Want to Know a Secret? (47)

But it felt pretty good.

Of course, I don’t know what to do next. Maria has it out for me… but why? Did I do something to her?

Maybe the place to begin is with Mrs. Kirkland. I remember what her niece said when she came to visit about that life alert necklace.

She was scared about breaking a hip, you know? I couldn’t believe she didn’t have it on.

I wonder how bad Maria wanted to live in the house next to me…

Could it really be Maria who has been sending me those text messages and writing all those nasty comments on YouTube? Did she throw the rock through my window? It’s so hard to imagine. I only met the woman a few months ago. How could she hate me enough to do something like that to me? Most people like me.

I shake my head. I’ve got to get out of here. I’m not thinking clearly right now. I’m going to go home, take a shower, and maybe bake some cookies. Something will come to me.

But as I reach the exit, an alarm sounds so loudly, they could probably hear it two stores down. I freeze, looking around, utterly confused.

That was the same sound that went off when the babysitter had that necklace in her purse. But I didn’t...

“Ma’am?” It’s the big guy who stands by the entrance. I see now that his ID badge says Bill. “Ma’am, can you step back inside the store please?”

I frown, clutching my handbag to my chest. “Okay, but I don’t know what this is all about…”

“Ma’am, can you please open your purse?”

The few customers in the store have turned to look at me. This is so embarrassing. And the fact that he keeps calling me “ma’am” is only making the situation worse.

“Of course,” I murmur. “But I can assure you, there’s nothing inside.”

Maria has come to join us at the front of the store. Her eyes are cold, but I see a hint of a smile on her lips. I give my purse to Bill, who rifles through it. I feel so exposed. I just want to get this over with and get out of here. I’m starting to feel like this was all a big mistake. I shouldn’t have come here in the first place. This is Maria’s turf. I should have confronted her in a neutral place.

Every set of eyes in the store is on me. I recognize one of the mothers from school. This is not good. I remember when Bill nabbed that babysitter for stealing. The same exact thing happened to her. Everybody passing the store was staring at her as he searched her purse, the same way they’re staring at me now.

And just like back then, Bill pulls a set of silver earrings out of my bag that is clearly from the store.

My heart sinks. Oh no.

“Ma’am,” he says. “I’m going to need you to come to the back with me.”

I can barely gasp for air. “But I didn’t—”

“I’m afraid our policy is that we prosecute all shoplifters.” Maria’s voice is without emotion. “Bill, please call the police.”

My heart is pounding in my chest. A photograph of me kissing another man is bad for my show, but a shoplifting arrest is even worse. Maria knows how horrible this will be for me. It’s exactly what she did to the babysitter—only I know what she’s done.

“You!” I point a finger at her. “You set me up again! You planted the earrings in my bag!”

Bill and Maria exchange looks. I sound like a crazy person. I’m sure that’s what it seems like to everybody in the store.

“Ma’am.” Bill places one of his meaty hands on my upper arm. “I’d like you to come to the back with me.”

I don’t want to go with him, but I don’t have much of a choice. So I let him lead me to a room in the back.





Chapter 28


The back room is about the size of a large bathroom. It looks like a former storage closet. There’s a folding table in the center and two folding chairs. The light overhead is flickering. Bill gestures at one of the folding chairs, and I sit down gingerly.

“I’ll be right back,” he tells me.

Bill leaves me in this tiny room alone and presumably goes to call the police. As I sit there waiting for him, I hear a buzzing sound from inside my purse. It’s a text message. I feel dread in the pit of my stomach as I pull out my phone.



Want to hear a secret? April Masterson is a shoplifter.



A second later, the photograph appears. It’s a picture of me standing by the entrance to the store with the security guard apprehending me. The panicked look on my face and the stern look on his makes it obvious what’s happening.

The photo was taken from inside the store.

A cold feeling washes over me. I imagine this photograph plastered all over the internet. Who would watch my show if this got out there? I’d be humiliated.

I stare down at the photo, gripped with the urge to delete it to keep anyone from knowing my humiliating secret. But that won’t help. Whoever sent me the photo still has it. This text message is my only proof I’m being harassed. I need to save it.

My hands are shaking as I call Elliot. I don’t want to tell him what just happened, but I need his help. Not only is he my husband, but he’s also my lawyer. He’ll know exactly what to do.

Naturally, he doesn’t pick up the first time I call. But after I call two more times, I finally hear his voice. “April, I’m really busy…”