Thirty Days of Red

  “Do you expect me to be with someone who blackmails me?”

  “Don’t be so judgmental. Have you forgotten how you tried to kill your husband?” he mocks.

  “You have no proof of that.”

  “I can show them recordings of you asking me to fuck Emily’s brains off.”

  A cold shiver runs through my spine, and I’m now convinced I should get rid of Aiden. “What is it that you want?”

  “Like I said, fifty thousand, and once you kill him, I’ll need the rest of it.”

  “All right. Pick up the check now.”

  “That’s my girl. I’ll be there in two hours.”

  Phone gripped against my chest, I ask myself what am I going to do with him? I stare at the stack of cards from the nurses I work with in the hospital, all offering their encouragement and smile. Being a nurse has its perks.

  * * *

  My fellow nurses greet me at the hospital and are surprised that I’m back to work.

  Tia, the head nurse, pulls me toward the corner. “I heard what happened,” she whispers. “Is there anything we can do to help?”

  “The detectives are trying their best to find David. I came here because I needed to get away from it all.” I dab my cheeks. “I won’t stay long though.”

  “Sure. I’m here if you need me.” She gives me a tight hug.

  When nobody is looking, I slip into the supply room and approach the syringe cabinet. I spot the syringes and bury them inside my purse. Drawers opened, I find potassium chloride and add it inside my bag.

  I’m back making my rounds where I do small talk with each of the nurses. They extend comforting words and offer their support. The nurses respect how much I value my privacy, but they make it clear to me they are a phone call away if I need them.

  * * *

  Back at home, my mother-in-law sends me a text. She’ll be taking the red eye flight that evening.

  My doorbell rings, and wearing a black satin robe laced with perfume, I welcome Aiden.

  He nuzzles my neck and steps inside. “Boy, I missed you.” Aiden grabs me by the waist and kisses me.

  “I missed you too.” I escort him upstairs.

  “Fine place you got here.” From behind, he follows me. “Do you have my money?”

  “I do.” Tracing my fingers on his arms, I add, “But I want you first.” My robe slips to the floor, revealing my naked body.

  He beams then pushes me to the bed and kisses my neck.

  I move back and lie on my pillow, my hand reaching for the syringe underneath. He continues to kiss me. My bare chest exposed, he rubs me with his frolicking hands and licks down my body. I moan and pull him up so I can kiss him, but Aiden insists on going down. Wiggling my toes, I can’t lose control, but I really do want him.

  He spreads my thighs and bends his head on my cherry. I don’t know if I can kill him, but he is a distraction to my plan. I enjoy the last moments of him eating me till he moves up and kisses me hard and thrusts inside me.

  “Yes,” I moan.

  Counting till ten, I reach for the syringe underneath my pillow and plunge it directly on Aiden’s neck. I push all the potassium chloride into him. He stares at me with eyes wide. I pull my body away from him and push him so he can lie flat.

  “What did you do to me?” He gasps for air.

  I lean on top of him and whisper into his ear, “There was no need for me to do this, Aiden. If only you didn’t blackmail me, none of this would have happened.”

  “Liv!” His body freezes, and his eyes become still.

  “Nobody will know. It will look like you had a heart attack.”

  Aiden struggles to say something, but he releases his last breath, his eyes still open.

  I shut his eyes. Now I need to dispose of Aiden’s body. Shit! I dash to the bathroom and take fresh towels with water and soap then scrub his groin, mouth, and body.

  In a hurry, I burn the syringe, erasing any trace of potassium chloride, pick up the phone and call Christopher. “I need you to come here now.”

  It only takes twenty minutes for Christopher to arrive, and he’s dumbfounded when he spots Aiden dead in my bed.

  Pacing around the room, I raise my hands in the air. “I met him on the cruise. He helped me forget about my situation.”

  “No wonder he looked familiar,” Christopher says.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but I need your help now.”

  “We need to call 911.”

