A FRIENDS TO LOVERS ROMANCE
THE FOUR GROOMSMEN OF THE WEDPOCALYPSE
BOOK 4
LILIAN MONROE
CONTENTS
FreeNovellas
THEWEDPOCALYPSEGETSCOMPLICATED
Chapter1
Chapter2
Chapter3
Chapter4
Chapter5
Chapter6
Chapter7
Chapter8
Chapter9
Chapter10
Chapter11
Chapter12
Chapter13
Chapter14
Chapter15
Chapter16
Chapter17
Chapter18
Chapter19
Chapter20
Chapter21
Chapter22
Chapter23
Chapter24
Chapter25
Chapter26
Chapter27
Chapter28
Chapter29
Chapter30
Epilogue
DirtyLittleMidlifeCrisis
Fiona
AbouttheAuthor
AlsobyLilianMonroe
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ONE
THE DAY HAD ACTUALLY STARTED out reallywell. WhenScarlett Westbrookopened her eyes that morning, all she knew wasthatoneofherbestfriendswasgettingmarried,thesunwasshiningonabeautifulautumnday,andlifewasgood. No,lifewas great.She’dawokeninher plushbed,inahouseshe’dscrimpedandsavedtobuy,feelinglikefinally, finally, things were coming together. The hard patches in her life were over, and now she could finally live. She rode that high, smiling,laughing,celebrating,upuntil itwastimeforhertomakeaspeechatLucyandCormac’sweddingreception That’s whenthingsbegantogowrong.
Microphoneinhand,atremuloussmileonherlips,andaspeechwaitinginthephonesheheldinfrontofher,Scarlettcould haveeasilylaughedoffwhathappenednext.Wasn’tsheoutgoingandgregarious?Didn’tpeopletellhershewasthelifeofany party?Shecouldbrazenitout,blushalittle,andtakethewell-deservedlaughterandribbingwithafewself-deprecatingjokes ofherown.
ButlifehadexacteditstollfromScarlettoverthepastfewyears,andonthedayofhergoodfriend’swedding,thelaughter andgoodhumorsheworeasarmorcrumbledtodust
ShestoodinherfriendLucy’sparents’backyardwiththerestoftheguests.LucyandCormachadhadaprivateceremony thatmorning, and now theyhad gathered all their familyand friends atthe Barlows’place for the reception Casual itmight havebeen,buttheeventwasn’tlackinginjoyandmerriment.Thebackyardhadbeenstrungupwithfairylights,musicblasted fromspeakers,andfriendsandneighborshaddriftedovertoshareinfoodanddrinksandlaughter.
Lucylooked fabulous inher gown Itwas a showstopper ofbeadingand tulle and elegance, and notatall whatScarlett would have envisioned for her quietfriend. The momentshe’d seenLucystep outofthe car as she arrived atthe reception, Scarlett knew Lucyhad chosenwell Anunderstated gownwouldn’t have made Lucyglow the waythis one did Asubtle, simpledresswouldn’thavetwinkledunderthelightsandreflectedtheincandescenthappinessinLucy’seyes.Thedresswas perfectinitsexuberance
Besides,everyonedeservedtodressup,especiallyontheirweddingday.
Scarletthaddonatedhundreds offlowers fromher shopfor theevent,arrangingthemall over thebackyardandsunroom whereguestscelebratedtheunionofthehappycouple Aroundherwerepeoniesinpalepink,deepfuchsia,andwhite;dahlias ranging fromblush to the deepest red; elegant, trumpet-shaped calla lilies; carnations with their ruffled petals and lovely fragrance;roses and gardenias;and fronds and ferns and accompanyinggreenery She’d raided her store for everybeautiful, brightflower shecouldspare,becauseLucywas afriend.Thebestoffriends.LucyhadwelcomedScarlettwithopenarms, enfoldingher inthe group that had become almost like a family Lucy’s quiet industriousness had had a soothingeffect on Scarlettas she established herselfinthis new town. The dark-haired bride deserved all the flowers inScarlett’s shop, and more.
ComingtoStirling,New Hampshirehadbeenarebirthfor Scarlett,andtoday’seventwasoneofthefirsttimesinmany, manyyearsthatshetrulyfeltlikeshebelonged.She’dbeenincludedbefore morningbootcamps,coffeesandbrunches,nights out,movingdays,backyardbarbecues,holidays butLucy’sweddingwasdifferent She,alongwithLucy’sparents,Cormac’s family, and the rest of their friends, had brought the event together withina week, and Scarlett had felt like she’d beenan integralpartoftheoperation.Shewasn’tjustinvited;shewasimportant. Shewashome.
Afteryearsofstruggle,she’dfoundherpeople.Forthefirsttimeinherlife,theconceptofafoundfamilyresonatedwith
Scarlett.
Shewantedsoverybadlyfor themtoknow how muchshelovedandappreciatedthem.Shedidn’twantself-deprecating jokesandblusteringbanter;shewantedtobeauthentic ShewantedtolookatLucyandtellherhowmuchsheappreciatedthe otherwoman’sfriendship,howcloseshe’dbeentodespairwhenshe’darrivedintown,andhowtransformedshefeltnowthat she’dfoundthem Shewantedtolifther champagnefluteinatoasttothenew coupleandwishthemall thehappiness inthe world.
Unfortunately,whatshewantedandwhatshegotweretwodifferentthings
Becauseitwas her laptopthathadbeenneededtosetupthemicrophoneandprojector,anditwasherphonethatshe’djust swiped to unlock. The two devices knew eachother;theywere the bestoffriends too. And intheir haste to show justhow closetheywere,thelaptopandthephonebegantospeaktoeachother,andtheygotthespeakersandprojectorscreeninvolved aswell.
Itwasonebigtechnologicaljoke,andScarlettwasthepunchline
As she stood infrontofall the people thathad finallymade her feel athome, her phone’s screenflicked awayfromthe speechshe’dwrittenandautomaticallyopenedheraudiobookapp,whichhelpfullypickeduprightwhereScarletthadleftoff thatmorning.
A surprised murmur went through the audience as the projector screen which had been displaying a slideshow of adorablephotosofLucy,Cormac,andtherestofthegang flickedtoanimageofanoiled-upmanwithaveryimpressiveset ofabs.Thewords Taken by the Shifter King weresplashedacrossthebottomofthescreen.Scarlettwasintimatelyacquainted with that cover, since it belonged to one of her favorite books There was a certain ahem chapter that she revisited frequently.She’ddonesojustafewhoursearlier,inthosewonderfulhourswhenlifewasfantastic.
Fumbling,Scarletttriedtoclosetheapp,butshewasholdingitwithher non-dominantlefthand therightbeingtheone holding the microphone and instead of closing the audiobook, her uncoordinated fingers flicked back to her speech by accident.
Meanwhile,thespeakerscrackled,andScarlett’sfacegrewsohotsofastthatpassingoutwasarealpossibility Yes,she’d beenlisteningto a sexyromance novel earlier featuringa werewolfand his humanmate. Yes, she’d paused it whenshe’d, well,finishedwithit No,shehadn’tgivenitasecondthought
Butshewasgivingitasecondthoughtnow.Shewasthinkingveryhardthatshewishedshe’dflickedforwardtothenext chapterbeforeclosingtheapp.
“‘You’ll take all of me,’Magnus growled, his beast riding close to the surface I whimpered, thighs trembling with need I could see the feral light in Magnus’s eyes, could feel his need in the tight clasp of his hand around my thigh. His claws had begun to emerge, pressing against my yielding flesh ‘Yes,’I gasped ”
Someone was cackling. Camilla? Someone else was scandalized, judging by the loud gasp. Murmurs grew in the assembledcrowd Scarletthearditalllikeshewasunderwater,thenoisesdistorted,distant Shetriedtogetbacktotheaudiobookapptoendthishumiliation.Thiswasn’thowthespeechwassupposedtogo. “‘Magnus wrenched my knees apart and positioned himself at my entrance His breaths were sharp as he took himself in one hand, giving himself one last swift stroke before he ”
TheaudiobookcutoffbeforeMagnusdidhisbesttosplittheheroine,Adeline,intwo,andScarlettnearlyweptwithrelief. Forabouthalfasecond
Because a moment later, an automated female voice proclaimed, “New message from: Gas Station Attendant Jimmy. Hey gorgeous. Missing those buns of yours. ” Scarlett’sstomachplummeted.Her chestwassuddenlyanemptycavity,withnothingbutgurglinghorror beginningtofill thevoid.
Thenthe automated voice said, helpfully, “A peach emoji. An eggplant emoji. A water droplets emoji. A winking face emoji. A crazy face emoji. A tongue emoji. Three kissing face emojis.”
Theoneeveningshe’dspentwithGasStationAttendantJimmyhadbeenahorrible,horriblemistake.Scarlettrealizedthat now
Therobotladyadded:“And. Gas Station Attendant Jimmy. Been a while. U free tonight?” Someone in the audience called out, “Who’s Gas Station Attendant Jimmy?” Someone else said, “Get it, girl!” People laughed.
Scarlettcouldn’tbreathe.Hervisionwastunneling,andherhandstrembledsohardshecouldn’tgetherstupidphonetodo whatitwasmeanttodo.
She almost wished Magnus had done the deed with Adeline in front of all these people. It was better than a long-ago hookuptryingtoreconnect
Anothermessagecamein,andScarlettknewthatifthemanwasinfrontofher,she’dwrapherhandsaroundhisneckand squeeze Why washemessagingher?Theyhadn’tspokeninovertwoyears!
Therobottoldthecrowd,“And. Gas Station Attendant Jim ” Ahigh-pitchedsquealmadeeveryonewince,butthevoicewentblessedlysilent.Asecondlater,thescreenwasblack.
Scarlett hyperventilated Still struggling with the phone in her non-dominant hand, she finally shifted to hold the microphoneunderherarmpit,putthephoneinherrighthand,flickeditintoDoNotDisturbMode,switchedtotheaudiobook app,andshutitdownwithaflickofherthumb Shewastremblingallover,theworldunsteadybeneathherfeet Herearsrang Facehot,sheturnedherbacktotheaudienceandsuckedinahardbreath,tryingtoregainhercomposure.Tearssprangto thecornersofhereyes,andawaveofmortificationmadeherkneesknock Shehadmoments mereseconds toputhermask backon,topretendthatshewasn’tsoashamedshewantedtodisappear,tohopethatLucywasn’tbotheredthatScarletthad just blasted explicit werewolf sex at her wedding reception, and then followed it up with texts from a horny gas station attendantwho’ddecidedtonightwasthenighttoshoothisshot
Apartofherdiedinthatmoment.Itwasalittlebud,itspetalsbeginningtounfurl,thehopethathadstartedtobloomwith her new beginninginthis town While everyone recovered fromthe high-pitched squeal ofthe speakers, that buddinghope wiltedanddied,adriedhuskofwhatitcouldhavebeen.
Scarlettcouldn’thavefriends notthelifelongkind Noonewouldstickaroundwhenshedidthingslikethis Shecouldn’t chooseadecentmantosaveherlife.Shewasdestinedtobealone,andthiswasjustanotherpieceofevidencestackedagainst her.Scarlettwouldforeverbeontheoutsidelookingin.
Thefactthatherheartfeltlikeithadturnedblackandperishedinherchestwasofnoconcern Ithadhappenedbefore,and itwould happenagain. She could deal withthis;she had no choice. She wouldn’tbreakinfrontofall these people these kind,friendlypeoplewhohadmadeherfeellikeshebelonged She’dshowthemwhattheywantedtosee:aconfident,slightly embarrassed butunapologetic womanwho was comfortable inher ownskin. Nota tremblinglittle mouse who feltlike her worldhadjustended.ThatversionofScarlettcouldonlycomeoutwhenshewasaloneagain.
