“You want to talk about it?” Justin asks.

  “What is there to talk about? My kids are getting another sibling, and that’s a great thing.”

  “And?”

  “And what?” I turn my head to glare at him.

  I’m starting to regret asking Justin to come along with me to the meeting. He doesn’t even live in the catchment area. But I thought it was a good idea to have someone in my corner, just in case things go south tonight, and Mory agreed to minding the boys for us this evening so here we are.

  Now he’s psychoanalyzing me, when I’m already on the brink of a meltdown, and I don’t have much patience for it.

  “You know, it’s okay to have some feelings about your ex-husband having another baby,” he says.

  “Is it?” I turn to him, eyes wide. “Is it okay for me to want to scream? Is it okay for me to despise the thought of my kids getting a new baby sister? Is it okay for me to hate Aaron and Caitlyn, and seethe with jealousy over them adding a precious new baby to their family, while somehow simultaneously being completely content with not having any more of my own?”

  Justin mulls this over for a second. “Yes. I think that’s okay. I’d dare say it’s even… normal.”

  I slam my head back against my seat and take a deep breath, letting it out slowly while I collect my thoughts. “Parenting is the most beautiful and cruel experience there is in life,” I say, my voice breaking a little. “One day, you give your child their last bath or read them their last bedtime story and the occasion isn’t memorable. You don’t even notice it. Then at some point, you realize that period of your life just slipped by and now lives in the past, gone forever. And in that moment, right there, you finally realize that all those small things that seemed so mundane and even frustrating at times… well they were actually the most valuable moments of your entire life.”

  There’s silence in the car for too long, until I finally look over to Justin. He’s just staring out of the window into the dark. After a moment he turns to me, his eyes glassy. “Christ, Ruby.”

  “Sorry.”

  “Don’t be. But you can apologize to Xavier in advance when we get back, because I’ll probably end up hugging that kid way too hard before bed tonight.”

  I crack a smile at this and open the door to get out. Right now I need a distraction, and this meeting should be the perfect thing for that.

  We walk through the parking lot, the streetlights casting long shadows that seem to follow us as we make our way toward the hall. I see the glow of light spilling out from the windows of the building and my heart begins racing with anticipation. There’s no escaping the fact that what I’m here to do tonight will stir up a hornets’ nest in this small community. Somebody here knows something about these pictures, and I’m going to shake the hive until the truth comes out.

  Justin reaches for the handle of the heavy wooden door and pushes it open, holding out his arm for me to enter first. Inside, the room is filled with the buzz of conversation. The scent of coffee and old wood fills the air, and it’s immediately clear that everyone here already knows each other, their conversations flowing easily as they mingle around the snack table.

  Feeling a little out of place, I stay close to Justin as we each grab a cup of coffee and try to blend in. I notice that every once in a while, someone will look from Justin to me and back again, frowning, before quickly turning away.

  I grab his arm as he’s about to stuff a glazed donut into his mouth. “We should probably try to mingle.”

  “No talk,” he grumbles. “Free food.”

  I leave the caveman to it and try to seek out any familiar faces. I’ve been living here for five months now, and I’m wondering how long it will be until I won’t feel like such an outsider. Finally, I spot someone I recognize as a blonde woman shuffles through the crowd toward me. “Ruby, hi! This must be your first time coming to one of these meetings.”

  I smile. “Hi, Kendra! Yes, it is.”

  She laughs and taps my arm. “Harriet, actually.”

  “Oh! Of course, I knew that. Sorry.” My cheeks redden. Harriet and Kendra are so blandly indistinguishable. They really should wear name tags.

  As Harriet and I make chit-chat, I can’t help but notice her eyes flicker to Justin every now and then.

  It’s starting to really bug me now. Either Justin is so good-looking that nobody (including the local pastor) can keep their eyes off of him, or these are the judging eyes that he told me about before. I can’t even begin to wrap my head around how anyone could think that he murdered his own wife, he’s one of the most kind and gentle men I know.

