“How bad were they hurt?” Barb asked.

“He hit her hard enough that it spun her car all the way around in the other direction. He managed to get out of his car and was sitting on a curb a short distance away, but Melissa’s car was burning and she was trapped.”

Barb shuddered. “Oh my God, please tell me she didn’t perish!”

“Had it not been for the quick thinking of a passing stranger, she would have died. He got her out and far enough away before the car blew up.”

Barb was shaking. “Is Melissa okay?”

“She has some injuries, none of which are life-threatening.”

“Thank God,” Barb said. “What about Niles?”

“I’m so sorry to tell you that he died at the scene from flying debris from the explosion.”

Barb screamed, and then covered her face and started sobbing.

“Is there someone I can call for you? You shouldn’t be alone,” Lon asked.

“Was he drunk?” she asked.

“That will be determined during his autopsy,” Lon said.

“Oh my God,” Barb whispered. “Everyone is finally going to know.”

Lon was a little startled that Barb’s first concern was people finding out her husband had been driving impaired rather than about his death.

“Did he drink a lot?” Lon asked.

She nodded, and sat for a few moments in silence, wiping her eyes and gathering her senses. Finally, she looked up at Lon and asked, “What do I need to do?”

“Nothing. You don’t have a part in the investigation. When Niles’s body is released, you will be notified. At that point, you will be free to begin planning the funeral. Is there anything I can do for you before I leave?” Lon asked.

She shook her head.

“Then I’ll be leaving,” he said. “If you have any questions or need help, don’t hesitate to call. Again, I am sorry for your loss.”

Lon left the room, walked back down the hall, and let himself out.

Barbara heard the door open and close, but she couldn’t bring herself to move. It didn’t seem real. She didn’t remember if she’d even said good morning to Niles when they woke up. He’d gotten up and poured himself a drink, and she’d rolled over and gone back to sleep. They’d been married almost thirty years, and this was how it was going to end. She was heartsick.

“Oh, Niles, you fool. Leave it up to you to go out in a blaze of glory! I can’t keep your secret any longer. Once that autopsy comes back, everyone will know. I’ll bury you, but I’m not staying to be talked about. I can’t be that wife. This was going to be our forever home, but I don’t want it without you.”

Once the news got around, people would be calling, so Barb made herself get up and go back to the kitchen. She got the sack she’d stashed in the pantry and carried it out to the garbage bin. All the metal and glass clattered as she dropped it inside, but as she shut the lid, it dawned on her that she would now be responsible for getting the garbage to the curb. For a woman like Barb, it was just another blow to her ego, and the humiliation was just beginning.