Inhaling once more, Scarlett forced herself to straighten her shoulders. She could do this. All she had to do was turn around, blast them all with a smile, and laugh as she covered her eyes with her hand, pretending to only be jokingly embarrassedtohidethetruemortificationpoisoningherblood Thenshe’drunaway
Herchinlifted andshemetthesteady,piercinggazeofArcherJones.
AfistwrappeditselfaroundScarlett’sstomachandsqueezed She’dknownhe’dbeenstandingbehindher,leaningagainst thedoorframethatopenedontothesunroom.Theireyeshadmetforamomentbeforeshe’dbroughtthemicrophoneuptoher lips,eonsagowhenshe’dbeencoolandcollectedandconfident.
Nowshewasanythingbut.
Hewatchedherthrougheyesthatmissednothing,thepalecolorofhisiriseshighlightedbyhissun-darkenedskinandthe few fine lines extending fromthe corners of his eyes She wasn’t used to seeing himin a suit, and the effect was slightly staggering.Heworehisshirtopenatthecollar,revealingacordedthroatandmorebronzedskin.
Lasttimeshe’dseenhimdressedlikethat,they’dcrossedtheboundsoffriendshipandenteredmurkywaters Shewouldn’t doitagain.
Lidsheavy,Archerlethisgazeroamoverherface,downtoherlips,andbackuptohereyes.Hehadnorighttolookather likethat Notafterwhathadhappenedbetweenthem andallthathadn’t
His brows furrowed slightlyas he mether gaze, and Scarlettwondered, distantly, whathe saw writtenonher features. Couldhe tell the depthofher distress? Couldhe see how devastatedshe was tohave messedupthis moment? Wouldhe be abletoreadjusthowmuchshe’dwantedtohonorherfriendshipwithLucy,andhowashamedshewastohavemadeamockery ofit?
Sheblinked,banishinghershamesomewheredeepbelowthesurface.Nowwasnotthetimetofallapart. Archer’sfrowneased.No.Hehadn’tseenwhatwasinsideher.Good.
Then his arm shifted, and Scarlett noticed the dangling ends of two cords between his fingers The speaker and the projector.Hergazerosetomeethisagain,andhearchedabrow.
“Savedyourlife,”hesaid,voicepitchedsoonlyshecouldhear Pushinghimselfoffthedoorframe,Archersteppeddown ontothestairjustabovetheoneonwhichshestood.Hesmelleddelicious;butthen,shealreadyknewthatfrombefore. He was close enoughto touch Close enoughthatScarlettcould see the pale grayofhis eyes, the little specks ofdarker blue.Closeenoughthatsherememberedhowitfelttobeinhisarms.
Sheblinked,droppedhergaze,andtookastepback.Retreated.Shedidn’twanttorememberthefeelofhislipsagainsther skinor the wayshe’d beenable to smell the scent ofhimfor anhour after they’d parted That would be treacherous That wouldmakeherwantthingsshecouldneverhave.They’dsharedoneill-conceivedencounter,andnothinglikeitwouldever happenagain
Scarlettwasanidiot,notafool.
“Ithinkyoumightowe me one after this,” Archer said, inspectingthe ends ofthe two cords. His fingers were long, his palmscalloused.Aworkingman’shands.Thefeelofthemslidingagainstherthighshaddonemorethananyfictionalwerewolf ever could. Archer touched the gold-tipped end of the speaker cord. “Who knows what Jimmywould have said next? The
emojiswereparticularlytelling.SoundstomelikehewasstrokinghimselfasswiftlyasMagnusthewerewolf.”
Wasthatanedgeinhisvoice?Scarlettsnappedhergazebackuptomeethis,onlytobemetwithanunrepentantgrin.He wasmockingher Ofcourse Couldsheblamehim?
“WhoisthisJimmyguy,anyway?”
Scarlett’sembarrassmentfadedasaflashofangertookover “That’snoneofyourbusiness Givemethose”Sheheldout herhandforthecords.
Archer held her gaze and didn’t move “You got a thing for gas station attendants? Is that why things didn’t work out betweenus?”
Scarlettmanaged a snort. “There was nothingbetweenus thatcould or could notworkout. We…made a mistake, that’s all,”shesaid
Itwasthetruth.They’dkissed,they’dfondled,andthenthey’dcometotheirsenses.Theywerefriends.Nothingmore. Whichremindedher sheneededtoturnaroundandfaceallthepeoplewhowerewaitingforhertomakeaspeech IgnoringthebrushofArcher’sfingersagainsthersasshetookthecordsfromhisgrasp,Scarlettpluggedeverythinginand testedthemicrophonebytappingonit Sheforcedherselftosquarehershouldersoncemore,andshetookanotherdeepbreath Archer withdrew tothedoorwayagainandwatchedher,tiltinghis head.Itunnervedher,thewayheseemedtoseeright throughtothecoreofher.Hewasn’tfooledbythebrightsmileshepaintedonherlips.
Butshewasn’thereforArcher Shewashereforherfriend’swedding Turningaround,shefacedthecrowd,smiled,andsaid,“Let’strythatagain.”
TWO
THAT MORNING, ashe’ddressedfortheevent,Archerhadn’tthoughtofScarlett.Thenhe’darrived,seenherinherdress and heels and hair and makeup, and beentransported backto a darkened hallwayjust around the corner fromMarlonand Camilla’sweddingreceptionseventeenmonthsearlier.Herememberedwhatitfeltliketohaveallthoselushcurvespressed tighttohisbody,andhewantedtofeelitagain.
Today,he’dwalkedintotheBarlows’homeandseenhertalkingtoGusBarlow,Lucy’sdad,whileshearrangedflowerson oneofthesidetablesinthesunroom.Thesunhadglintedoffhermedium-brownhair,highlightingtheglossywaves.Herdress wasblack,cutclosetoherbody He’dstoodthere,tenfeetaway,watchingthewayherhandsarrangedtheflowerswithgentle precisionas her lips gracedGus witha warmsmile.She’dlookedlike a goddess ofdesire,sentdowntoEarthfor the sole purposeofturningmen’sbrainstomush.GushimselflookedslightlythunderstruckasScarlettlaughedatoneofhisjokes.Then theoldermanjoinedinamomentlaterasifrememberingbelatedlythatheshouldbelaughingtoo.
Archerhadstoodthere,sickwithwantingher.
Butthere wouldn’tbe a repeatofthe lastweddingArcher and Scarletthad attended together They’d agreed;theywere friendswhohadgottencarriedaway.Afew toomanydrinksconsumedwhiletheywatchedtwopeoplecommittheirlivesto eachother had addled their brains, butthey’d recovered quickly There were no real feelings betweenArcher and Scarlett, onlyabitofpost-weddinglustthatthey’dindulgedinwithoutthinkingitthrough.
Archerhadonlyonerealfamilynow:theonehe’dcreated.Hewouldn’truinitbypursuingawoman,evenifshehappened tobeagoddess WithAmeliamarriedtoLeo,hersisterMaggiemarriedtoEmory,CamillamarriedtoMarlon,andnowLucy marriedtoCormac,theirfriendgroupwasatangleofcoupleswhospentalltheirtimetogether.
WhatifArcherandScarletthadtheirfun,anditendedbadly?Itwouldaffectthewholegroup Itwasbetternottoriskit
ButArcherhadbeentempted,allthosemonthsago.He’dfelttherakeofhernailsonhisscalp,heardthesweetgaspsshe’d letoutwithherlipsnearhisear
Thetemptationlingered.Hewasaman,afterall.Hewantedtoclaim.Topossess.Whowouldn’t?
Buthe knew where things stood betweenthem, and he agreed. Itwas better notto indulge incarnal thoughts, especially whenso muchwas atstake Archer couldn’tlose the onlypeople who trulycared abouthim, trulyaccepted himas he was Especiallynotforawoman.
Butasthereceptionworeon,hisgazekeptbeingdraggedinScarlett’sdirectionnomatterhowhardhetriedtoresist
Andafewmomentsago,afterhe’dpulledthecordsandcutthesoundandvideotoScarlett’sdisastrousspeech,he’dseen something in her face It only lasted a moment, right at the peak of her embarrassment It was an awful, haunted sort of vulnerability.Somethingthatwassoatoddswiththeconfident,self-containedwomanheknewScarletttobe. Itshockedhim.
Thattormentonherfacehadbeenaknifetothegut,andnowArcherwasantsy Hewantedtofixit,whateveritwas But Scarlettwasturningtofacetheaudienceagain,andtherewasnothingArchercoulddobutwait.
“Iapologizeforwhatjusthappened,”Scarletttoldthecrowdasshebeganherspeech Shepausedfordramaticeffect “But asanaside,ifanyoneknowsawerewolfwho’ssingleandlookingforatallbrunettewithquestionabletasteinmen,feelfreeto sendthemmyway.”
Laughter rippled through the audience. Camilla put her fingers to her lips and wolf-whistled, to which Scarlett added, sardonically,“Gasstationattendantsneednotapply.”
The laughter grew, and Archer watched as Scarlettflattened the crowd withthatbrilliantsmile ofhers. Standinga little behindandtothesideofher,hesawScarlettinprofileandnoticedthewaytheedgesofherlipstrembled,notedthetensionin hershoulders
Thatsmile was a mask, he realized, straightening. He couldn’tbelieve he hadn’tseenitbefore. Archer, who could read peoplemoreeasilythananytext Whohadbuilthisbusinessonthefoundationofhischarmandhisintuition He’dmissedthe bigneonsignthatproclaimedthatScarlettwasn’ttheunshakablepillarofself-assurancesheappearedtobe.
Andshewasstandinginfrontofalltheirsharedfriends,completelyalone
“Someonewhohasgreattasteinmenisthatwomanrightthere,”Scarlettcontinued,sweepingherarmtowardthebackof the yard. “Lucyis one ofthe kindest, mosthard-workingpeople I’ve ever met, and I’mthrilled to be able to stand here and congratulateher”
AsScarlettstoodinfrontoftheassembledcrowd,Archerwatchedtheplayofthefairylightsoverherhair.Henoticedthe wayherdresshuggedhercurves,howtheblackfabricdippeddowninaVthatjusttouchedthetopofhercleavage Shewore adelicatenecklacethatdangledrightbetweenhercollarbones,andArcherstrainedtogetagoodlookatitasScarlettbriefly angledherbodyinhisdirection Somekindofpalepurplestone,maybelightblue Hisgazeslidbacktoherface,totheelegant archofherbrowandthesparklypeachmakeupshe’ddrapedoverherlids.
Shewasastunningwoman.He’dknownitbefore,ofcourse.Buttherewassomethingabouthertonight,specifically,that madeArchertakestock Shewasn’tquiteso untouchable Invincible Hisgutpulsedwiththeneedtogotoher,towrapherin hisarms,topresshislipstohertemple,tomurmursoftwordsinherear.
Whateverwashurtingher,hewantedtotearittopieces Hewantedtofixthis,rightnow,thisinstant
Butthatmadenosense.
Everyonewasenthralledbyher,hangingonhereveryword.Howcouldanyoneresisthermagic?Shewasutterwomanly perfection.AsScarlettcontinuedweavingaspell overtheaudiencewithhervoice,ArcherfoundhimselfthinkingaboutGas StationAttendantJimmy.Whowas he? Whatdida gas pumpworker have thathe didn’t? Whydidhe feel soannoyedatthe thoughtofsomeemoji-lovingtry-hardsendingherunsolicitedmessages?
Were theyunsolicited?
“ solet’sliftourglassestoCormacandLucy Iloveyouboth,andI’mproudtocallyoumyfriends Iwishyoualifetime ofhappinesstogether.Congratulations.”
Scarlettended her speechwithanother one ofher megawattsmiles, handed the microphone offto Leo, who approached fromthelawn,andthenturnedherbacktotheaudienceandhurriedupthestepsleadingtothesunroom.
“Excuse me,” she mumbled as she slid pastArcher inthe doorway, squeezingpastso no partofher touched anypartof him Hecaughtaglimpseofhercrumpledface,andaspearlancedhimrightthroughthechest Herscentlingeredforamoment, sweetandsummery,asshehurriedintothehouseanddisappearedaroundacorner.
