I drive up to the gate and find it’s already open. That’s unusual; Mr. Gardiner used to be very particular about security. My gut says something is wrong. I call Rover. He doesn’t answer so I send a quick message.
Slowly, I pull up the drive. Rover has probably already made it to the house by now. He’s fast.
Instead of sneaking in, I need to get in that house in case Rover is in danger. I park next to the garage. There are a couple of other cars parked there too. Damn it. According to Carter, no one should have been home at this time. One car is Vince’s. I guess things have changed since high school and he’s allowed in the house again. The hood is cold. But the hood of the other car is warm. They didn’t arrive at the same time.
I walk up the front porch and notice the front door is ajar. Now, I know something isn’t right. I don’t hear anything, so I push the door open. If I have to go in search of Rover, I won’t have any issue navigating, I know this house well.
Mr. Gardiner never knew, but when he and his wife would go out of town, Lucy would invite me over. Those are some of my best memories.
“Lawrence!” a woman yells upstairs.
Then a door slams and footsteps head my way. I run to the back of the house as several sets of footsteps thunder down the stairs.
“Lawrence! Wait!” a male voice calls out.
They are coming closer. I duck into the pantry, but keep the door cracked open to see. Lawrence comes into view. I’ve never seen him like this; his face is contorted, though in pain or anger, I can’t tell. Then I see his wife wearing a short, silky robe.
“Lawrence, I never meant for you to find out like this.”
He spins around. That’s definitely rage in his eyes.
“You mean you never meant for me to find out, period.” he shouts. “How long, Valerie?”
“Not long,” a man says as he comes into view.
Vince? He’s only wearing his underwear. Of all the days I decide to come here. Fuck.
Now I have to wait this out. There is no way he can know I witnessed his humiliation.
“Shut up.” Lawrence points at Vince. “How dare you sleep with my wife? Mywife! I know you’ve always wanted everything I had, but I never thought you’d stoop this low.”
Lawrence turns back to his wife. “How long?” he demands again.
“A f-few months,” she stammers.
“A few months?” he yells. He turns away from her, but then spins back around, pulling a gun from his waistband. “I’ll kill you both for this.”
Shit, I have to stop him. I move to push open the pantry door but freeze when I hear Lucy’s voice call from the front.
“Dad? Are you here?”
What the fuck is she doing here?
“Lucy, please leave. I need to reschedule,” he says, his voice much calmer than a moment ago.
Reschedule? This is a planned meeting?
“Dad, don’t be ridiculous.” The smile I hear in Lucy’s voice drops from her face as she steps into view. “Whoa, what is going on? Why are you pointing a gun at Mom?”
“Did you know?” Lawrence snarls at her.
“Know what?” she cries, then looks at her mother and Vince. Her brows furrow. “Why are you in your underwear?” I know the moment she puts it together, the way her eyes widen.
“You’re cheating on Dad?” Lucy steps back, a hand to her mouth. “I can’t believe it.”
“Lucy don’t be so shocked. It isn’t like your dad has been faithful to me.” Valerie crosses her arms. “Ask him where he was last night,” she snaps.
Lawrence laughs. “Oh, that’s great. Air all our dirty laundry, why don’t you? I may have stepped out on occasion, but you know it never meant anything, Valerie. You slept with my brother! You know he’s always wanted what I have. How could you do this?”