  “Christopher, you know I can’t say I was having an affair. Not with my situation,” I plead.

  Beads of moisture form on Christopher’s forehead. “Gosh, Liv, what on earth did you get yourself into?”

  “We need to make it appear that he was your lover.”

  “My lover?” Christopher rests his hands on his chest.

  “Yes, please, Christopher. This is the biggest favor I’m going to ask you. And you’re going to tell them he passed out while you were making love in my bedroom.”

  “Whoa, hold on.” He jerks away. “Are you crazy?”

  “Please, Christopher. It’s not like I killed him. He died while we were having―”

  He cuts me off. “I don’t know how I’m going to ever sleep again.”

  “I owe you one.” I glance at my watch, relieved it’s only been thirty minutes since the event happened and it’s nice to have a best friend handy when you need him.

  * * *

  What a day! The paramedics come and collect Aiden. Christopher is sobbing, and I’m there to console him while they ask questions. They want information about his immediate family, but Christopher can offer none. He explains he met Aiden in a casual encounter, and this was their first date.

  “I don’t know how I will explain this to Patrick,” Christopher says before bidding me goodbye.

  I don’t offer a solution, glad I’ve gotten rid of Aiden. My next goal is to purge Emily.

  30

  Day 15

  David

  I’m so glad I spent time with Emily last night. It convinced me all the more that she’s the woman for me and how much I want to move forward with my life.

  Mark shows up at my motel room with food, clothes, and supplies.

  “Thanks, bud! I don’t know what I’d do without you.” I escort him inside and inspect to see if anyone trailed him.

  “Don’t worry. Nobody followed me.” He plops himself on the chair.

  I lock the door and turn on the TV. “Why can’t I watch something where my face is not displayed on the screen? It’s insane.”

  “This has to end soon, David.”

  “It will. Have you thought about my plan?”

  He folds his arms. “How are you going to pull this off?”

  After removing my grimy shirt, I replace it with a fresh clean one. “I’m going to dab my blood on this shirt and you’re going to dump it a few miles outside my house so someone can see it.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me? You’ll need a lot of blood for that.”

  Removing the contents from the bag, I apply the latex gloves. I remove the bread knife. “This should do it.”

  “There’s still no body.”

  “That’s precisely it. I’m going to plant this knife in our dumpster when Liv’s out. Once you dump the shirt, I’ll send an anonymous tip to the detective handling the case. They’ll find the shirt and then go search the house.”

  “Whoa, whoa, this is getting too complicated. When do you plan to do this?”

  “Now. You’ll need to help me scrape some skin so I can get enough blood.”

  Mark raises his hands in the air. “I’m not scraping anything. I’ll take care of dumping your shirt.”

  “Okay, but I need you to get Liv out of the house so I can do this fast.”

  Mark agrees and bids me goodbye.

  I don’t recommend anyone scraping his skin. Opting for the back of my arm near my elbow, God knows how much I yelled, but I’m able to get enough blood to soak a shirt. I tuck the br
ead knife inside a hand towel. The garbage collectors won’t come for another five days so we’re safe.

  Two tablets of Tylenol don’t dissolve the pain throbbing from my arm. Maybe I’m crazy to do this, but my determination keeps me going. I’d love to see the look on Liv’s face when she gets the call or when the news flashes, “Bloody shirt of Olivia Walters’ husband found…”

  The phone rings, and I’m eager to speak to Mark.

  Emily pants. “I can’t take this anymore. Aiden keeps texting me that if I don’t come and see him tomorrow, he’ll threaten to tell the cops I’m the woman you had an affair with. He wants to take me to his cabin.”

  I sigh. “They’re going to find out sooner or later.”

  “I don’t want this exposure. My dad’s going to hate me, and I’ll have cops coming to my house. I don’t want to deal with this.”

  She’s right. She didn’t deserve this pressure. “Tell Aiden you’ll meet with him in a public place, but not his cabin.”