  When everyone is ushered to the seating area, I catch him by the arm and speak quietly. “Have you noticed the looks?”

  He laughs as he licks his sticky fingers. “Only every damn time I’ve left my house for the past eight years.”

  “Don’t you feel like telling them all to go to hell? How do you deal with this?” I ask.

  He looks into my eyes. “I know the truth. That’s all that matters.”

  We weave our way through the crowd, past rows of chairs set up facing a stage with a podium at the front and pick seats close to it. After a minute, Felicity and Quinten sit down next to us. A flicker of judgment passes across Felicity’s eyes when she sees me with Justin, but she says nothing and proceeds to make small talk with me as usual.

  The room is filled with chatter and laughter, the air buzzing with energy, but it quickly dies down when Benton Shepherd walks onto the stage, commanding everyone’s attention with his dazzling smile.

  “Hello and good evening, everybody.” He waves, eyes scanning the room. “It’s great to see so many familiar faces here tonight. I appreciate all of you taking the time to join us for this meeting.”

  As he begins speaking passionately about the community he’s known as his home for many years and a new development project for a children’s playground that he’s excited to get behind, I feel a cold sensation prickle down the back of my neck and I turn around to see a pair of dark eyes right on mine. Bernice Fisher’s scowl could peel paint off a wall as she glares at me from the end of the next row back, her eyes brimming with pure, unadulterated hate.

  I roll my eyes and turn back to face the front of the room again, listening as Benton reads out some stats given to him by the local police chief about the impressively low crime rate in our area. Benton is all but patting himself on the back for single-handedly making sure his neighborhood stays safe.

  This guy thinks he’s Batman, I’m sure of it.

  When he’s done making sure everyone knows this night is mostly about him, it’s time for some others to take the floor and, with each person that faces the room, a better picture of the community builds in my mind. There’s Tom and Andrew, who are setting up a Men’s Shed and encourage the guys in the room to stop by. There’s Angela, who needs more volunteers to help tend the flower beds at the entrance to Forest Grove, which I (along with several others) gladly raise my hand to. And there’s Elijah, who very kindly reminds everyone how nice it is when they make the effort to pick up after their dogs.

  Everyone seems so nice and friendly, and I’m starting to feel proud to have joined such a balanced and connected community.

  Unfortunately, that feeling is extinguished when Bernice Fisher gets up to have her say.

  26

  RUBY

  It’s impossible not to notice the hushed groans and displeased whispers around the room as Bernice walks slowly up to the podium. Evidently, I’m not the only person around here who is tired of this woman’s caustic attitude.

  “Here we go,” I hear Felicity sigh.

  I sink down a little in my chair, trying to stay calm as Bernice takes the podium, list in hand. I knew it was only a matter of time before she’d get up there and start spouting off about me, but now that I see her sour face staring out into the crowd, I want to shrivel up and disappear.

  “I’ve been raising my concerns for months about a new resident on my street,” Bernice starts, with no introduction or pleasantries. “And since she refuses to listen to me, I have no choice but to address it here.”

  There are some groans from the audience as Bernice pulls her glasses up from around her neck and opens her list. “The new resident at number 168 Forest Grove has consistently been⁠—”

  Bernice is cut off before she’s barely begun by a panicked-looking Benton who rushes the stage. “Bernice, I’m going to have to stop you there. I understand that you have concerns, but there are proper channels for addressing personal disagreements, and this meeting is not one of them.”

  My cheeks are burning. I’m sure all eyes in the room are fixed on me right now, but I daren’t even look.

  Bernice crosses her arms and holds her place firmly as Benton closes in on her. “You expect me to stay quiet as Ruby Blake invites a killer into our neighborhood?”

  Justin’s dry laugh beside me is nearly drowned out by the murmurs that float around the room.

  Benton now has Bernice by the arm and is guiding her away from the stage. She struggles with him and manages to pull free from his grip.