He didn’thesitate for a moment He was twosteps behind her as she shutherselfinthe downstairs powder room, close enoughtohearhershudderingbreaththroughthedoor.
“Scarlett?”hecalledoutsoftly,rappinghisknuckleonthewoodpanel.
“Goaway”Hervoicewastight Thespearinhischesttwisted Hepaused,leaningagainstthedoorframe.Everybitofhimwantedtobreakdownthedoor,wrapherinhisarms,andmake sureshenevergotthatlookonherfaceagain Theurgewassostronghehadtocurlhishandsintofistsandtakeadeepbreath toregainsomesortofcontrol.
Shewasafriend Thatwasall Shewasafriendindistress,andhedidn’tlikeseeingherupset That’swhatwasgoingon here,nothingmore.
Anotherrattleofbreathsoundedthroughthedoor.Archergrimaced,rubbinghistemple.WhywasScarlettsoupset?Was thisabouttheaudiobookandthetexts?Noonecared!She’dalwaysseemedsoconfident Didshethinkpeoplewerejudging her?
Then,anewthoughtmadehisstomachdrop:WassheupsetaboutthisJimmyguy?Hadhehurther?
“Scarlett,”hetriedagain,throattight.“Talktome.” Silence
AnitchdevelopedunderArcher’scollar.Hestaredatthedoorknob,wonderingifshe’dkillhimifhebargedin.Probably. Heleanedagainstthewallnexttothedooranddrummedhisfingersagainstit.
“Yourspeechwasgreat,”hetoldthedoor Asnifflesounded,andArcher’sribswinchedtighter Silence stretched. Casting about for something that would make her speak to him, Archer settled on the worst option: “Whichgasstationisit,exactly,whereJimmyworks?”
The bathroomdoor flew open. Scarlett stood in the doorway, looking furious and fragile and beautiful. Archer’s heart stuttered.Her browneyes were glazed,andthe tipofher nose was red.Her hair,previouslystyledtoshampoo-commercial perfection,lookedlikeshe’dbeenrunningherhandsthroughitafewtoomanytimes.Archerimagineditwouldlooksomewhat similarifheweretowakeupandfindherinhisbed,whichwasanicethought.
No.No,itwasabadthought.Itwasaverywrongthought.
“Jimmyisnoneofyourbusiness,Archer,”Scarlettanswered,eyesflashing,whichdidn’thelpArcherregaincontrolofhis waywardthoughtsintheslightest Shelookedgoodwhenshewasangry Butshewasmadthathe’dproddedher aboutanother man.WhatwasGasStationAttendantJimmytoher?Didshe did shelovehim?
ArcherwouldfindthisJimmyandpushhimoffatallcliff.Hecouldn’texplainwhythemurderousurgestruckhim,butit wasstrongenoughtomakehimclearhisthroat “Didhehurtyou?”Hisvoicecameoutgarbled Scarlettblinked.Frowned.“What?”
“Areyoucryingbecauseheupsetyou?”Hetriedtomakehisvoicelevel,buthecouldn’thelpfocusingonScarlettashe waitedforheranswer Suddenly,whetherornotGasStationAttendantJimmywasthecauseofthoseunshedtearsseemedvery, veryimportant.
“Archer,wewentononedate,andtherewasnochemistry” “Seemedlike he feltsomechemistry.”
“It’sSaturdayevening He’sprobablyrapid-firetextingeverywomanwho’severgivenhimhernumber”
“Youthink?”Archerleanedashoulderagainstthedoorframe.“Heseemedprettyinterestedinyourbuns,specifically.” Herglarechasedawayafewmoreoftheshadowsinhereyes.“Ihaven’tspokentothemanintwoyears.WhyamIeven tellingyouthis?It’snoneofyourbusiness”
Hisshoulderseased.“Isee.”TwoyearswouldmeanJimmyhadbeenonthatdatebeforeArcherandScarletthadtheir… moment Archer couldn’t decide if he preferred that to the alternative, and he also couldn’t figure out why he should care whetherJimmycamebeforeorafterhim.“Hejusttextedyououtoftheblue?”
Scarletthuffed,plantingherhandsonherhips.“Yes.Isthatsohardtobelieve?”
Archershrugged.WasithardtobelievethatamanwouldbethinkingaboutScarletttwoyearson?No.Archerwasgoing onseventeenmonthshimself,afterall.Wasithardtobelievethatshefeltnothingfortheotherman?Thatwashardertoanswer. Whyelsewouldthetextsmakehercry?
Inthatmoment,Archer discoveredhehadapettystreakwhenhesaid,“Hesoundslikealoser.Thoseemojis?Comeon. Howoldisthisguy?Isheevenlegallyallowedtodrink?”
Scarlett’scheeksflushed,andhergazeslidtotheside.“Idon’twanttotalkaboutit.Thishasnothingtodowithhim,other thanhatinghistiming.”
Henoddedtowardthebackyard.“Nobodycaredaboutthat,Scarlett.Theythoughtitwas funny.Youhandleditperfectly. Noonewasjudgingyou.”
Thereitwasagain thathauntedlookonScarlett’sface Wasshereallysoembarrassedaboutafewtextsandaromance book?God thatwasnothing.Ifsomeofhisowntextspoppeduponascreen,he’dbeshunnedfrompolitesocietyforever.
ButshadowswerecreepingintoScarlett’seyesagain,andArcherfeltsomethingclosetopanic Heneededtofixthis He neededhersmile notthebeamingonethatwasalittletoowideandalittletoofalse.Hewantedtheonethatmadehereyes glimmer.Hewantedthatlittlesidewaysgrinthattuggedonesideofherlipswhenshewastryingnottolaugh.Ortheonethat crinkledhernosewhenshewascacklingsohardshesnorted Therealsmiles TherealScarlett
Hecouldn’ttouchher.Couldn’thugher.Couldn’tstrokeherbackuntilthetensionleftherbody,becausetheywerefriends andtheydidn’thavethatkindofrelationship TheonlythinghecoulddowaspretendthathewasjustArcher,andshewasjust Scarlett,andnothingatallhadchangedtonight.
Hestraightenedandbusiedhimselfadjustinghiscufflinks “So,”hestarted “Howareyougoingtorepayme?” Scarlettstartledandrearedback.“Forwhat?”
“Forsavingyourlifeoutthere.”
“Getbent,Archer”Sherolledhereyesathim,butatleastshelookedlikeherselfagain
Hegrinned,eventhoughitstillfeltlikeshardsofglasswerechurninginhisgut.“Howaboutthis:yougivemeanicebunch offlowersandwecalliteven”
Suspicionenteredhergaze.“Whydoyouwantflowers?”
Heshrugged “It’smymom’sbirthdaytomorrow IliketoupstagemyyoungerbrotherinanywayIcan”Notthatitwould make a difference, butold habits died hard. He’d be expected to make anappearance athis parents’house, and he knew he couldn’tshowupempty-handed.Itwaseasiernottorocktheboat.
Another tendril of Scarlett’s scent teased Archer’s nose as she flicked her hair over her shoulder She mulled over his words as she adjusted her dress, thentouched the stone betweenher collarbones as ifto make sure itwas still there. She’d painted her nails to matchher makeup a sparklypeachypink Awomanwho paid attentionto details, who liked adorning herselfindelicate,beautifulthings.Nowondersheownedaflowershop. Finally,Scarlettshrugged.“Fine.Youcanpickthemuptomorrow.”
“Iparkedmytruckdowntown,”Archersaid.“Icouldgrabthemtonight,andwe’llbeeven.”He’dseeherhome,makesure shewasokay.
“Whatareyoutwodoing,hidingoverhere?”avoicecalledout.TheyturnedtoseeVicky,Cormac’smother,glidingdown thehallway.Shesmiled.“We’reabouttocutthecake.Iseverythingokay,Scarlett?”
Thatbright,brittlesmilemadeanotherappearanceonScarlett’slips “Everything’sgreat” “Yourspeechwasfabulous,”Vickytoldher,smiling,“buttobehonestwithyou,thatJimmyfellowdoesn’tseemlikehe’s worththehassle”
Scarlettsnorted.“ThisiswhyI’vegivenuponmen,Vicky.I’velearnedmylesson.Noneofthemare.”
Vicky glanced at Scarlett, then at Archer Her left eyebrow twitched a fraction of an inch She hummed but didn’t say anything,thenusheredthembothoutsidetorejointhefestivities.
Archer watched as Scarlett donned her mask, but he knew things between them had changed. Whether or not Scarlett realizeditwasanotherstory
THE AIR WAS CRISP, the scentofautumnheavyonthe breeze. Scarletttucked her scarfinto her pea coatand shoved her handsinherpockets.Besideher,Archerseemedimpervioustothecold.Hissuitjacketwasopen,hisstrideeasy. They’d seenLucyand Cormac off, thenhelped withthe cleanup atthe Barlows’place. Finally, feetaching, Scarletthad saidhergoodbyes.Archerhadappearedbyhersideandwalkedoutwithher,eventhoughshe’dtriedtoslipoutwhilehewas busyinanotherpartofthehouse
Despiteherself,astheirstepsfellintoarhythm,shewasgladhewasthere.TheywalkedbacktowardPushingDaisies,her flowershop,underthestreetlightsandmany-coloredleaves,aneasysilencesettlingbetweenthem
“Whatkindofflowersdoesyourmotherlike?”sheaskedastheyturnedacornertowardtheflorist’sshopthatScarletthad establishedfouryearsearlier,whenshe’dfirstmovedtoStirling.
Archerhummed.“Shelikespurple,”hesaid,soundingunsure.“Yougotanypurpleflowers?” Scarlett’slipstwitched.“Ihavepurpleflowers,yes.”
“Someofthosewouldbegood”
“I have violets and irises,” Scarlett said, liftingher head to inhale the freshscents inthe air. She loved fall, loved the coolness,thecolorsoftheleaves,thelastdregsofwarmthtobeenjoyedduringtheday “Ialsohavegorgeouscarnationsthat arewhitewithpurpleedges.Wecouldmixafewofthemwithwhiterosesorevenlilies.Iloveirisesandliliestogether.” Archernodded.“Sure.”
“YouhavenoideawhatI’mtalkingabout,doyou?” Heflashedheragrin.“Nonewhatsoever.”
Despiteherself,Scarletthuffeda laugh She still feltwobbly,butithelpedtobe inthe freshair And,thoughshe wasn’t surewhy,ithelpedtohaveArcherbyherside.Astheywalked,hisarmbrushedhers.Shewasn’tquiteasaloneasshe’dfelt earlier
“Are youclose withyour mom?” Scarlettasked,realizingshe didn’tknow muchaboutArcher atall.They’dbeeninthe samecircleoffriendsforyears,buttheyhadn’treallyspentmuchtimeone-on-one.Barringonenotableexception,ofcourse. Archerwassilentforamoment Inthedistance,anenginerevvedandtiressquealed Theybothglancedupintimetoseea silvercarspeedingthroughanintersectionacoupleofblocksahead.
“Somanymaniacsontheroad,”Archergrumbled,thenadded,“Toansweryourquestion,no,I’mnotthatclosewitheither ofmyparents.ButnomatterhowmanytimesIdisappointthem,Istillfindmyselfdancingtotheirtune.”
SurprisesplashedthroughScarlett,coolandbright,andsheglancedatthemanbesideher Hislipswerepinched,hisgaze faraway.“Howcouldtheybedisappointed?You’reoneofthemostsuccessfulcontractorsintown.”
ArcherownedJonesContracting,acompanyhe’dstartedinhismidtwenties.Sheknew hewasalwaysbusy,andthewait listtogethimtotakeonaprojectwasmonths-long Hewashandsome,successful,funny,charismatic howcouldanyone not beproudtohavehimasason?