  “He can always put a gun on my head and try to kill me if I don’t comply to his demands.”

  She’s right again. Boy, is she smart. “Honey, give me an hour. I need to think this through. I promise I won’t disappoint you.”

  The clock is ticking and still no call from Mark. Finally, after fifteen minutes, the phone rings. “It’s done.” He hangs up.

  Good, the shirt now rests in an alley two blocks from my house.

  After I put on my cap, hooded jacket, and gloves, I barge out the door. A cold shiver runs through my spine as I tiptoe to my house. I remind myself I’m just an ordinary person walking around. Nobody should notice me, but I keep my eyes open. It’s seven o’clock, and people are inside having dinner.

  I’m fast approaching my house, and the lights are on. Liv’s inside for sure. Taking two more steps, I dump the paper bag with its contents inside the dumpster. Using Liv’s old cell phone, I send an email to the detective from an alias email about the tip. Then I smash the cell phone and dump it in the trash as well.

  Liv will get what she deserves.

  31

  Day 16

  David

  I’m so busy surfing channels to see if there’s anything on the news I forget to call Emily back until the next morning.

  She picks up after one ring. “You promised to call me in an hour last night.”

  “Sorry.” I tell her about what happened, still watching TV. “Is Aiden bugging you?”

  “He stopped when I told him I want to meet him at a public place.”

  The news flashes an announcement.

  “Turn on your TV to channel five. Let me call you back.”

  Two cops drag Liv outside as the reporter announces, “We are now outside Olivia Walters’ house where they found a bloody knife inside her garbage bin.” The camera zooms in on the garbage can. “Earlier today, the police also found a bloody shirt two blocks from the Walters’ house.”

  “Woohoo. Bitch.”

  The reporter inches toward Liv. “What can you say about these developments?”

  Liv yells, “You need to ask David’s girlfriend, Emily Scott. She should know.”

  Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!

  The cops push her inside the car, but she’s still shouting. “Stop treating me like I’m a murderer. There’s no body.”

  The camera focuses on the crowd and then on a woman crying.

  Mom?

  “David, I hope you’re alive. Please come home,” she pleads.

  I turn off the TV and lie on my bed. Guilt showers upon me. I wish my mom never would have seen this. Mom and Emily, the two most important women in my life are damaged now. I will do anything and everything to make my life normal again.

  32

  Day 16

  Liv

  I’m inside a hot cell, fuming while waiting for the results of the DNA from the shirt and knife. How could David do this to me? It’s my fault for getting distracted with Aiden. I freaked out when the cops came to the house, presuming it was because of Aiden, and it turned out to be this. But this time, they need to focus on Emily. Where is my fucking lawyer? They can’t just fuck with me here. I’m going to get you for this, David.

  As I pace around the cell like a caged animal, I device a plan. David is playing with me and intends to twist my mind. I need to be on guard and keep my aces hidden.

  The guard approaches the cell with Detective Reed behind him.

  “Where’s my lawyer?” I ask.

  The guard unlocks the bolt.

  “You’re free to go,” Detective Reeds says.

  I’m taken aback but don’t show it.

  Detective Reed escorts me outside. “We didn’t find any other DNA aside from David’s on his shirt.”

  “Thank God!”

  “Yes, and there’s nothing in your house. Do you think David is still alive? Does he have any enemies? Who do you think would do this to David? To you?”

  I face her. “You need to look into Emily Scott. She should know about David’s whereabouts.”

  “And why didn’t you mention her before?”

  I avert my gaze to the ground. “My husband was having an affair. It’s painful for me to bring it up.”

  She doesn’t flinch.

  “C’mon. You’re the detective here. You need to get to the bottom of this,” I say, raising my voice.

  * * *

  I’m glad to be home, but that doesn’t keep me from planning my next move.

  My mother-in-law comes running to me from the kitchen. “I’m so glad you’re home. I can’t believe David would disappear like that. He loves you, and I hope he’s okay.”