  “Fine! I’ll sit back down,” she shouts, before turning to the crowd again. “But I know as well as everyone else here does that Justin Thomas killed his wife!”

  I begin to rise in my seat to defend Justin, but he pulls me back down and shakes his head. “She’s not worth it, Ruby. Don’t bother.”

  An awkward silence falls over the room as Benton returns to the podium. He brushes down his suit and clears his throat. “Well, I think that’s it for our speakers. Thank you to everyone for coming out tonight, as well as for your continued participation in keeping this community safe and connected.”

  As the crowd claps and Benton blesses everyone with a gleaming smile, I take a deep breath and stand up.

  A few people are getting up to leave now and I make a dash for the stage. Benton is just starting to walk down the steps and he gives me a strange look as I rush past him.

  “Excuse me! Sorry! Everyone!” I speak loudly.

  Those who have already gotten up out of their seats begin to sit back down, brows raised. Benton, standing at the end of the row I just exited, crosses his arms.

  “I just have an enquiry to make.” I open my bag up and pull out three printed sheets of paper.

  I had the forethought to scan the photos and print them out large before coming tonight, in order for everyone to get a better look.

  “I moved into number 168 Forest Grove a few months back, and I found these three photos in my home.” I hold each photo out in turn to the perplexed crowd in front of me. “Does anyone know who these girls are?”

  I wait a few moments. There’s a little chatter amongst the audience but no raised hands or voices.

  “Doesn’t anyone recognize even one of them?” I plead.

  Benton starts back up the steps and I’m sure he’s about to haul me off like he did Bernice. I can read the expression on his face, he doesn’t want me showing these around.

  “Wait!” I hold my palm out to him, and turn back to the crowd, desperate now. “I think something bad happened to these girls, and somebody is trying to cover it up.”

  There are confused murmurs from the crowd, but I just speak louder. “Somebody left these photos hidden in my house, and I think these are the smiles of people under duress. If anyone knows something, it could⁠—”

  “It was him!” A shout cuts me off. “He did it! He left them there!”

  Everyone turns to look at Bernice, where she stands screeching. She’s pointing Justin’s way again. “I’ve seen him come and go from the house for years! I’ve tried to warn you all but nobody ever listens to me!”

  Fire shoots through my veins at the sound of her high-pitched voice. What is that woman’s problem? Why has she got it in for Justin?

  Thankfully, nobody seems to give Bernice’s panicked squawking much mind, and an elderly man sitting next to her takes her by the elbow and gently leads her away as she continues shrieking incoherently in Justin’s direction.

  Benton rushes up to me, teeth gritted. “It’s time for you to leave.”

  Most people are getting up and gathering their things now, eager to get away from the circus that’s broken out. This is a mess. I haven’t accomplished anything here, and now my neighbors think I’m a match for Bernice in the crazy department. I look down at Justin who remains seated, seemingly unfazed by the repeated accusations against him. I shove the photos back into my bag and push past Benton, ignoring him. I don’t believe for a second that nobody here knows a thing about these girls.

  Especially Benton Shepherd.

  I walk down the steps as Felicity and Quinten are getting up from their seats and I see Felicity look up at me, sympathy in her eyes.

  “Sorry you didn’t get your answers,” she says, then leans in close and whispers in my ear. “But you might want to listen to Bernice, just this one time.”

  I pull away from Felicity, my eyes narrowed as she walks away. I expect this kind of crap from Bernice, but Felicity? This whole town seems to have found Justin guilty of a crime that wasn’t even committed. The poor man lost his wife, the mother of his child, to suicide. And this is how they treat him?

  “Let’s go.” Justin slips a hand in mine.

  Stepping back out into the parking lot, the bitter cold nips at my face.

  It’s quiet outside, a welcome contrast to the heated atmosphere that had filled the meeting room just moments ago. The whole thing has left a weird feeling in the pit of my stomach. Somebody there knew something about those girls, I know it. And there’s a reason they won’t speak up.