“Myparentswantedmetogotocollege,”Archersaid,voicemoreclippedthanScarletthadeverheardit “Thatwasn’tin thecardsforme.Idon’tthinkthey’vereallyforgivenmeforit.”
“Ifit makes youfeel anybetter,” Scarlett said, “I’mstill payingoffmystudent loans frommypolitical science degree, whichIusedexactlyzerotimessinceIgraduated.Anddon’tevengetmestartedonmymaster’s.”
“Notworththeinvestment?”
“LasttimeIchecked,aninvestmentissupposedtomakeyoumoney.” Hislaughwasmoreofashort,sharpexhale.“How’dyougetintotheflowerbusiness?”
“Ihadajobatafloristincollege,part-time Workedallthroughundergradandmymaster’sdegree Thenwhenmyjobhunt post-graduationgotme nowhere, Itooka certificate infloristryto tide me over. Iliked workingatthe shop, and Ifigured I mightaswellupskill Thatledtomemanagingtheshopandtheneventuallystartingmyown” Archermethergaze,hisexpressionoddlyguarded.“Soyou’reoneofthosesmartpeople,huh?”
“Dependswhoyouask,”Scarlettanswereddrily Archer’s lips twitched. “It was similar for me. I apprenticed as a carpenter after I just scraped by with a high school diploma,thinkingI’dmakeabitofmoneywhileIfiguredoutmynextmove.Myparentswerepushingcollegehard,butIdidn’t havethegrades Therewasjustnoway I ”Hedriftedoff,grimacing “Anyway,IdiscoveredIlikedworkingwithmyhands, signedupfortradeschool,becameacarpenter,andeventuallygotmycontractor’slicenseandstartedworkingformyself.”
Scarlettsmiled “Youshouldbeproudofyourself,evenifotherpeopledon’trealizetheamazingthingyou’vedone” Theirfootstepsweretheonlysoundonthestreetbesidestherustlingoftheleaves.Thesilvercar’senginehadfadedinthe distance,andScarlett’snervessettledalittlebitmore She’doverreactedearlier Noonewaslookingather anydifferently Archerhadn’tmentionedJimmysincehe’dfollowedhertothepowderroom,andeveryonehadtoldherherspeechwasgreat. Everythingwouldbeokay.
TheyreachedthestreetwhereScarlett’sshopwasandturnedthecorner Archerclearedhisthroat.“Scarlett,Iknow,before,wesaid ”
He paused whenhe noticed Scarlett had stopped walking Scarlett barelynoticed his questioningglance, onlydistantly heard his words. Her eyes were onthe frontofher shop, onthe jagged petals ofbrokenglass marringher frontdoor. Heart hammering,shetriedtomakesenseofwhatshewasseeing.
Someonehadbrokenintohershop.Orhadtheyjustthrownarockatherwindow?Vandals?Somethingworse?
ThishadhappenedtoCamillaafewyearsback,andthey’ddiscoveredthatthelocalshadyloanshark,FrankieSmith,had been behind the vandalism But Scarlett hadn’t had any dealings with Smith, so it couldn’t be his fault her shop had been targeted.
PushingDaisieswasher sanctuary Itwastheonethingshe’dmanagedtodoright Itwastheonethingthatnoonecould takeawayfromher…orsoshethought.
Allthefeelingsshe’dexperiencedearliercamerushingback.Shedidn’tbelong.Nothingwouldevergoright.Shecouldn’t relyonanyoneelse,becausethingsalwaysendedindisaster.
Archerfinallyfollowedhergaze,shiftingtostandinfrontofScarlettlikehecouldshieldherfromathreat.
“Stayhere,”hesaid Infourlongstrides,hewasatherdoor
“Don’tgointhere,”shesaid,voicehoarse.“Whatifsomeone’sinside?”
Theblindscoveredthedoorandthefrontwindow Shealwaysclosedthemwhenshelockedtheshop,butsheregrettednot gettingoneofthoseexpandablesecuritycages.Ithadn’tseemednecessary;whatthiefwouldbetemptedbyafewflowersand somepettycash?
“Call the police,” Archer ordered, testingthe door Itwas unlocked The bottomofthe blinds clacked againstthe metal edgeofthedoor,andhefroze.
Theylistened,buttheshopwasdeathlysilent Scarlettcreptcloser,herheartbeatingsoharditfeltlikeasteadyhuminher chest.Herphonewasinherhands,butshehadn’tdialedthepoliceyet.Inthedistance,adogbarkingmadethembothstartle.
Archer gritted his teethand pulled the door open, stridinginside “Whoever’s inhere, show yourself The police are on the ”
ScarlettflickedthelightswitchasArcherspoke,andastheoverheadlightingcameon,theybothfrozewheretheystood. Archer’swordsdied,andScarlettcouldn’tmanageanythingmorethanasqueak
Thiswasnothowshe’dlefttheshopthatafternoon.Itwasn’tthetidy,smallspaceburstingwithlifeandbeauty.Thisspace heldevidenceofastruggle Itwasmessy,chaotic,violent
Thiswasthesceneofacrime.
Totheleft,theconsoletablewhereScarlettkeptherorchidshadbeenknockedasideandoverturned Theorchidslittered theground,withsoilstrewnalloverthefloor.Afewfootprintswerevisibleinthedirt.Mostofherorchidswouldn’tsurvive; Scarlettcould alreadytell. One ofthe buckets onthe far wall thatheld bunches ofcutflowers had beenoverturned, and the waterhadmixedwiththedirtfromtheorchidstoformamuddymessalongonesideoftheroom Butthat’snotwhatmadeherchestfeelhollowasadrum.
SprawledoutonthegroundinthemiddleofScarlett’sshopwasanoldladywithiron-grayhair Sheworeafloraltopand anavyskirt,andherlidswerehalf-closed.Shewasutterlystill.Herpursehadslippedoffhershoulderandfallenopenather side,atubeoflipstickrestingjustoutsidetheflap.Shewaspartiallyonherside,asifshe’dfallensidewaysandslumpedback inatwist.
Aroundtheelderlywoman’sheadwasapoolofliquidthatlookednearlyblackinthecenterbutlightenedtovividrednear
theedges.Soilfromtheorchidshadsoakedintoonesideofthepuddle.Scarlettdidn’thavetogetanyclosertoknowthatthe liquidwasblood,andthewomanwasdead.
Herheartthumped,anditfeltlikethegreattollingofabell Ittooklongmomentstotakeinthescene,tomakesenseofit,to recognize that it was real. The smell was what did it: rich floral notes, turned earth, and the metallic tang of blood. Her sanctuaryhadbeenviolated
Archersuckedinabreath,andScarlettcamebacktoherself,stomachtwistingitselfintoaknot.Hestoodfrozeninfrontof her,hisarmsouttostopScarlettfromenteringthespace She’dtakeninthewholescenestaringoverhisoutstretchedarm An awful,finalsilenceblanketedtheroom.
ThenArcher’s armshifted,andhepointedtoapieceofmetal Scarletthadn’tnoticedatfirstglance.Itwas brightsilver, half-shovedunderthetablenearthewindowthatheldhersucculents Itlookedlikeatoolofsomesort,withabitofbluetape wrappedaroundtheend.Intheshadowsbeneaththetable,shethoughtshecouldseeadarksplatteronitsotherend.
“That,”Archersaidinalow,tremblingvoice,“ismywrench” Scarlettblinked.“What?”
“Andthat,”hecontinued,shiftingtopointatthewoman,“isEthelBrown”
FOUR
ETHEL BROWN WAS INDEED DEAD, andScarlett’sshopwasacrimescene.
As soon as the police arrived, things moved quickly. Officers secured the scene by taping off the shop and placing an officeratthefrontentrancewithaclipboardtotrackpeoplemovinginandout.
The countysheriffhad to be called into provide crime scene technicians and support. Theyparked near the scene, eyes scanningthecrowdthatassembledtowatchthegoings-on
And the crowd was growing. The bloodhounds ofStirlinghad sniffed outa bitofjuicygossip, and theywere gathering outsidetheshopwithalarmingspeed
ThiswouldbebiggerthantheattemptedtheftatLeo’scompanyretreat,biggerthanCamilla’sbakerybeingtargeted,even biggerthanLucy’scarblowingup.
AclumpofolderladiessharedhotteainaThermosmugonthefarendofthepolicetape.Oneofthempulledoutapackof cookies to share. A block away, the door to Bussy’s, the local bar, flew open, and a veritable stampede of people came barrelingdowntowardthelocalentertainment
Scarlettwatchedblankly,mindreeling.
Ethel Brownhad died inside her store, amidstthe perfume ofScarlett’s flowers and the richsoil ofher potted plants It almostdidn’tmakesense.Whywasshedead?HowdidsheenduponScarlett’sshopfloor?
The elderlywomanhad become notorious inStirling, firstas the leader ofa ringofthieves thathad operated under the radar for years Her sister, Meredith, had been arrested just over three years earlier for attempting to steal a vivid pink diamondengagementringfromFredGoodhew,awealthylocalbusinessowner.
Thenonlyafewmonthslater,anotheroneofEthel’sassociates her“grandson,”whoturnedouttonotberelatedtoherat all hadbeencaughttryingtostealaprecious,bejeweledcaketopperfromGoodhew’sweddingcelebration.Thatwasaround thetimeCamillahadbeendealingwithherbakerybeingtargetedbyalocalloansharkwithagrudge
ThingswentquietwhenMarloncaughtthebadguysandsavedCamilla,andithadseemedlikeeverythingwouldbeokay. NoonehadseenorheardfromEthelsinceshefirstran.Thegossipdieddown,asitwasboundtodo,eveninasmalltown.
Ithad seemed like a distantmemory, until Ethel had reappeared whenLucyand Cormac had discovered a counterfeiting operationrightintheheartofStirling.CormachadcaughtEthel,theringleader,buthe’dhadtomakeadecision:bringtheold womanintothepolice,orfindoutwhereEthel’ssonhadtakenLucy He’dchosenLucy,andEthelhadgottenaway Again The town was awash with gossip; Ethel’s gang provided endless fodder for the townspeople to dissect over the weeks that followed
Thathadbeenalittleover ayear earlier.Despitethepolice’s efforts,thevicious elderlywomanhadn’tbeenfound,and theyhadn’tbeenabletofigureoutwhowasbuyingallthefakecashEthelhadbeenmanufacturing.Scarlettknewthetownwas stillawashwithcounterfeitbills;she’dhadtorefuseseveraloftheminherownstore
NowtheshadowofEthelBrowndarkenedStirlingevenindeath.Itwastoomuch.Scarlett’sheadswam.She’dmovedto this picturesque townbecause it was famous for weddings, not crime How muchmore rot would theyexpose? How long wouldittaketocutitalloutandfinallyheal?
Andmoreimportantly whyhadEthelBrownbeeninsideScarlett’sshop?
She watched the county crime scene techs don their suits, booties, and gloves before they entered Pushing Daisies, Archer’sarmtightaroundhershoulders.Itseemedsurreal.Itwouldbealongnight.
Ontheothersideofthetape,thelocalleaddetective,RickHolden,conferredwiththecountyworkers.Heglancedoverat ScarlettandArcher,andthelookinhiseyesdidn’tsettleScarlett’snervesonebit.Aminutelater,theywereledtoopposite sidesofthestreetsotheycouldbequestioned
Scarlettdid her bestto give offanair ofinnocence, butshe was tired, and ithad beena longday. She looked into the incisiveeyesofDetectiveHolden,whorubbedhismustacheashestudiedher “AndyouwereattheBarlows’placeallday?”
“Fromaboutnoononward,”sheconfirmed “Webothwere” “Howdidthewrenchendupinsidetheshop?”