  I frown. “I’m sorry, Mom. I need to rest.”

  “Wait. There’s someone in the kitchen who needs to see you. She said she’s an old friend of yours.”

  My head is spinning, and all I want to do is curl up in bed and sleep. “Who is she?”

  A tall, slim woman with long auburn hair pops out from the kitchen. “Hello, Olivia.”

  My heart stops. Where have I seen her before?

  My mother-in-law excuses herself and heads to her bedroom.

  The lady approaches me. “I’m Ruby, Aiden’s sister.”

  I freeze, remembering the woman Aiden was arguing with in Rome. How the hell did she find me? “I’m so sorry for your loss.”

  Her lips form a thin line. “Aiden told me about you. He even sent photos.” She’s starting to shout.

  My gaze shifts to my mother-in-law’s bedroom, hoping she doesn’t hear us. “Can I offer you some tea, coffee?” I fumble for words.

  Her eyes spell anger. “I only need an explanation. I read the police report, and it said Aiden had a heart attack after having sex with a gay man in your house.” She points a finger at me. “Aiden is not gay. I will get to the bottom of this.”

  Raising my hands in the air, I say, “Aiden was a good man, but I guess you didn’t know that side to him.”

  She folds her arms, as if she’s not convinced about what I just told her. “I can guarantee you I will not stop investigating about what happened. I suspect you are a part of it.”

  I take a deep breath. “Are you threatening me?”

  “Isn’t it weird that your husband is missing and now Aiden is dead?”

  I approach the front door. “Please get out of my house!”

  She marches outside. “I will return once I have evidence you killed my brother.”

  “I hope to never see your face again.”

  After she leaves, I lean my back against the door. This isn’t happening. I need to learn how to multitask and prioritize how to better handle my enemies. Ruby is another weed that needs to be mowed.

  33

  Day 17

  David

  Emily isn’t taking any of my calls. I tried to protect her, but now she’s involved too deep.

  Next, I call Mark.

  “Dude.” He talks like he’s had five cups of coffee. “You can’t keep calling me. I’m afraid they’ll tap my phon
e.”

  “Relax.” I raise my legs onto the table. “Would you be able to check on Emily? She isn’t returning my calls, and I’m worried the press and detectives are bothering her.”

  “How is this going to end, David? Why don’t you just tell the police the truth? Liv tried to kill you.”

  I pause. Mark is right. This isn’t a game, and people I love are getting hurt. “Will the cops believe me? It’s my word against hers.”

  “You have to try, David. This is going too far now.”

  “Do you think you can get Emily and I fake passports?”

  “Are you fucking kidding me?” Mark yells. “Why do you want to live like a fugitive when you’re not? And what makes you think Emily will do this for you?”

  Why am I being a pussy? Why am I so afraid of Liv? “You don’t know what Liv is capable off, Mark. She’ll come to you when you’re not looking. She’s already tried that. I need to get this right.”

  Mark sighs. “Then whatever it is you need to do, don’t waste time.”

  I dash to the bathroom, remove my bandage, and eye my wound. Still fresh. Definitely can’t waste time. How long can I stay in the motel without running out of money? “I won’t. Please check on Emily for me.”

  * * *

  I’m digging through the old files at the library with a cap and glasses on, hoping nobody recognizes me. I remember a story Liv told me about how her adoptive parents died when she was sixteen. She said there was a fire, and she was the only one who survived.

  The news displayed that in 1998 there was a fire in Fresno, California. As I narrow down the search, a clipping pops up and displays the story of a young Olivia and her dead adoptive parents. I read the article and cover my mouth. The suspicion? Arson by Liv. The other sites reveal the same implication. Just as I expected, Liv must have convinced everyone she was innocent.

  The article also reveals Liv suffered from post-traumatic stress and was undergoing therapy. Liv never exposed strange behavior when we were dating.