Page 34 of Little Twisted Things

Fifty percent done.

“How about the following Tuesday at one p.m.?”

Seventy-five percent done.

“I’m so sorry. I forgot to mention that my husband wants to be there. After all, he is the one paying for it.” I smiled. “Do you do evening appointments?”

Ninety-five percent done.

“I do. I have a six-thirty appointment available three weeks from today.”

Complete.

“Perfect.”

Her phone rang. “This is another client, and I must take the call. Hi, Maggie. Can you hold on a second? Thanks. Just leave your address with Randi, and I’ll see you in three weeks.”

“Will do.” I smiled.

I walked out of her office and kept walking.

“Have a good day.” I smiled at Randi.

“You too.”

The following morning, I stepped into the gallery to go on with my day as if Bart Rexley wasn’t going to die tonight.

“How are you feeling?” Tess asked.

“Much better.” I smiled. “I’m sure it was just a virus.”

“Or maybe something else.” A grin spread across her face.

“Something else?” My brows furrowed.

“Maybe you’re pregnant.”

I laughed. “I can guarantee you one hundred percent I’m not pregnant.”

“Oh. Then I guess it was a virus.”

While Tess was in the back, going over paperwork, I pulled out my phone and sent Bart a text message, making it look like it came from Celia.

“We need to talk, Bart.”

“Good morning to you too, babe. What about?”

“I’d rather not discuss it over text. Come over tonight.”

“Is everything okay?”

“Yes. I just need to talk to you about something. It’s important. I have an appointment with a client this evening, but I should be home around nine o’clock.”

“I’ll head over to you then from the office.”

After work, I went home and had some dinner. As I was gathering my tools, my phone rang. Alex was calling.

“Hello.”