Do Not Disturb

by Freida McFadden

“I can’t talk, Rosie.” His voice is low and serious. “The police are here.”

“Why? What’s going on?”

The silence on the other line seems to last for an eternity before he answer...

“Dead? What are you talki...

There are muffled voices in the background. “I’ve got to go. I’ll...

I watch all morning, intermittently browsing my phone to see if there are any news stories about her, except I don’t even know her last name. They bring out the stretcher, with a sheet covering the body underneath.

The door swings open and there they are. My husband and the police officer. The officer is about Nick’s height, with dark hair and imposing dark eyes. He’s absolutely terrifying.

“Been better.” He sinks down onto the bed and puts the plate down next to him. “Rosie, you don’t think that I…?”

I wasn’t going to say anything. I planned to keep my silence till the day we died, but I can't do it. I have to tell him. “I saw you.”

“...

“I saw you at the dumpster,” I say. “In the middle of the night two nights ago. At three in the mornin...

The panic spreads across his handsome features. “I was takin...

“At three in the morning? Do you thin...

“I was.” His hands are shaking as he tugs at his T-shirt hem. “Look, I got distracted by, you know, what happened with Christina, and I forgot to take it out to the dumpster. The truck arrives early in the morning, an...

“But how come you told me you were getting some air? You lied.”

“I know.” He squeezes his knees. “I lied to you. But I didn’t want to remind you about what I had done—why

why I’d been too distracted to take out the trash—and it j...

He shakes his head. “What do you think I was throwing out?”

“I don’t know. Bloody clothing that you were wearing.”

“Ro...

“You aske...

“I didn’t kill her.” His voice sounds choked. “I swear to you. I’d never do anything like that. The police think I did it, but…” He buries his ...

“N...

He raises his face to look at me. “Please tell me you believe me. Tell me you do...

“I believe you,” I lie.

That psychic at the carnival was right. My husband is a murderer. And it’s all because of me.

My heart is pounding as I watch him. But Nick isn’t doing anything wrong. They’re just sitting together and talking. There’s nothing wrong with talking. Until they start kissing.

The blond woman’s car is still there.

Well, that’s strange. I assumed when I saw somebody else in her room, she must’ve checked out. And Nick himself said that she was very eager to leave. Now that the plow has done its job, why hasn’t she taken off?

And that’s when something falls out of the pile of shirts that was already in the drawer. It’s a phone. I pick it up and turn it over in my hand. It’s a burner phone. One of those phones you get when you don’t want somebody to track you. What the hell is my wife doing with a burner phone?

I can’t wait to see you. What the…? I sink onto the bed as I read through the text messages one by one. It gets much worse. She just went out. See you soon! Rob won’t be home till late. Come over. I can’t wait to get you naked. You’re all I can think about.

And then the phone rings.

“Mr. Delaney, this is Officer Higgins. We found this phone number on a burner phone in the pocket of your brother-in-law, Derek Alexander.”

“Found it where?” The answer to this question is going to get Claudia in a world of trouble. But I can’t lie. Even if I wanted to, I wouldn’t. “I found it in Claudia’s dresser drawer.” There’s another long silence on the other line. I can only imagine the conversation going on right now. “Where are you, Mr. Delaney?” Dwyer finally says. “I… I’m home.” “Is your wife there as well?” “No…” “Are you expecting her home soon?” “I didn’t even expect her not to be here.” I let out a laugh that sounds strangled. “But yeah, I think she’ll be home soon.” “Don’t go anywhere, Mr. Delaney. I’m on my way.”

Oh my nooooooo. Claudia!!!!

I sit on the loveseat across from him. Claudia is always saying we need new furniture. Every time she goes over to Quinn’s house, she goes on a rant about how our stuff isn’t as nice as theirs. But our stuff is fine. You don’t have to own a ten thousand dollar leather sofa.

“Were you and Claudia close with Derek and Quinn?” “Claudia and Quinn were close.” I cough into my hand. “Well, I thought they were.” “Do you think Claudia could have hurt Quinn?” I frown. “Wait. Do you think Claudia might have been the one who stabbed Derek? And… done something to Quinn?” Deputy Dwyer folds his arms across his chest. “We’re just trying to explore every possibility.” “Oh,” I breathe. “Yeah, okay. Makes sense.” “Do you think she might have, Mr. Delaney? Do you think she’s capable of it?” I reach out and touch the scar on my hairline. The one that required five stitches in the emergency room. “Yes,” I say. “She’s capable of it.”

I had it all planned out perfectly yesterday. I had a two o’clock massage client. And as soon as I finished with her, I was going to head over to Quinn’s monstrosity of a house.

Yes, it’s true. I’ve been sleeping with my sister’s husband for the last six months.

I can’t even think about it. The sight of his dead body lying on the kitchen floor will be burned in my eyes forever. That bitch.

Freaking freida always putting these crazy twist

Derek is superb in bed. Quinn never even mentioned that to me—she didn’t even appreciate it. I started sleeping with him because… Well, long story short, I hate my sister. Surprise, surprise.

Whenever I would see Quinn with Derek, I would think of the guy I got stuck with—the balding plumber—and feel a surge of jealousy. Why did her life have to work out so well and mine so badly?

She just didn’t get it. She didn’t appreciate everything I gave up for her. She never even thanked me.

“You’re a masseuse, right?” he said.

“Yes,” I managed. Men rarely left me breathless, but there was something about Derek.

He rubbed at his shoulder. “You know, I have this terrible crick in my neck. I was wondering...

“I could do that.” My body tingled at the thought of getting Derek on my massage table. “...

“How about rig...

“I don’t have my massa...

His lips quirk up. “Couldn’t we u...

I felt suddenly breathless, but I managed to nod....