“Idon’tknow,”shesaidforthethirdorfourthtime.Whydidhekeepaskingherthesamequestions?Didhethinkshewas lying?“WewalkedovertoArcher’struckafterwecalled9-1-1andfoundthetoolboxinthebedunlockedandopen Archer said he mighthave forgottento lockit, buthe couldn’tremember. Iwas alreadyatthe Barlows’place whenhe parked here earliertoday”
The detective hummed and stroked his mustache some more. Scarlett tried her best not to fidget. She glanced over at Archer, who was talkingto a different police officer, runninghis hands throughhis hair over and over and over again He lookedstressed.Shecouldn’tblamehim.Shedidn’tlikethelookinthedetective’seyes,orthewayhekeptaskingthesame questionsinslightlydifferentways,likehewastryingtotripherup.
“Walkmethroughwhathappenedwhenyouarrivedhere,”hesaid RickHoldenwasatall,sparemanwho’donlybeenthe leaddetectiveinStirlingforalittleoverayear.Hishairwasstreakedwithafewstrandsofgray,andhiseyeswereshrewd. Scarlettwishedhe’dstoplookingatherlikehecouldreadherthoughts
Thedetectivenoddedassheansweredhisquestion,jottingdownnotesinhistinynotepad.“Andwhattimedidyousayyou wenttotheBarlows’?”
Scarletthuffed.“Aroundnoon.I’vetoldyouthis.”
“Anythingelseyoucanremember?”
“Therewasacar,”shesaidsuddenly Thedetectivewaited.
“WhenwewereheadingtopickuptheflowersforArcher’smom Aboutthreeblocksback,Ilookedupandsawasilver car speeding through this intersection right here, going that way.” She pointed down the street, which ran east toward the freewaythatledoutoftown.
DetectiveHoldenmadeanote.“Silver,yousaid?Makeandmodel?”
“Itwastoofartotell.Ijustheardthesquealoftiresandthensawitspeedingacross.Asedan,Ithink.Inoticeditbecause otherwiseeverythingwasquiet”
“Anythingelseyoucanremember?”
“No” Scarlettstudied the brokenglass door thatwas propped opento allow the coroner and officers and detectives to access the scene. “She was…” She shifted her gaze to the detective who continued to watchher withnarrowed eyes. “She was…murdered?”Thelastwordcameoutasawhisper.
Detective Holden’s shoulders dropped Somethinglike sympathyenteredhis gaze,andsome ofthe tightness inScarlett’s stomacheased.Henodded,andwhenhespoke,his voicewas softer.“Itlooks thatway.We’ll needaformal statementfrom you,Scarlett Canyoucomebythestationtomorrowmorning?”
“Okay,”shesaid,thenshewatchedhimwalkaway.
Not long after, Archer approached His mouth was bracketed with deep lines, and his gaze was troubled Without preamble,hetoldher,“TheythinkIdidit.”
“Don’tberidiculous,”Scarlettansweredbriskly.“Youwereattheweddingallday.Thereareaboutfiftypeoplewhocan confirmthat”
“ButhowdoIexplainthewrench?Andtheyestimatethetimeofdeathtoberightaroundthetimewewerewalkinghere.I heardthecoronerthroughthedoor”
Scarlett’sbreathsspedup.Iftheythoughthedidit,theymustthinkScarlettwasinvolvedtoo.Sheshookherhead.“They can’tthinkthat It’scrazy”
“Ifitwasn’tus,someonewasinyourshoponlyminutesbeforewegotthere.” Scarlettthoughtofthesilvercar.Hadthatbeenthemurdererspeedingaway?
“Sothat’swhatmusthavehappened,”sheinsisted “Someonestolethewrenchoutofyourtruck,Archer That’sthetruth Right?”
Hepinchedhislipsandnodded “Ihadtostopatajobonmywaytothewedding Alast-minutesnagIhadtofix Iwasina rush,andIcouldhaveeasilyforgottentolockit.Noonestealsanythinginthistown.”
“Usually,”Scarlettadded.
Grim-faced,Archer nodded.Theybothturnedtowatchthepoliceworkaroundthecrimescene.Lightsblazedinsideand out, and a number ofcurious onlookers were gathering. The gossip was probablyall over townalready. Scarlett’s business
wouldbearablackmarkforever.
ThiswastheworstdayofScarlett’slife.Shewouldgladlylistentowerewolfsexinfrontofanauditoriumfullofpeople wearingnothingbutherunderwearifitmeanttheoldladywasfounddeadsomewhereelse
“HowdidEthelBrownendupinmyshop?”Scarlettsaid,shakingherhead.“Itmakesnosense.”
“Shemusthavebrokeninforsomereason”
“Butwhy?Idon’tevenkeepalotofcashinthestore.Ifshewastryingtorobme,shewouldn’thavegottenmuch.” “Maybeshewantedabunchofflowers,”Archersaid,wry Scarlettsnorted.“Right.”
“What’s goingonhere?” a new voice asked.ScarlettandArcher turnedtosee Mr.Petrovski shufflingtowardthe police tape Theoldmanwasslightlyhunched,leaningonacarvedwoodencane Thetopofhisheadwasentirelybald,witharingof snow-whitehairclingingtothesides.Hesquintedatthebrokenglassandtheofficersinwhitehazmatsuitscominginandout oftheshop
“Hi,Mr.Petrovski,”Scarlettsaid,joininghimatthetape.Shesighed.Shemightaswelltellhimwhatwasgoingon;he’d findoutanyway “TheyfoundEthelBrowninside OryoumightknowherasMrs Gordon,youroldneighbor”
“Thathag?”Heturned,surprised.“What’sshedoinginthere?”
“Well,”Scarlettsaid,grimacing,“she’sdead.”
The old manreared backslightly, thenswunghis gaze backto studythe front of PushingDaisies Thenhe nodded and simplysaid,“Goodriddance,”andturnedtoshuffleofftowardhishome.
“Dead, yousaid?” a womanmurmured onScarlett’s other side Itwas Martha, one ofthe checkoutladies atthe grocery store.Waseveryoneintownoutforaneveningwalktonight?Wastheresomekindofbatsignalflashingintheskytotellthem alltherewassomethingofinteresthappeningdowntown?
Stupidquestion.Ofcoursetherewas.
“Dead,”Scarlettconfirmed.
“Martha,darling,wouldyoulikesometea?”oneoftheladiesontheoppositesideofthetaped-offareacalledout “I’vegotgingercrinklecookies!”herfriendadded.
MarthasqueezedScarlett’sforearmandtoddledovertowardthem “Whatwas she doinginthere?” a third personsaid, hoppingup the curb to jointhe onlookers atthe police tape. Itwas Chet, the sadistic personal trainer who rana thrice weeklybootcamp Scarlettand her friends attended. Despite the cold, he waswearingoneofthosetanktopsthatdippeddownnearlytohishipstoshowoffallthemusclesonhisribs(which…existed, apparently.Scarlettcertainlydidn’thaveanymusclesthere).“Didshebreakyourwindow?”
Scarlettshrugged “Idon’tknow Maybe Wejustturnedthecornerandsawit”
Therewasaphotographerjoggingtowardhershopnow,withoneofthelocalnewsanchorsclosebehind.Scarlettflipped herjacket’scollarupandsankherchinintoherchest Iftherewaseveratimeforaninvisibilitycloak,nowwouldbeagood one.
Behindher,acarturnedontothestreet.Itwassleek,black,andexpensive.Athinwhitepinstripelinedthecurvingsideof thecar,streetlightsglintingonitsdarkwindows ItslowedasitpassedbehindScarlett,thepeoplebehinditstintedwindows nodoubthavingagoodlookattheaction,andthenspedoff.Scarlettwatcheditgo,heartsinkingalittlebitmore.
Therewasnohidingthisdrama ThegoodpeopleofStirlingcouldsmellbloodinthewater or,rather,intheflowershop and they were coming out to investigate. Her fresh start was wilting before her eyes. It was just like her speech: more evidencethatshedidn’tbelonghere Shewonderedifanyonewouldwanttobuyflowersfromheragain
Withtheweddingseasonwindingdownandwinterblowingonthechillwind,Scarlettknewtherewereleanmonthsahead. Wouldherbusinesssurviveuntilspring?WouldsheevenmakeittoValentine’sDay?
Ahand slid over her lower back Archer’s He curled his armaround her waistand murmured, “Letme take youhome, Scarlett.You’reshivering.”
Suddenly,exhaustionhitScarlettlikeapunch ShenoddedandallowedArchertoleadherawayfromthegrowingcrowd Justbeforetheyturnedthecorner,Scarlettglancedbackintimetoseeablackbodybagbeingcarriedouttheshop’sdoor.The photographer’scameraflashedcontinuously,andthenewsanchorclamoredtogetthedetective’sattention Amomentlater,the blackbagthatcontainedEthelBrownhaddisappearedinthecoroner’svan.Thevehicle’sbackdoorsslammed,andthenoise echoedinthestreet.
ScarlettglancedatArcher,whosefacewasgrim
“Let’sgo,”hesaid,andheguidedheraroundthecornerandoutofsightofthecuriouscrowd.
Whenherhomecameintoviewashortwhilelater,Scarlettnearlyweptwithjoy Shelivedinasmall,singlestory,threebed,one-bathhomethathadbeenbuiltinthepost-warera.ItwasaCapeCod-stylecottage,withasteeplypitchedroofanda chimneythatwasjustoff-center.Thehousewascladintimbershinglesthathadsilveredovertheyears,withwine-redshutters framingthesymmetricalwindowsoneithersideofthefrontdoor.
Therewasnofrontporch,justapathofstonepaversleadingfromthesidewalktothefrontdoor.Scarlettsighedasherkey
slidintothelock,hershouldersdroppinganinchinrelief.Homeatlast.
Glancingatthemanwaitingpatientlybehindher,Scarletthadawobble.Itwasjustamoment andinstant,really when all the reasons she shouldn’tinvite Archer inseemed sillyand inconsequential He stood there, golden-brownhair touched withsilverinthemoonlight,hisgrayeyesfullofcareandconcern,andScarlettwantedhim.
Shewantedhiminadangerousway Dangeroustoherself,toherhealth,toherheart Shewantedtoloseherselfinhisarms the wayshe had after Camilla’s wedding. She wanted to have those coarse, calloused hands onher thighs, onher breasts, wantedhisteethsinkingintoher shoulder Shewantedtoseejusthow goodhisbodylookedunder thoseclothesheworeso well.
Shewantedhiminsideher.
Archer wasthelastmanwhohadtouchedher Shehadn’ttoldanyonethatlittletidbit certainlynothim All her friends thoughtshewasasexuallyliberatedwomanwhowasn’tafraidofcasualencountersthatscratchedtheinevitableitch.Andfor alongtime,itwastrue Afterherexhadleftwithoutawordoverfiveyearsago,Scarletthadfallenintothearmsofmanymen, tryingtofindthemissingpieceofherself.
Andayearandahalfago,she’ddonethesamewithArcher Hewasagoodkisser.Sherememberedtheelectricfeelingthatcoursedthroughherwhenhistonguestrokedagainsthers. Sherememberedthepulsingneedthathadmadeherfeellikeshewasflying orfalling.
He’dkissedherlikehewasdesperateforher,butwhenhe’dslidhishanduptheinsideofherthigh,Scarletthadrealized whatamonumentalmistakethey’dbeenabouttomake.
Becausehishandfelt good onherinnerthigh Itwouldhavefeltevenbetterifhe’dpushedherpantiesasideandtookwhat hewanted.Whattheybothwanted.
Thatwouldhaveeasedtheacheinsideher temporarily.
In the years that had passed since her previous relationship fell apart, Scarlett had become well acquainted with the pleasuresoftheflesh.ItwouldhavebeeneasytoreachthatpeakwithArcher…butthenwhat?
Themenshe’dsleptwithhadn’tstuckaround Shehadn’twantedthemto Andinthefewinstanceswheretheremighthave beenathreadofconnectionbeyondthephysical,itsnappedassoonasScarlettaskedforsomethingmorethanjustsex.
