Death Row (Alibis Collection, #1)

by Freida McFadden

First, I am currently on death row for murdering my husband. Second, my attorney has filed one last appeal, but if that is rejected, I will be executed by lethal injection in two weeks. And last, I am innocent. I didn’t kill my husband.

“Can’t we try again? Don’t I get unlimited appeals on a death sentence?” Bowman considers my request for only a moment. “We can try if you want, Talia. But at this point, I would say there’s no hope.” He pauses meaningfully. “Sometimes it’s better to let go than to drag it out.” Drag it out? The man is talking about my life, for God’s sake!

I look back one last time at the man in the dark suit. He’s talking to the redheaded inmate, his attention focused on her, but then, just as Rhea is pulling me from the room, he raises his eyes to meet mine. Oh my God. It’s Noel.

I never actually saw Noel’s body and confirmed that it was him. The police told me they used DNA to positively identify his scorched remains, but all I have to go on is what they told me. What if the DNA evidence was wrong? What if it wasn’t Noel who burned to death in that house?

I’ve got to get home before my husband does. If I don’t, Noel is going to die, and it will be all my fault.

Rhea gives me a pitying look. She doesn’t believe me, and it’s clear that nobody else will either. Noel has fooled everybody into thinking he is dead, and if nothing happens in the next twenty-four hours, I will be the one who is dead.

“I didn’t kill my husband. I’m innocent.” Albert is quiet for a moment, his fingers frozen on the syringe that will paralyze my muscles. He exchanges looks with Rhea and then lets out a deep sigh. “Yes,” he says, “we know.”

my eyes are so blurry from crying that I don’t notice the stop sign partially concealed by an overgrown tree, and before I can get out the words to tell him I’ll be home soon, a Mack truck going much too fast slams into my car.