One of Us Is Dead(28)

He nods. “I appreciate your cooperation and you coming forward.” Detective Sanford pulls out a chair and takes his seat. “So, the gala didn’t go well?”

“It was a disaster.”

He takes a sip of his coffee. “Shannon must have been very upset after that.”

“Obviously. Bryce embarrassed her in front of everyone who was anyone in Buckhead.”

“And there was tension between Shannon and Olivia?” He raises an eyebrow.

“I think there was tension between everyone,” I say matter-of-factly.

“I found a police report that indicates that Glow was broken into the night of the gala, and you were injured that evening.” He gives me a sympathetic look.

My hand runs along my neck, rubbing it. Sometimes I can still feel my windpipe being crushed. I simply nod. I’m not sure what else he wants me to say. He clearly read the report, my statement, and Crystal’s statement. There’s nothing more for me to add.

“They never caught the people responsible?”

“No, the police never caught the people responsible.” I take another sip of my coffee.

“Had anything like that ever happened before?” He tilts his head.

“No, never.”

“According to the report, only a gold purse was stolen?”

“That’s correct. They couldn’t get the register open.” I swivel the Starbucks cup slightly.

“Do you think it was random?” Detective Sanford raises an eyebrow again.

I lean forward a little in my seat. “I don’t think anything that happened in Buckhead was random.”





21

Olivia


I had to wear my long-sleeved red Valentino dress today thanks to Dean grabbing my arm so aggressively last night. I don’t know what the hell got into him. I mean I get it; he doesn’t want me stirring up trouble, but still, it was unnecessary, and I left this morning without speaking a word to him. I’m sure I’ll come back home to a new designer bag and a few dozen red roses. I was off to Glow Salon for our monthly book club, and I was excited to discuss Vogue and, of course, Shannon. I assumed she wouldn’t even attend after her embarrassing episode at the gala. Ugh! Glow’s left window was boarded up and there was duct tape holding together the glass on the door. This place was going downhill fast.

“Why does this place look abandoned?” I called out as I threw open the velvet curtains, making my way into the salon. “I almost didn’t come in, in case someone saw me. What would they say? But it’s my pick this month, so I had to be here.” I turned up my nose and slid off my sunglasses. The place did look a little dingier, not as clean as usual. A makeup vanity was missing.

“Jenny should really get a maid in here. This place needs a lot of work.”

Crystal and Karen were seated on a couch, while Keisha was filling glasses with mimosas and finishing setting up. The coffee table was covered in platters of fresh-cut fruit, croissants, and sliced cheese. Crystal looked rough. Dark circles sat under her eyes, and she was dressed in Lululemon leggings and a white T-shirt. Karen looked average as well. Had these women just given up? I rolled my eyes.

“Glow was broken into last night.” Karen looked at me.

“What? That’s terrible.”

“And Jenny was hurt pretty bad,” Crystal said. Her eyes were glossy and her lip trembled.

“What?” My hand flew to my mouth. “Where is she?”

Before any of them could answer, Jenny walked in from the back. Her right eye was black and blue. Her lip was swollen and bruises covered her neck.

“Oh my God, Jenny. Are you okay?” I ran to her.

“I’m fine. It’s not as bad as it looks,” she said, beelining for the vanity. She applied some powder onto her neck, trying to cover it up, but the injuries were too dark.

“Can I get you anything? I have Vicodin,” I offered.

“Oh, no. I just want to enjoy this book club meeting and not talk about it, if that’s all right.” She forced a small smile, but winced a little, bringing her finger to her lip.

There were nods all around.

“You know I can handle everything here, if you want to go upstairs and lie down.” Keisha offered.

“Nonsense, I’m fine.”

I took a seat on the couch. “Well, this is absolutely appalling, and I’ll be bringing this up at the next committee meeting for a potential charity event,” I said.

“Olivia, it’s fine. Insurance is covering everything. The windows are getting replaced today,” Jenny said, pouring herself a glass of orange juice.

“But your face. It’s hideous.”

“Olivia!” Karen scolded.

“I mean that in the best way possible of course,” I said with a smile.

“It’ll heal,” Jenny said, taking a sip.

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. “Karen, you should really get Mark in here to look at her. She’ll probably need reconstructive surgery,” I said.

Karen rolled her eyes. Apparently, she didn’t care about Jenny like I did.

Jenny clapped her hands together. “Let’s begin book club.”

“Actually, this month it’s a Vogue club.” I pulled out my fresh copy of Vogue from my bag. “Top five worst outfits, go,” I said, pointing at Crystal. She looked as though she was going to cry, and I didn’t know why.