before she had taken two steps toward the porch Tony began to bark. By the
     time she reached the door, he was pawing at it, the sound of his barks turning high-pitched
     and frantic.
    She’d never heard him sound like that before and frowned. “Henry!” she called, rapping
     on the door. “It’s Bailey.”
    When he didn’t answer, she peered inside. The front room was tidy. Her gaze landed
     on the rug. It looked like Tony’d had an accident in the house.
    That didn’t make sense. He was completely housebroken. As long as she let him out
     when he—
    He hadn’t been let out.
    “Henry!” she called again. “It’s Bailey!” She tried the door. It opened and Tony darted
     past her. She watched as he reached the grass and lifted a leg.
    A sick feeling in the pit of her stomach, she stepped inside. It stank of dog urine
     and feces. She brought her hand to her nose and made her way deeper into the cabin.
    This wasn’t right. The smell. The quiet. She should go for help. Call someone—
    Tony barreled back inside and past her. He stopped at a doorway and looked back as
     if to say, “What are you waiting for?,” then darted through.
    She followed. The cabin’s single bedroom. Henry on the bed. Unmoving.
    A cry on her lips, she rushed across the room. “Henry! It’s me, Bailey! Wake up!”
    He didn’t respond and Tony leaped onto the bed, then began licking his face.
    Henry moaned.
    Alive. Thank God.
    Bailey shooed Tony away. Henry’s scarred face was flushed. She laid a hand on his
     forehead, found him burning up with fever. She wondered how long he had been ill,
     it could have been days now.
    His eyes opened. They were glassy with fever.
    “True,” he said.
    “No, it’s Bailey.” He caught her hand. His skin was dry and hot. “True,” he said again.
     “I was so afraid they had—”
    He moaned again, his eyes closing and his grip going limp.
    He needed water, she thought. And a fever reducer. But when she tried to go, he clutched
     her hand again. “Don’t go.”
    Tears stung her eyes. Her mother had said almost the same thing to her the day she
     died.
    “I won’t, I promise. I’ll be right back.” His grip didn’t ease. “I promise, Henry.
     I’m just going to get you some