One of Us Is Dead(85)

Bryce didn’t have his gun with him. Our texts back and forth indicating Bryce was armed and dangerous were purely precautions in case something went wrong. We had planned this like a game of Clue—Bryce in his office with the handgun.

“Where is Olivia?” Shannon holstered Bryce’s gun in the top of her thigh-high stockings.

“On her way to the guesthouse.”

“And Bryce?” She situated her dress back in place, carefully smoothing it out.

“On his way to his office.”

Shannon gave a pleased smile. Everything was going according to plan. At the salon earlier, I had reprogrammed Bryce’s number in Olivia’s phone to go to a burner cell, and when I returned home, I did the same to Bryce’s phone, reprogramming Olivia’s number to the same burner cell. I would be sure to change them back before the evening was over and dispose of the phone. But right now, they were both exactly where we wanted them, alone and vulnerable, with a sense of false confidence.





81

Karen


the night of the housewarming party

Keisha and I stood near the pool in the center of everything. The party was in full motion with strobe lights, loud music, bustling servers, and drinks endlessly flowing. Crystal had done a fabulous job of ensuring this party had the same vibe as a club—disorienting and overwhelming. It was imperative that people notice Keisha and me. We wanted to be seen. We watched Olivia disappear inside. We watched everyone drinking and having fun, completely unaware of what was really happening.

“I’m having a really hard time finding you attractive right now,” Keisha snarked.

“Yeah, because I look like fucking Olivia,” I huffed.

Keisha laughed and grabbed my hand. Her face turned serious. “It’ll all be over soon.”

I nodded. “Is it time?”

She looked at her watch. “Yes.”

I took a deep breath and replayed the plan in my head. Keisha put her arm on me, and I shrugged it off dramatically, yelling, “It’s now or never.” Eyes were immediately on us. Perfect. I strutted over to Mark, “We need to talk!”

He looked at me and then took another drink. “About what?”

“About you fucking Olivia,” I raised my voice even louder. More eyes on us.

His whole demeanor changed in an instant, and he was now on high alert. Mark tried to quiet me. But I would no longer be silenced. I was a woman with a voice, a powerful combination.

“Tell me the truth,” I demanded even louder.

“Lower your voice.” He glanced around again, making sure no one was listening. “Nothing happened with Olivia.”

“Don’t lie to me, you asshole!”

“Did Olivia tell you this? Jesus Christ, and even after I fucking paid her.” Mark looked around the party, trying to find her.

He hung his head in shame and then picked it back up, ready to explain. I put my hand up to stop him. “Don’t bother. I’m leaving you.”

“Don’t do this. I promise I’ll be better. I love you, Karen,” he begged like a dog.

“I’m not in love with you. I’m in love with someone else, and I want a divorce,” the words came out of me with ease.

“What the fuck!? With whom?” He turned red. His eyes narrowed. His mouth tightened.

“With her.” I pointed back at Keisha, who was standing a few feet behind me. “Goodbye, Mark.”

I turned away from him, walked over to Keisha, and kissed her hard. People gasped. People cheered. I didn’t care about what reaction they were having as long as the attention was on us. We were the distraction, the car accident you can’t keep your eyes off.

“Is that Olivia kissing her?” a person from the crowd asked.

It was working. I was passing as Olivia.

“No, that’s Karen,” another person responded.

After this, I would separate from Keisha and make the rounds of the party. Round and round, until no one could tell the difference between Olivia and me. Was Olivia there until ten? Eleven? Midnight? Sure, sure she was. She was at the party all night long.

Loud explosions echoed throughout, and the sky was lit up with bright colorful fireworks, taking everyone’s eyes off of Keisha and me.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“I am now.” I smiled at Keisha.

We looked up and took it in for a few seconds: the night sky, the fireworks, the feeling that maybe everything was going to be okay.

“Be careful,” Keisha said, taking a step away from me.

“You too.” I walked away from her, disappearing into a crowd of people.





82

Crystal the night of the housewarming party “Hello,” Olivia called out. “Bryce, are you here? I told you no funny business.”


I watched Olivia slink in through the sliding door, carefully closing it behind her. She stumbled a little, trying to find the light switch. Her hand touched it and she flicked it several times, but no light came on.

“Bryce.” Her voice wasn’t light or airy this time. It was apprehensive, almost fearful. She peered around the living room, but her eyes hadn’t adjusted to the dark. I stood in the darkness, leaning over the railing, waiting for her to come upstairs. My breath was slow and controlled. My hands gripped the baseball bat, while the top of it leaned against my shoulder.