The Wife Stalker(44)
Pulse racing, she hit the Spam button and drew several deep breaths. She could not let this get to her. What the hell was it with these women? Didn’t they know when to quit? Piper’s hand hovered over the mouse while she debated the wisdom of emailing Joanna. But no, it would only fuel the fire. Best to ignore it and move on.
She thought back to the last time she’d seen Ava, about a year ago, right before she’d moved east. Piper had been shopping at Neiman’s in San Diego when she turned and saw her late husband’s ex watching her, a look of pure hatred on her face.
“Well, if it isn’t the black widow!” Ava said with a laugh, then more loudly, “Have you found your next victim yet?”
Piper had spoken in a low whisper, conscious of two women nearby staring at them.
“Ava, please, not here. Why can’t you leave me alone?”
Ava had arched a perfect brow. “What, you think I’m following you? I’ve been shopping here for years. You’re the one who doesn’t belong.” She glanced at the Hermès bag in Piper’s hand. “You can buy designer clothes until you’re blue in the face, but it won’t change who you are inside. They will never cover up the monster you are underneath.”
Piper bit her lip. There was no point in arguing with her. Things would only escalate. Ava had never cared if she made a scene; in fact, she thrived on it. So Piper turned and walked away as fast as she could, her face hot. When she opened the door, a screeching alarm sounded, and she realized she’d forgotten to put back the purse. “Shit!” she swore under her breath. Turning around, she walked over to the counter to set the bag down.
Ava called over to her. “Honestly, Piper. You don’t need to steal. Oh, but that’s right—stealing is what you do best. Other women’s husbands . . . children. Until they’re no good to you, and then you kill them.”
Placing the purse on the counter, Piper strode out as calmly as she could, holding her head up high. She wasn’t going to let Ava and her unhinged rants get to her. But she’d known then that, once again, it was time for her to make a fresh start.
30
Joanna
I wanted to go over to the house and try to talk reason into Leo, to make him understand that I needed the children and they needed me. But Janice promised me she’d look into some other options and she convinced me that by going over to the house I’d be jeopardizing my chances of ever seeing the children again. And I’m sure that that’s exactly what Piper would want me to do. I debated going to Leo with what I’d found out about Piper from Ava, but I worried Piper would just come up with a good story. After all, if the authorities hadn’t found enough evidence to charge her with anything, it was unlikely that someone as completely under her spell as Leo would believe it.
Taking a sip of coffee, I heard my mother’s footsteps on the stairs and looked at my watch. Ten thirty. She had never been an early riser. I’d always gotten myself off to school, making my own breakfast and packing a lunch before catching the bus. Sometimes she was awake when I got home, but often she’d be napping because of her chronic fatigue. My father and I used to cook in the evenings when he wasn’t traveling, and I loved those times with him. He loved seafood and taught me how to butterfly shrimp, make a perfect pot of clam chowder, and fillet a fish. Sometimes, we’d make the fluffiest pancakes on Sunday mornings while Mom stayed in her room sleeping. But those times with him were too few and far between.
“Good morning. How did you sleep?” I asked as she came into the room wrapped in a brown terry-cloth robe. Her leg was healed, but she still favored the other one.
“Terribly, as usual,” she replied. She plopped down opposite me on a leather chair whose stuffing was peeking through its cracks. “I know the doctor said I’m all better, but it still hurts. Stupid doctors. What do they know?”
“I’m sorry. Do you want to take some aspirin? That might help.”
She grunted. “Hmph. Nothing helps.”
“Can I get you some coffee?”
“Not yet. I just need to sit for a little.” She leaned against the back of the chair and eyed me. “So . . . what are your big plans for the day?”
“No plans. I’ve been feeling so sad this morning. I dreamed about Stelli and Evie last night. I miss them so much it hurts. I miss Leo, too, even though I know I shouldn’t.”
“I’m sorry that he’s keeping you from the kids. It’s heartless. But Leo only cares about what he wants. He’s selfish, just like all men. Just like your father.”
“Leo is not like him.”
“He doesn’t care about you. You need to face it, honey. He left you. Just like your father left us.” She rose heavily from the chair, shaking her head, and left me to sit and brood. Her words made me think back to my high school graduation day, when Mom and Dad were both happy, and even seemed to be getting along for a change. Right before we left the house for the ceremony, my father stopped by my room, where I was putting the finishing touches on my hair.
“Jo, let me look at you.”
I turned to him and smiled, my lips bright with the new pink gloss I’d bought the day before.
“You’re so grown up. My baby’s all grown up.” He sat down on my bed, looking around the room. “I still remember the day you decided you wanted red walls. Remember?”