Inthose panting,needymoments atthe backofCamilla’s wedding,Scarletthadseenthe future She’dseenherselfsleep withArcher,enjoyit,thenfeelemptierthanshehadbefore.ButitwouldbeworsethansleepingwithsomeonelikeJimmyfrom the gas stationor one of the menshe’d met onthe various datingapps, because she’d see Archer everyweek. Sometimes multipletimesaweek.
He’dbeaconstantreminderthatScarlettcouldn’thaveanythingdeeperthansexwhenitcametomen.Andbeforeheeven touchedherwheresheneededitmost,Scarlettrealizednoorgasmwasworththatkindoftorture
Soshe’dpushedhimaway.Archerhadblinkedandevidentlycometothesameconclusion.They’dleftongoodterms.
Andnow,standingonherowndoorstep,Scarlettstillbelievedthatshe’dbeenrighttothrowawallupbetweenthem His friendship andthefriendshipoftheentiregroup wasworthmorethanameaslyorgasmortwo.
But it had been a long day. She’d felt bone-deep embarrassment and had to play it off. She’d seen a dead body. Her businesshadbeendesecrated
Shewantedcomfort.Shewantedsomeoneto care.
Ahotnightwithanattractivemanwouldn’tbetheworstthing wouldit?
Archer watched her like he could read everythought. Leaves rustled inthe cool breeze, a few ofthemfallingdownas autumnrain Theairsmelledofwoodsmoke;someonehadlitafireintheirfireplace Twowords.That’sallthatwouldberequired. Come in,shecouldsay,andhewould. Slowly,Archerreachedforher.Hetookherhandwhereitdangledatherside,strokinghisthumboverherknuckles.His touchwasachinglygentle,causingheattobloomalloverherbody
Sheclosedhereyes,thefeelofhisroughskinagainstherhandblankingouteveryothersensation.Herlipspartedandher kneeswentsoft
Butas she opened her eyes again, Archer dropped her palmand tooka step back. Whenhe spoke, his voice was rough. “Getsomesleep,Scarlett We’lltalktomorrow”
Shenodded,throattight grateful,angry,confused thenlockedherselfinsideherhouseandletoutashudderingbreath.
SCARLETT WOKE uptoanovercastskyandanachebetweenherlegs.Sherolledontohersideandstaredoutthewindow, ignoringwhatwashappeninginherbody.Abirdhoppedonabranchoutside,callingouttoitsmate.Itwouldleaveforwinter soon.Theleavesflutteredinthebreeze,twoorthreedetachingtofluttertotheground.Scarlettsnuggledunderherplushdown duvet,cozy,warm,andhorny.
Thelastseventeenmonthshadbeenmostlyfreeoflust,whichhadbeenarelief She’dtendedtoherownneedswhenever theyarose,andthathadbeenthat.Shehadn’tthoughtofaman’stouch.
Nowshecouldthinkofnothingelse
The bird flapped away, and the branchbowed and swayed under the weightofthe creature’s takeoff. Scarlettreminded herselfofallthereasonsshecouldn’tbewithArcher.
First,they’dgonethereonceanddecidedtostop.Thatwasreasonenoughnottopursueanythingelse.Whytreadoverold ground?
Second, theywere friends Their friends were friends Their lives were alreadyentangled, and those relationships were precioustoScarlett.Ifshepoisonedthatparticularwell,she’dhavenothing.Nofamily,nofriends,nopartner,andabusiness thatwouldsoonbenotoriousforbeingthesceneofagrislymurder
Finally, and maybe most importantly, Scarlett didn’t want sex. Or, rather, she didn’t only want sex; she wanted companionship.Shewantedamantolookather thewayLeolookedatAmelia,andMarlonlookedatCamilla,andCormac lookedatLucy: likeshewas his entireworld Likeall her littlequirks andimperfectionswerethemostfascinating,lovable thingabouther.Shewantedamantoknowher,deepdown,allthewaytotheverycoreofher,andshewantedhimtoloveher notdespitewhathefoundthere,butbecauseofit
Archerwouldn’tgiveherthat.Hehadawicked,teasingsparkleinhiseye,andhewouldbefun,buthewouldn’tloveher thewayshewanted Besides,she’dalreadytriedtoscrew her waytofeelingwhole,andithadn’tworked Shewouldn’tgo downthatpathagain,evenforacharming,attractive,successful,funnymanwholookedatherlikeheknewexactlywhereher buttonswereandhowtopushthem.
So Shecouldn’tbewithhim Thatmuchwascertain
Her conclusion might have been firm, but it didn’t relieve the hunger inside her. She’d have to use her hand and her imaginationforthat Sherolledontoherback,forgotaboutthetreesandthebirdsandthegrayskies,andthoughtofArcher
Inaninstant,shewasbackinthathallwayatCamilla’swedding,butthistimeshedidn’tstillhishandwhenitslidupher thigh Instead,shespreadherselfopenforhim Shebeggedhimtotakeherrightthere,justlikethat,whereanyonecouldwalk overandinterrupt.Andhedid,justthewaysheneeded.Hepantedhotbreathsacrossherearwhilesheclawedathim,wetand hotandhis.Pleasuresplinteredthroughher.
When Scarlett came back to herself, there was a sheen of sweat all over her body She let out a sigh, her thighs still twitching slightly, knowing she’d only made life worse for herself. She was feeding the beast when she should have been starvingit
Sheshould’veimaginedMagnusthewerewolfinstead.
Throwingthecoversaside,sheduckedoutofherbedroomandintothehome’ssinglebathroom.Ithadtinyblack-and-white tilesonthefloor,anoldtubwithawhiteshowercurtain,andavanityunitthathadbeeninstalledsometimeinthepastdecade. Itdidn’tmatchtherestofthefittings apedestal sinkhadprobablybeentheoriginal fixture butthestoragewas definitely
welcome.
Whenshewasclean,Scarlettwipedthesteamfromthemirrorandstaredatherself.Nowthatshe’dtakencareofhermost pressingneeds,yesterday’seventsbegantorunonaloopinherhead: theembarrassmentofherspeech,thelookinArcher’s eyeswhenhecametofindherinthepowderroom,thepeacefulwalktotheflowershop,thebodyonthefloor.Theblood.The orchids Thesmell
Nomatterhowmanytimesshetriedtomakesenseofwhathappened,shefailed.Shewrappedherselfinherfavoritesatin robe andwanderedtothe kitchen a bright,sunnyspace thathadmade her fall inlove withthe home wonderingwhatthe detectivewouldsaytoherwhenshewenttothestation.Handswrappedaroundamugofcoffee,Scarlettstaredoutthekitchen windowtoherbackyard,seeingnothing.
Theringingofher phonemadeher jump Settingthemugdown,shepickedupher phoneandsaw Camilla’snameonthe screen.
Herfirstinstinctwastoignorethecall
After everything that happened, why would anyone want to be Scarlett’s friend? Her life was just one long slog that sometimesspiraledoutofcontrol ItwouldbeeasierforScarletttocutandrunbeforeyetanotherpersoncouldabandonher
Thecallendedbeforeshecouldbringherselftoanswerit andherphoneimmediatelybegantoringoncemore.Camilla again.
Huffing,Scarlettanswered “Hi”
“Cometothebakery,”Camillacommanded.“Iwanttofeedyou.”
Thebakerywouldbefullofpeoplewhohadeyesthatthey’dusetostareather Theywouldwanttoknoweverythingthat happened.She’dhavetoputonhermaskandpretendshewasn’tdyinginside.
“Ialreadyhadbreakfast.”
“Butdidyouhave a fresh-bakedcroissantwithhomemade jam? Didyouhave a cinnamonbunthat’s still warmfromthe oven?Didyouhaveaperfectlyflakydanishwithacrispy-sweetgarnishofperfectlycaramelizedpecans?”
Scarlett couldn’t help the smile curlingher lips “No” Her smile faded “Is everyone talkingabout the the murder? I don’tknowifIcanfacethat.”
“Theyare,”Camillaadmitted,“butiftheybotheryou,I’llbeatthembackwitharollingpin Cometothebakery,Scarlett Letmegiveyouahugandatreat.AmeliaandLucyareherealready.Lucy’stellingusabouthernewcat.”
Itwastempting.HowlonghadScarlettwantedahome,afamily?Howmanytimeshadshewishedshehadexactlythis peoplewhocaredenoughtocheckin?
Was itpossible thatdespite whathadhappenedthe daybefore,these people still wantedher intheir lives? After all the rejection Scarlett had experienced, it was hard to believe that she wasn’t on the cusp of being abandoned again Hard to believeherfriendsactuallywantedtokeepheraround.
Butshehadanappointment
“Ican’t,”Scarlettfinallysaidwithasigh.“I’msupposedtogotalktoDetectiveHoldentogiveastatementthismorning.” “Ugh.Fine.We’llwait,butdon’ttaketoolong.”
The thought ofCamilla waitingfor her gave Scarlett courage; she might as well go give her statement and thenreward herselfwithwaytoomanypastriesafterward.
Theyhungup,andScarlettbusiedherselfgettingready Sheblow-driedherhair,didherskincareandmakeuproutines,then chose a cute,fall-appropriate outfit.She wore darkjeans thathuggedher curves alongwitha blacklacycamisole under her favoriteoversizedcardigan Fallmeantlayers,andlayerswerewonderful
Shealwaysworehergrandmother’samethystnecklace theonlyitemshehadthatprovedshe’dhadfamilysomewhere,at some point buttodayshe’d added two other delicate gold chains and a pair ofchunkygold hoop earrings. Her armor was made ofbeautiful things Feelingprettywouldn’t stop a bullet, but it did make it easier for Scarlett to face the world She slippedherfeetintoblackanklebootsandputherpeacoaton.
Drapingher scarfover her neck, she leftthe jacketand scarfopenuntil she could tell how cold itwas outside, and she openedthedoor.
Archer stood on her stoop, his finger extended toward the doorbell In his other hand, he carried two coffees from Camilla’sbakery.
Theybothfroze.
Archer blinked,his gaze flittingfromher eyes toher lips toher throat Thenhis gaze continuedall the waydowntoher blackbooties,lingeringatherhipsonthewaydownandonthewaybackupagain.Hesuckedinaquickbreath,gulped,met hergaze,andliftedthetray “Broughtyouanoatmilklatte Camillasaidthatwasyourusual”
“Thankyou.Shecalledmealittlewhileagoanddidn’tmentionanythingaboutacoffeedelivery,”Scarlettsaid,accepting thedrinkwithanod.
“I’msupposedtobringyoutothebakerywhenwe’redoneatthestation,”Archergrinned,lookingedible.
Alittle zip of heat went throughScarlett’s stomach, whichwas not good. Could he tell what she’d beenimaginingthis
morning?Wasitwrittenalloverherface?
Oh,God.Hercheeksweretingling.Shewasblushing.
Butthisnew awarenessofArcher wasn’tonlyphysical Somethingwasshiftingbetweenthem,andshewasn’tquitesure why.
Maybeitwasthewayhe’dcheckeduponherafterthespeech orhowhe’dnoticedthatshewasupsetinthefirstplace Peopleweren’tnormallyabletoseepastthemasksshewore;she’dgottengoodatputtingonabraveface.
Andafter Archer hadcheckedonher,he’dstayedbyher sideuntil he knew shewas home safe Ithadbeena long,long timesinceamanhadshownthatkindofcareforher,withoutanyexpectationsinreturn.Itmadeherfeelslightlypathetictobe soaffectedbyit.
Andtoday,withachillintheairbringingrednesstohischeeks,hishairinperfectdisarray,andthatflirtysmilecurlinghis lips,Scarlettfoundherselfwantingtoburrowintothewarmthofhisarmsandlettherestoftheworldfallaway.