  “Well, I don’t know about you,” Justin says. “But I think that went great.”

  I let out a strangled laugh. “Yeah, except now everyone thinks that I’m crazy and you’re a murderer.”

  “We make a good pair.” He stops me where I am and pulls me in, kissing me on the lips.

  “What was that for?” I ask when he finally releases me.

  He sighs. “It’s for you being the only other sane person in this entire town.”

  I pull him in by his collar and kiss him again before we walk hand in hand back to the car. But when I start the engine, Felicity’s warning begins to play over and over again in my mind, and I can’t help but begin to wonder if there’s something that I’m missing.

  If Justin’s wife was depressed and took her own life, and no criminal charges were ever brought against him, then why does everyone seem so damn sure that he killed her?

  27

  RUBY

  I’m cutting carrots for soup when I hear a low, urgent wail in the distance. The unmistakable pitch rises and falls, growing closer, setting the hairs on the back of my neck on high alert.

  I put my knife down and wipe my hands on a dishtowel before moving to my front window. A few locals I recognize are standing on the street outside, concern etched on their faces as two police cars pull up in front of Bernice Fisher’s house.

  I throw the dishtowel over my shoulder and step outside just in time to see an ambulance blare its sirens up the street and park right next to the police cars.

  “What’s going on?” Mory’s voice comes from behind me.

  “I don’t know,” I say, looking around at the chattering mouths and crossed arms of the bystanders outside.

  A large crowd has now gathered and it’s evident that something is going on inside Bernice’s house. I spot Felicity across the street, her usual shadows, Harriet and Kendra, right by her side. Instructing Mory to stay inside with her brother, I open the door and make my way across the street. Felicity turns when she spots me and I can see from the look on her face that it’s bad news.

  “What’s going on? Is Bernice okay?” I ask.

  Felicity shakes her head, her eyes glistening. “Oh, Ruby. It’s terrible.”

  “Bernice is dead,” Kendra says. “Tom Griffin, the mailman, found her this morning.”

  My heart hammers inside my chest and I can’t find any words to speak.

  “He told me he’d noticed her mail was piling up for the past two weeks.” Harriet’s eyes light up perversely as she speaks. “He tried her door and it was unlocked, so he let himself inside. He found her decaying body in the kitchen.”

  “Murdered,” Kendra adds. “And nobody has seen her since the night of the meeting, so presumably it was just after that.”

  I feel my legs go weak.

  Felicity holds out a hand to steady me. “Are you okay?”

  “I… I can’t believe it,” I stammer. “What happened to her?”

  “Tom said it looked like she’d been strangled,” Felicity says. “But I guess we’ll have to wait for the official word from the coroner.”

  The three women continue talking amongst themselves, their words muffled in my ears as everything around me seems to go gray.

  It’s not like I haven’t noticed how quiet it’s been around here in the two weeks since the community meeting. But thinking of Bernice lying there dead, undiscovered for so long, turns my stomach.

  It’s no secret that I didn’t get along with the woman, but this isn’t what I wanted. She didn’t deserve this.

  The police are now cordoning off Bernice’s house and asking the crowd to move back to make space.

  “It could be a break-in gone wrong,” Felicity suggests.

  “Oh, come on, Felicity, you don’t believe that any more than I do.” Kendra shakes her head.

  “What… what do you mean?” I find my voice.

  They glance silently from one to the other, before I realize what’s going unsaid.

  “You all think Justin did this,” I mutter in disbelief.

  Nobody speaks.

  “I can’t believe you all!” My voice rises. “Why would Justin do something like this? He barely even knew the woman!”

  “Ruby, he—” Felicity starts.

  “No! You know what? Justin is the kindest, most selfless man I’ve ever known. He didn’t kill his wife, and he definitely didn’t kill Bernice Fisher!”