Page 123 of Burning Caine

“Your neighbor?”

Olivia’s eyes narrowed, the sad widow replaced by the woman the painter had told me about. “That witch was after my husband for years! Came to the house every week for tea and to flirt with him!”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Lucy smiling. She’d have to learn to control herself.

“You’re right, we were having financial problems. Kathy told you, didn’t she? Always listening at that fence, eavesdropping on us. Waiting for me to go out, so she could sneak over and try to seduce Bobby!”

She stabbed a finger on the photo. “That little whore showed up in this jacket one day. Just as I was getting home, she pranced up the driveway in the jacket and nothing else!”

I folded my arms, not trusting her as far as I could throw her. “Are you sure, Olivia?”

“I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life!”

As her voice grew louder, David barged in. “Mother?”

Olivia turned to face him, flipping the photo upside down in such a fluid movement, David didn’t see it. “David, I’m fine. Please wait outside.”

“I heard—”

“Outside, David.” His puffed chest collapsed, and he skulked out, sitting so hard I felt it. She was not the misty-eyed widow. And David was not the strong, forceful one.

“Did they have an affair?”

Olivia remained quiet for a few seconds before responding. “Yes. He swore it didn’t last long.”

She flipped the photo to look at it again. “She heard us talking about selling the Chagall. After he died, she threatened me. Give her fifty thousand dollars or she’d tell everyone about…” She paused again, tight-lipped, and blinked rapidly. “About the affair.”

“What did you say?” The tightness started behind my eyes, as though tears were on their way. As guilty as she was and as much as she’d lied, she was heart-broken, just like me.

“No matter what happened, I loved Bobby, and I will not allow her to smear his good name. Even if he tarnished it himself. I told her I’d pay her.”

“Olivia, do you think Kathy could be responsible for the fire?”

“Yes, I do.”

“And do you think it’s possible she killed your husband?”

Olivia gasped and put both hands to her mouth. “Not if she thought she could have him. But if he’d broken her heart––”

“Love makes people do strange things.” My voice broke for a moment. I peeked at my watch. What time was Antonio’s flight leaving? Was it too late to change my mind?

I forced an even tone, trying to maintain my upper hand. “Alright, Olivia. You committed insurance fraud. That’s a felony. Your best bet at this point would be to help the police catch the person who started the fire at your house.”

Chapter 49

Antonio

Istoodatthetop of the escalator, past security at the airport. Looking down at the crowd of loved ones, every hug, kiss, and tearful goodbye broke my heart a little more. I kept watching. Maybe she would come running after me, like at the end of a movie.

It wouldn’t happen, but there was still hope. She hadn’t returned a single call, text, or email. Likely blocked my number. All that was left was the chance she had read my letter and believed me. Believed my apology, my request she wait for me.

Did I even deserve it?

A lie. Just as she had said. There had been a lie between us since the day she handed over the burned painting. And so many lies after that day. No argument, except with myself. I could hardly blame Papa or Sofia. I should have told her the truth. I had ruined my chance with the woman I was meant to be with. Eleven long years of her being my companion when my heart broke and now I was alone.

The minutes passed while I waited, stretching into an hour, until my flight was called.

I could be the one to play out the movie scene and chase after her, on my knees again to beg for forgiveness, but it wouldn’t end with happily ever after. She would tell me to leave her alone. She would remind me about honesty and trust. All I would accomplish would be missing my flight.