Page 126 of Hell Hath No Fury

“What do you know about Ashley and Sonny Jones’s relationship?”

Eric seemed puzzled. “They’ve been together since high school.”

Matthias already knew that much.

“Why are you asking?”

“Fran Goodwin says Jones abused Ashley.”

Eric appeared ready to dismiss the allegation, but he closed his mouth and frowned in thought. “I’ve never seen any evidence of it, but I’m well aware of his temper when he was drunk. I experienced it firsthand. It’s not such a huge stretch to think he’d aim his anger at his wife.”

“Is it possible that Ashley killed her husband?”

“Of course not—” Eric cut himself off. “I mean, I don’t think…”

“If she thought Daphne was in danger,” Matthias said, speaking slowly, deliberately, “is it possible that Ashley could kill her husband?”

All color drained from Eric’s face. “Oh my God.” He swallowed. “But Emma and Nell should be safe. They’re no threat to Daphne. Or to Ashley.”

Matthias pulled out his phone and thumbed Emma’s number.

* * *

“Whatcha doin’?”

Emma looked up into Daphne’s young quizzical face and forced a smile. “I lost my contact.” Emma winced. It was the most clichéd excuse in the world, but it was the first response that came to her mind. Would a six-year-old even know what a contact was?

Daphne did indeed appear clueless and merely said, “Oh.”

Emma looked toward the kitchen door. Nell was still chattering away. Thank heavens for her gift of gab, as their father had called it. When they were kids, Nell could talk for hours about everything and anything. And nothing.

Assuming Ashley hadn’t heard her daughter come out of her room, Emma sat back on her heels, placing her almost at eye level with Daphne. “My name’s Emma.”

“I’m Daphne.”

Emma took her first good look at the child and noticed the large discoloration taking up the left side of her face. The bruise had faded to yellowish green. Emma reached toward her, but she drew back. “What happened?” Emma asked softly.

Daphne looked down at her feet. “I’m not allowed to tell.”

Emma shot a glance at the kitchen door. Still no Ashley. Touching one of the indentations in the carpet, she asked, “Did there used to be a glass coffee table here?”

Daphne shook her head, leading Emma to think she’d been wrong, but then she replied, “I’m not allowed to tell about that either.”

“That’s okay.” Emma gave her a smile. “I understand how important it is to keep secrets.”

Daphne relaxed. “Mommy would be mad if I told.”

“Get back to your room.”

Both Daphne and Emma jumped at Ashley’s icy tone. She stood in the kitchen doorway clutching a massive knife at her side.

Emma’s phone vibrated in her hip pocket.

Ashley wasn’t brandishing the knife as a weapon. It merely hung next to her thigh, but the look in her eyes told Emma now was not the time to make any sudden moves.

“I said, get back to your room.”

“I’m sorry, Mommy.” Head down, shoulders hunched, Daphne scurried away.