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Cute Little Butt
I awakeat seven o’clock to a naked ass pointed in my direction.
Part of the pillow wall fell away during the night and had somehow been kicked into the floor, so the first thing I see when my eyes flutter open are two perfectly round, hairless butt cheeks.
I sigh a lamenting sigh and peel myself from the bed. Shuffle over to the suitcase to look through my options. My gaze lands on a pair of running shorts and then lift to the window in front of me. It’s supposed to be another pretty day, and I could use a walk.
A solo one.
My eyes drift back to Jake who’s still far, far away in playboy dreamland. As if to punctuate that thought, he snores, and I cover my mouth to keep from laughing.
If he farts, I’m getting a separate room, ‘strange’ or not.
After getting dressed in the shorts and a tank, I make my way toward the kitchen for some water but my feet halt in the living room when I hear the commotion—glass clinking, pots and pans banging, a rush of murmured voices with a louder one spouting orders over them—Ruby. They’re preparing for the brunch.
I turn and head out the front door instead.
The morning air is as chilly as it was last evening and I immediately cuss myself for not thinking to grab a sweatshirt, but I do a light stretch, stick my wireless earbuds into place, and start toward the path around the lake.
When I round the side of the house, I see the backyard near the pool is already teeming with workers getting tables set up for later. Magnolia is the one spouting orders outside. I’m sure she wants everything to be just perfect for her benefit brunch-slash-running for commissioner announcement.
I feel her attention catch on me as I make my way past the pool but don’t look up or acknowledge. I press the play button on the recording of Meaghan’s interview and break into a brisk walk. It’s been far too long since I’ve actually jogged and am afraid if I do I won’t be able to make it back.
The recording picks up where it left off, but I back it up a little to get my bearings:
Meaghan: When I woke up, I saw Mr. Mitchell dragging Jake out of the BMW from the passenger side, and the older sister, Ruby, was opening my door and assessing. She’s a doctor, you know.
Me: Yes, I know.
Meaghan: The mom was right behind her.
Me: Magnolia Mitchell. Were there any ambulances? Officers?
Meaghan: No. Not yet. They didn’t get there until after…
A pause.
Me: After what, Mrs. Slaughter?
Meaghan: I…
She had a hard time saying, and I suspected it was because she didn’t think I’d believe her.
Me: After what?
Meaghan: After Ruby pulled something out of her purse.
Me: What was it?
I remember the way my heart kicked into a gallop at this part, and it spurs my brisk walk into a power walk.
Meaghan: Some kind of syringe.
Me: Like a needle?
Meaghan: Yes, a needle.
Me: What did she do with it?