But if she did that, she crossed a line If she crossed that line, Archer would eventuallyget bored and leave Not only wouldthatbedisastrousforScarlett’sheartandmindandsoul,butitwouldalsocauseariftintheirfriendgroup.Scarlett’s friendsweretheonethingholdinghertogether;Camilla’sphonecallwastheonlyremindersheneeded
Scarlettlockedherfrontdoorandfollowedhimdownthepave-stonepaththatbisectedherfrontlawn.Herbootsclicked onthe stone pavers,the coffee warminher hand.Theyfell intosteptogether andturnedinthe directionofthe townsquare, wherethepolicestationwaslocated “Howdidyousleep?”Archerasked.
Scarlettletoutalongbreath “Notgreat” “Same.”
Shepinchedherlipsandtriedtosmileathim.“AnyepiphaniesaboutEthelBrown?”
“None so far.” His eyes glimmered as he smiled ather again, and another thrill ranthroughScarlett’s gut. ThenArcher curledhisfingersaroundherelbowtoguideheraroundapuddleonthesidewalk,andthethrillbecamemoreviolent.Italmost became a throb The man had his fingers pressed into her jacket- and cardigan-clad elbow, and that was enough to make Scarlett’sthighstremble.
Shedefinitelyshould’veimaginedMagnus
He dropped his arm and drank his coffee once they’d cleared the puddle, oblivious to the explosions happening in Scarlett’snetherregions.Themanwasmadeofmuscleandcharisma.Itwasprobablyautomatictodoagentlemanlythinglike makesureshedidn’tstepinapuddleofdirtywater.Itdidn’tmeananything.
“How do youfeel aboutgoingto give a statementtoday?” Archer asked, and, yep confirmed. Scarlett’s nether regions hadn’tbeenonhismindatall
How did shefeel?Shetookasipofherdrinkwhileshetriedtodecide.Shewassonervousshewantedtopuke,forone. ShewasstillreelingfromthesightofEthelonhershopfloorthenightbefore ShewasdisproportionatelyrelievedthatArcher wasbesideher.Noneofthoseoptionsseemedquiteappropriatetosay,soshesettledon,“Ithinkifwetellthetruth,everything willbeokay.”
Archerhummed
“YouthinkIsoundnaive?”
“Ijusthopeyou’reright,”hereplied
Shedidn’thavethechancetorespond,however,becauseacarscreechedtoastopnexttothem.Archerthrewouthisarm to catchScarlettaround the stomachand shove her behind him, thenletouta harshcurse His shoulders were broader than she’drealized.Shehadtotakeafullstepsidewaystobeabletoseewhowasinthecar.
Thewindowrolleddown.“Mom’smadyouhaven’tcalled,”anasallyvoicesaidamomentbeforeamanleanedacrossthe passengerseat ThemanappearedtobeafewyearsyoungerthanScarlett,withhairthatwasprobablywhite-blondinyouthbut haddarkenedtodirtygold.His lips were thin,curledina knowingsmirk.He haddarksunglasses on,whichhe loweredan inchtostareatScarlettforasecondbeforeswinginghisgazetoArcher “Didyouforget?” Archerbristled.“Ofcoursenot.It’snotevennineo’clockinthemorning.”
“It’sherbirthday,”theothermansaid,thennoddedatScarlett “ShetheonewhohelpedyoukillEthelBrown?” “Wedidn’tkillEthelBrown,Ryan.”
“That’snotwhatIheard,”Ryansaid,thenthewindowwentupandthecarzoomedoff.
“Great Everyone thinks we did it,” Scarlett mumbled, glancing at Archer His jaw was tight as he watched the car disappeararoundacorner,hisshouldershikedupnearhisears.Whenhefinallymethergaze,Scarlettsaid,“Yourbrother?”
“Thelittleshit,”Archerconfirmed
“Inevergotyouthoseflowersforyourmom’sbirthday,”Scarlettsaid,“andnowIcan’tgetintheshopuntilthepoliceare donewiththecrimescene.”
“Don’tworryaboutthe flowers,” Archer grumbled. “Theywouldn’tmake a difference, anyway. Ryan’s always beenthe favorite.”
“Youwanttocallher?Idon’tmindwaiting.”
Some kind of deep existential crisis happened withinArcher, and thenhe sighed. “Fine.” He pulled out his phone and tappeditafewtimesbeforeputtingittohisear “Happybirthday,Mom”
Scarletttooka few steps awayto give himsome semblance ofprivacy, sippingher coffee, watchinga womantryingto wranglehertoddlerwhowashell-bentonclimbingawrought-ironfenceseparatinghimfromapondfullofducksontheother side.Thetoddlerwaswinning.
“Ididn’tforget,Mom Ijustgotup,andIwasgoingtoheadoverrightafterIwenttothepolicestationtogiveastatement” Alongpausefollowed.
ScarlettglancedbacktoseeArcher withhis headtiltedback,eyes closed,total exasperationwrittenineverylineofhis body Hisphonedangledfromhishandathisside,andawoman’svoiceblaredfromit Hebroughtthephonebackuptohis ear,listenedforamoment,thensaid,“Okay.I’llseeyouthisafternoon.Happybirthday.”
After he hungup, Archer stood staringathis phone screenfor a longmoment For a manwho had aneasysmile and an addictivecharm,helookedremarkablyupset.Someold,oldhurtwascarvedintohisfeatures,andthesightofitmadeScarlett acheforhim
Therewerelayerstothismanthatsheneverwould’veguessedexisted.She’dthoughthewaslikeherex,likeallthemen that had come and gone in her life: a bit of a playboy, a bit selfish, mostly out for himself. She’d judged him, and it was uncomfortable to thinkthatmaybe she’d had itall wrong Whatifhe was one ofthe mythical good ones, butshe’d losther chanceateverhavinghim?
Shewastheonewhohadpushedhimaway,afterall “Archer?”
Hecamebacktohimself,facingherwithasmall,forcedsmileonhislips.“Readytokeepgoing?”
“Ifyouneedtoheadovertoyourparents’place,Icanmakemyownwaytothestation.”
Hissmilebecameabitmoregenuine,andalittlewryaroundtheedges.“Scarlett,ifthere’sachoicebetweenspendingan hour withyouor spendinganhour grovelingtomymother aboutsomeperceivedslight,I’mgoingtochooseyoueverytime Evenifwe’regoingtobeinterrogatedformurder.”
“I’mflattered,”shesaid,hervoicedeadpanwhilebutterfliesriotedinherstomach “Holdon,”hesaid,placinghishandonhermidbackastheystartedwalkingagain.Shecouldfeelthepressureofitthrough allherlayers.“Letmerephrasethat:ifthere’sachoicebetweenspendinganhourwithyouorspendinganhourdoingliterally anythingelse,I’mgoingtochooseyoueverytime.”
Thatmadeherlaugh,evenifitwasablatantlie.
Bythetimetheymadeittothestation,Scarlett’sstomachwasahardball Shetossedtheemptycoffeecupintoagarbage canneartheentrance,thensmoothedhersweatypalmsoverherwooljacket.
Thepolicedepartmentsharedabuildingwiththetowncouncil Itwasabrickstructurewithdecorativeoff-whitecornices, statelyandimposing.Thewindowswerelarge,darkeyesstaringdownatthetwoofthemaccusingly.Scarletttriedtoremind herselfthatthebuildingwasn’tsentient,butshecouldn’tshakethefeelingofbeingwatched.
Theyentered together and walked up to the uniformed officer atthe frontdesk Notlongafter, theywere led to separate rooms.Scarlettsatonherownforwhatseemedlikeaneternitybutwasprobablyonlyhalfanhourorso.Weretheytalkingto Archerfirst?Wasthisascaretactic?Becauseitwasworking
Then Detective Holden walked in with a female officer that sometimes bought flowers from Scarlett. Her name was Chrissy,andshewasnormallyasmiley,warmwoman Today,herfacecouldhavebeenhewnfromstone
Thedetectivestatedthedateandtime,andthentheinterviewstarted.Scarlettansweredtheirquestionswithasmuchdetail as she could. She told the truth: they’d leftaround sunset, she’d seenthe silver car, they’d turned the corner and noticed the smashedglass Sheestimatedthetimebetweenseeingthesmashedglassandcallingthepolicetobelessthanfiveminutes
The two of themseemed exhausted and stressed. They’d probably worked all night. Still, there was a certain look in DetectiveHolden’seyeswhenhestaredatScarlettthatmadeherhavetofocusveryhardnottofidget “CanyougivemeareasonwhyMs.Brownwouldhavewantedtobreakintoyourflowershop?”heasked. Scarlettspreadherhands “Ihavenoidea I’veneverseenorspokentoherbefore” “Butyourfriendshave.”
Scarlettblinked.“Well.Yes.ShewasAmelia’sneighborbefore…Before.” “AndshethreatenedyourfriendLucyBarlow”
Scarlettnodded.“Y-yes.Butthat’sbeenoverformorethanayear.Ididn’tevenknowEthelwasstillintown.” “WereyouupsetwhenLucywasindanger?”
Wherewashegoingwiththis?“Ofcourse,”sheanswered.“Lucy’smyfriend.” “Upsetenoughtoholdagrudge?”
Scarlettfroze.Thetwoofficerswatchedher,unmoving. “Excuseme?”shewhispered.
“Scarlett,didyoukillEthelBrown?”
“What?”Shejerkedback.“No!Ofcoursenot.”Sheclampedherlipsshut.
RickandChrissyonlystaredather Thethreeofthemsatinaweird,tensestaringcontestthatScarlettwasdefinitelylosing untilhersmartwatchbegantobeep.Sheglanceddowntoseeanalertforelevatedheartrate,andrightthenandthere,Scarlett decidedthatshewasdonewithtechnology She’dtossherwatch,herphone,andherlaptopintotheheartofavolcano,become ahermit,andneverspeaktoanotherpersoneveragain.
Clickingthebuttononthesideofherwatchtoturnthealertoff,Scarlettgrimaced “AmIasuspect?”
“We’rejusttryingtoeliminateyoufromtheinvestigation,”thedetectiveanswered,whichsoundedlikeabig,steamingpile ofbullshit.
“DoIneedalawyer?”
“We’reonlyhavingaconversation,Scarlett.”
Scarlettmetthedetective’shardeyes,andthistimeshedidn’tlose Hervoicehadmorestrengththansheexpectedwhen shesaid,“IthinkI’vehadenoughofthesequestions,”shetoldhim.“I’vetoldyoueverythingIknow.I’dliketoleavenow.”
Thedetectiveleanedbackwithasighandnoddedtotheotherofficer Afterwritingandsigningastatement,Scarlettwas ledoutoftheroom,herheartinherthroat.Theroomblurredassherushedtowardtheexit,throwingtheglassdoorsopenwith aviolentthrust.
Fresh,coolairwashedoverher,andScarlettgulpeddownadeepbreath Thenanother Thenanother
Finally,shecamebacktoherselfenoughtonoticeArcherleaningagainstthebrickwalltoherleft.Hislipsweresetina grimline
“Thisisbad,”hesaid.“Reallybad.”
“Theythinkwedidit,”sheconfirmed,achillwalkingdownherspine.Shegulped.“Thanksforwaitingforme.” Archersighed,hisfacesoftening.“Always,Scarlett.Comeon.CamillawasveryclearaboutwhereI’msupposedtobring younow.”
THEY MADE ittoCamilla’s bakery,The SweetestThing,ingoodtime,havingcrossedthe pedestrianbridge over the river thatwoundthroughthecenter oftownandcutthroughoneofthemanyparksthatmadeStirlingsopicturesque.TheSweetest Thingwaspackedwithpeople,asusual,andeveryoneofthemturnedtowatchasScarlettandArcherentered.Afewpeople leanedtowardeachotherandwhispered.
Scarlettfroze Didtheyallthinkshe’dkilledEthelBrown?Wouldthepolicenamethemassuspects?Wouldshehavetorun awayfromthistowntoo?
“Overhere!”Ameliacalledout,wavingthemovertoatable ArchercurvedhisarmaroundScarlett’sback.“Yougood?”
