“It’s just in your head, Marin. You tend to think the worst of Felicity because they’re the haves, while we’re the have-nots. It’s starting to get… irritating.”

Wow. Was Cody really trying to gaslight me right now? Because that irritated me, especially considering he was a cheating bastard and I hadn’t called him out on it…yet.

“This has nothing to do with their money.”

“Whatever. It’s obvious this is jealousy talking, Marin. And it doesn’t look good on you.” Cody passed me a know-it-all look. I passed it right back.

“You really want to say that to me right now?” The edge to my voice was sharp, ready to cut. The knife in my hand looked awfully inviting right now.

Cody apparently wanted to say nothing, so I turned and walked away. Out of the kitchen, through the dining room, across the entry where the scratchy blue carpet had been worn through in spots. I couldn’t handle any more drama today. I needed something calming. Something reassuring.

I stomped upstairs, making sure Cody knew I was pissed, texting on my way up:

Can we talk?

Three little dots hung for less than a moment before a reply popped up:

Always here for you, babe. What about?

I didn’t know what I was looking for until I found it on the tip of my fingers:

It’s time to kill the husband.

Another row of dots, then:

You sure you’re ready this time?

I wasn’t ready, maybe never would be, but I had to do something. I couldn’t be a victim my whole life.

As ready as I’ll ever be.

The dots took longer this time before another reply surfaced:

What made you decide to finish what we started over two years ago? You know we’ve been working on this murder for that long, right?

How had two years passed in a blink?

I wasn’t sure it was the right thing to do, but I need to do this before I lose my courage.

The reply was swift this time:

Let’s get to it then. You free to meet in person tomorrow?

My finger hovered over the screen, itching to reply. I knew it was a mistake, a huge one, but I had reached the end of my rope. I needed to cut off the noose before it hung me.

The Pittsburg Press

The Pittsburg Press

Pittsburg, PA

Wednesday, October 19, 1910

SUFFRAGE GROUP GETS MESSAGE FROM MISSING WOMAN ALVERA FIELDS

Missing Wife and Mother Reported to Have Either Sent Message Herself or Through a Friend

It is stated that a message has been received by woman suffrage secretary Cecile Cianfarra, presumably from Alvera Fields, wife of importer Robert Fields. The message reached Miss Cianfarra at home early yesterday.