One of Us Is Dead(34)

“Olivia said it was because my divorce got in the way, and that it was unanimous.” Shannon bit at her lower lip.

I let out a groan. “Don’t listen to Olivia. I voted against it, but it was in the bylaws. That’s how Olivia got the motion through.”

“Karen, I’m really sorry for the way I acted today. I’m so embarrassed by tonight, today, last night.” She lowered her head and shook it.

“It’s fine. Really it is. I understand. Life is hard and living in Buckhead is even harder. I’m here for you no matter how bitchy you get,” I said with a laugh.

She laughed too and immediately wrapped me in her arms for a tight hug. She was going to be okay.

My phone buzzed, and I picked it up from the coffee table. It was a text from Keisha.

Have you seen this?

“Oh, my fucking God,” I said out loud as my mouth dropped open.

Shannon looked at me with worried eyes. “What is it?”

I shook my head. “You don’t want to know.”





25

Jenny present Detective Sanford pulls his phone from his pocket and places it on the table. He clicks around and pulls up a saved video.


“One of my officers came across this.” He faces the screen toward me. “Can you tell me about it?”

I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and then reopen them. On the screen is a still image of Shannon. The video is titled Woman Commits Suicide*.

“Yes.” I nod.





26

Olivia


I took a seat at a table in a small cocktail bar on Peach Street and ordered two vodka martinis. Crystal had phoned earlier, asking me to meet, and I was more than happy to do so. I knew I had done well at the salon earlier, saying all the right things. These women would come around now and realize I wasn’t so bad after all. They should know that it’s just easier to have me on their side, and Crystal needed someone to take her under their wing. I was that person. Sure, my wing wasn’t big, white, and feathery like an angel’s. It was more like a bat’s—quick and dark with claws hiding beneath.

“Hey, how are you?” Crystal said, taking a seat and placing her purse on the back of her chair. She was underdressed again. I was wearing a little red cocktail dress, and she was wearing a jean jacket. Now that we were allies, it was something I could help her with. I refrained from looking her up and down and instead smiled.

“I’m good. I’m glad we could get together. I ordered you a vodka martini.”

“Oh, thank you. I’ve never had one. I’m more of a beer type of girl.”

I held the smile on my face. It was nearly impossible to not snarl. A ‘beer type of girl’? Something else I could teach her. The server set a vodka martini in front of both of us. I quickly took a sip.

“You’re going to love it.”

Crystal picked up her glass and held it to her lips. She was apprehensive, but she tipped the martini back anyway. Her face crumpled up as soon as it hit her tongue. She set the drink down, coughed, and tried to compose herself. “That’ll take some getting used to.”

“It’s rather sophisticated, so I guess it’s not for everyone. Do you want to order a beer instead?”

“Oh, no. This is fine. I’ve got to start fitting in somehow.” She laughed.

“No need to worry about that, Crystal. With me by your side, you’ll fit in just fine,” I said.

She took another sip but this time kept her composure. Maybe she was teachable, like a charity project of mine. Or a small pet.

“So, I asked you here tonight because I just wanted to make sure you were okay.” She dropped her chin in a sympathetic way.

“Oh, you mean because of Shannon’s behavior? She doesn’t faze me anymore. Shannon is a total mess, and she’s so obsessed with Bryce. It’s sad. I should be the one worried about you. How did her dinner go with him? Are you and Bryce okay? She didn’t do anything, did she?”

“No . . .” Crystal said awkwardly. “Not that. Bryce and I are fine. It seems their conversation was productive. I was talking about what happened between you and Dean at the gala.” She took another sip of her martini.

I waved my hand at her, dismissing her comment. “What, that? That was nothing. Dean had had a little too much to drink, and he was just upset about all the drama. He hates drama,” I explained.

Crystal crinkled up her face as if she were trying to understand what I was saying or make sense of it. She wasn’t the brightest crayon in the box, that was for sure. I took another sip of my martini and signaled the waiter for two more. I was going to need it to get through this conversation.

“You’re sure?” she asked.

“Sure of what?”

“He grabbed your arm really hard. Has he done that to you before?” She stared right into my eyes.

I didn’t know what her angle was, but I didn’t like it. Why was she sitting here asking me these questions? My relationship was none of her business. The server set down two more martinis just as I finished my first.

“Yeah, I’m sure,” I said, rolling my eyes at her.

“You can talk to me, Olivia. I was in an abusive relationship. I understand what it’s like.” She placed her hand on mine.

“Who? Bryce? Is that why Shannon is so hung up on him? Stockholm syndrome?”