Shenodded.“Yeah.”Andwithhisarmaroundher,italmostfeltlikethetruth. Theycrossedthespace,ignoringthestares.
Behindthecounter,Camillasmiled,tookpaymentfromacustomer,thenremovedtheapronshewaswearingbeforecoming overtotheirtablewithaplatteroftreats
Dark-haired Lucy was tucked under Cormac’s armas they cuddled near the wall. Next to them, Amelia and Leo were sharingapastry Marlonsatonhisownontheothersideofthetablenearthewall HesnatchedCamillaaroundthewaistafter she’d dropped the pastries onthe table and dragged her onto his lap. Camilla laughed, curlinganarmaround her husband’s mile-wideshouldersashestrokedhercurves.They’dbeenmarriedforoverayear,andtheycouldn’tkeeptheirhandsoffeach other ScarlettwonderedifamanwouldeverlookatherthewayMarlonlookedatCamilla,thenbanishedthethought Now wasnotthetimetofeelsorryforherself.
SheslippedintoafreechairwhileArcherstrippedhisjacketandplaceditonthebackoftheseatnexttohers Heworea whiteteethatshowedoffhisgolden-brownarmsinalltheirmuscularglory.Scarlettwatchedthecordsofhisforearmflexas he grabbed a plate fromthe center of the table and put it infront of her He perused the selectionof treats, thenturned to Scarlettandaskedherwhatshewantedbeforetakinganythingforhimself.
Shewasmorethancapableofgrabbingherownbakedgoodsfromtheplatter,ofcourse,but…Itfelt good tobetakencare of Inthewarmthofthesweet-smellingbakery,abitofthetensionthatgrippedherbodyeased “Howdiditgo?”Camillaasked,browsarchedinconcern.
“Thepolicethinkwedidit,”Scarlettblurted Cormac and Marlon, who owned a securitybusiness together, glanced ateachother, frowned, and leaned closer. Itwas Marlonwhospoke “Whatmakesyousaythat?”
“Thetenoroftheinterview,”Archerputin,shakinghishead.“Let’sjustsayitwasunpleasant.”
“DetectiveHoldenaskedmeifIhadagrudgeagainstEthelBrown,andthenhepoint-blankaskedifIdidit.”
“That’sinsane!”Lucyshookherhead “Howcouldhethinkthat?”
“Maybethey’rejustcoveringtheirbases,”Ameliasaid,soundinguncertain.“DottingtheirT’s,andwhatnot?” “Whattheheckhappened?”Camillaasked,wide-eyed “Didyousee YouactuallysawEthelBrown’sbody?” Scarlettgroanedandslappedherhandsoverherface.Ithadbeenalittleoversixteenhourssinceshe’dwalkedintosee herdesecratedshop,butitseemedlikeaneonago.
Camillareachedover tosqueezeher hand.“We’rejustgladyou’reokay.Anddon’tworryaboutthepolice.They’rejust tryingtodotheirjobs.Theyhavetoquestionyouaboutit.Ithappenedinyourshop.”
“Withmywrench,”Archeradded.
“Whichisreallyunfortunate,”Ameliasaid.
“That’sonewordforit,”Scarlettquipped,snorting
“Youknowwhosefaultthiswholethingis?”Archeraskednooneinparticular.
Scarlett’slipstwitched “Who?”
“MurielHoward.”
“Ohyeah?”
“Shecalledmeovertolookatherkitchencabinethingesforthefourthtimethismonth.IwasrushingbecauseIwantedto getovertotheBarlows’placeintime,andIforgottolockthetoolboxinthebedofmytruck.IfIhadn’tgoneoverthere,the murdererwouldn’thavehadaweapon Herhingesarefine!I’vecheckedeverysinglecabinetdoorandthey’reall level and true.”
Therewasrealannoyanceinhisvoice,butforsomereasonitmadeScarlettsmile “Maybeshethinksyou’rehot,andshe’s cookingupexcusestogetyoutocomeover.”
“Please”
“Ican’tblameherfortrying,”Scarlettsaid,thenclampedherlipsshut.
Archer’s grayeyes tookonaninterested gleamas he mether gaze. “Why, Ms. Westbrook. Are yousayingyouthinkI’m hot?”
“Weweren’ttalkingaboutme.”
“Howareyourcabinethingesdoing?”
“They’re justfine, thankyou,” Scarlettanswered primly, pickingup her mug. Heatsweptover her cheeks and downthe backofherneck.“Myhingesarenotinneedofanyattention.Fromanybody.”
Archerhadlethisarmrestonthebackofherchair,andnowhisthumbsweptaburningarchbetweenhershoulderblades. Hernipplestingled.
“Well,”Camillasaidintheresultingsilence “Thisisinteresting”
“Stopit,”Scarlettsaid,pluckingadonutfromtheplatterinthemiddleofthetable.Shetookabig,angrybite,whichmade Camillalaughforsomereason
Scarlettburnedwithunresolvedlustandnotasmallbitofembarrassment,butshefeltbetter.Thehopethathaddiedwhen she’d messed up the speechyesterdaybeganto grow again. These were her friends her family. Theydidn’tlooklike they werejudgingher,orangry,orgettingreadytoshunandignoreher.Theylookedliketheycared.
Whensheleanedback,shefeltArcher’sfingersspreadoutalongherback,feltthesoftstrokeofhisthumboncemore.
“Whatactuallyhappened?”Lucyasked “Youjustwalkedoverandfoundherintheshop?”
“Youdon’thavetotalkaboutitifyoudon’twantto,”Camillaadded.
Scarlett relaxed “No, I’ll tell you,” she said before launching into an account of what had happened after leaving the Barlows’place.Shecouldtellthetablesaroundthemwerelistening,soshetriedtokeephervoicedown,whatevergoodthat woulddo.
Camilla kept pushing more pastries onto her plate as the tale progressed When Scarlett took a break to tear into a chocolate-filledcroissant,Archerpickedupthetale.Finally,whentheyweredone,Camillasaid,“Soweneedtofindoutwho wasdrivingthatsilvercar”
Marlon and Cormac shared a glance, and Cormac took out his phone. No doubt they’d have their tech wizard, Elton, workingonitwithinmoments
AnotheroatmilklatteappearedinfrontofScarlett.Camillamusthavegesturedtothebaristaforit.Scarlettsmiledatthe teenage girl who dropped itoff, thenturned to her friends. “Who do youthinkitcould be? Who inStirlingwould actually murder someone,evensomeoneashorribleasEthelBrown?”
“IthinkitwasFrankieSmith,”theteenagersaid.
“Emily,”Camillawarned
“What!”Thegirlspreadherarms.“Hewassomeantoyou.”
“Iwastheonewhosignedthecontract,”shesaid “He’sajerk,butitdoesn’tmeanhe’sbehindeverycrimeintown”
“Oneofhisgoonscameinheretheotherday,whenyouhadyourdayoff,”Emilysaid. Camillaarchedherbrows.“Hedid?Whichone?”
“Thebigone Lookslikeacaveman”
“Thatdoesn’tnarrowitdownmuch,”Camillanoted,laughing.
Emilypursedherlips “Hewantedacustomcake Canyoubelieveit?”
“Acakeforwhat?”
“Whocares!”Emilyexclaimed,shakingherhead.“Itoldhimtogetlost.” Marlongrinned.“Goodjob,Emily.”
“Don’tencourageher,”CamillachidedasEmilywalkedaway,herponytailswishingwitheverystep.
“Ethelcouldhavehadatonofenemies,”Archernoted,bringingtheconversationbackaroundtotheprevioustopic.“She hadsomanyschemesandconsrunning,sheprobablytriedtorobhalfthetown.”
“I’ll tell youwho did it,” a scratchyvoice interjected Itwas grouchyMr Petrovski again, leaningover their table His gnarled knuckles curled as he puthis liver-spotted fistonthe table. He was a regular atCamilla’s bakeryand was always quickwithacommentabouthowStirlingwasfallingapart “ItwasRalphLewis GretaMooresawhimonthestreetlastnight HewentintoBussy’s,buthewashavingagoodlonglookaround.Unusual.”
GretaMoorewasanosyoldwomanwholivedinasmallapartmentaboveaconsignmentshoponMainStreet Shewould havehadaclearviewofthebar,Bussy’s,butshecouldn’thaveseenScarlett’sshop,sinceGreta’splacewasonthesameside ofthestreet,onlyafewdoorsdown.Scarlettwasn’tfamiliarwithanyonenamedRalphLewis.
Mr Petrovskiwasstilltalking:“Lewisnevercomestotown,hespendsallhistimeinthatcabinofhis,butheshowsupto gotothebaronthenightoftheonlymurderintownfordecades?IknowwhoI’mpointingthefingerat,anditisn’tthetown’s florist”
WarmthfloodedScarlett’schest.Atleastonecrotchetyoldmanthoughtshewasinnocent.Thatwassomething.
“RalphLewis,”Archerreplied,incredulous “Noway Iapprenticedunderhimforfouryears;he’snotamurderer”
“Triedtomurderamanin’82,”Mr.Petrovskicountered,eyessteadyonArcher.“Talkofthetownatthetime.Gotaway withittoo.”
Archerlookedthunderstruck “What?”
“I remember readingabout that, actually,” Amelia cut in. “I was doinga researchproject inhighschool about Stirling history,andIwentthroughabunchofnewspaperarchives Hiswifewascheatingonhim,andhewentaftertheotherguywith anaxe.Cutofftwooftheguy’sfingers.”
Everyonesatforamomentwhiletheyabsorbedthatinformation. “Noway,”Archerfinallysaid.
“I’mtellingyou,”Mr.Petrovskianswereddarkly,thenflickedhishandandshuffledaway,grumblingtohimself. Scarlettpickedupherfreshlatteandtookasip,mullingovertheoldman’swords Aguywhogoesafterhiswife’saffair partnerisn’tthekindofpersonwhowouldmurderawomanincoldblood.RalphLewis’scrimewasoneofpassion.
Thenagain,shedidn’tknowwhyEthelhadbeenkilled WhatifRalphknewher,andhadamotive? SheglancedatArcher,whosebrowwasfurrowed.
“HaveyoutalkedtoRalphlately,Archer?”ThequestioncamefromMarlon.
Archer shook his head. At Scarlett’s questioning glance, he explained, “Ralph is the carpenter who took me on as an apprenticeintheearlydays.Extremelytalented.”
“Andextremelysurly,”Camillaputin
Ameliasaid,“Youcan’treallygotothepolicewithonlyMr.P’swordtogoon.It’sjustarumor.”
“Yeah,”Scarlettagreed
“Ijustcan’tbelieve he would do this. Did he evenknow Ethel?” Archer rana hand throughhis hair and letouta long breath.
“Youdidjustsayshecouldhavehadanynumberofenemies,”Scarlettsaid Shechewedherlip,notwantingtosayitout loudbutknowingshehadto.“Maybetheykneweachother.”
Archerleanedback ScarlettwatchedthedecisionsettleoverArcher Shesawthesetofhisbroadshouldersandtheway henoddedtohimselfalmostimperceptibly.Inthiscarefree,laughingman,shesawadarkdeterminationthatshecouldn’thave guessedexistedbefore “OnlyonewaytofindoutwhatRalphknows,”hesaid,grim HewasgoingtogotalktoRalphLewis,andhewasgoingtodoitnow.
Archerwassostrongandsureandhandsome,andScarlettcouldn’tlethimdothisalone.Notwhenshewasasuspecttoo. Notwhensheknewhowitfelttobeblindsidedbysomeone’struecharacter Notwhensheknewwhatitfeltliketofacelifeon herown.
So,whenArcherstood,Scarlettputahandonhisarm Heglanceddownather,blueeyessteady “I’mcomingwithyou,”shesaid.
Archer held her gaze for a moment, and Scarlett could tell there was a protest on his lips But he must have seen the determinationinhereyesandknownitwaspointlesstotrytostopher.Hedippedhischin.“Let’sgo.”
