Page 24 of Justified Lies

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The bowling ball that had lodged in Gabe’s throat plummeted down to his stomach. He watched as Lianna walked down Tim’s steps with a big smile plastered on her face. The kids were currently together at a birthday party, so she was home alone. He had been keen to get over here as soon as possible to support Lianna while she filed the police report. The vanilla latte in the cup holder was evidence of the one stop he allowed himself to make her smile. Seems she didn’t need his help with that after all.

Did you think that she was sitting at home pining for you?

That is exactly what he thought, or at least hoped, even though he wasn’t supposed to. After yesterday, he had been so confident that she reciprocated some of his feelings. Now it appeared that she was not being honest about her relationship with the creep next door. It explained why the neighbor’s eyeswere so possessive when Gabe confronted him, why Lianna was so apologetic.

The big SUV wheels screeched as he turned into her driveway. Lianna arrived back at her house as he was slowing to a stop. She didn’t even bother to look surprised to see him, instead she waved then opened her massive front door, leaving it ajar for him.

“I’m on to your game,” he said to no one.

Gabe threw his car into “park” with a jerk. He opened and slammed the door with all the gusto of a teenager who had just been grounded on a Friday night. Stomping towards her house, he was surprised the overhanging tree branches didn’t ignite from the sparks shooting from his ears.

Giving the front door a shove, it opened fully and there she was. Lianna was waiting for him with a smile, leaning against the entryway table looking as cool as a cucumber. Without a backwards glance, he nudged the door shut behind him with his foot.

“What’s wrong?” Lianna stood straight, her smile quickly fading.

“Why didn’t you just tell me?” he demanded through clenched teeth.

“Tell you what?”

“About the neighbor?”

“What about her?”

“Him. What about him? I was actually concerned.”

Gabe spent hours in interrogation training and had more practice in making a suspect talk than he cared to admit. But now he was too irate to stop and think. Lianna’s innocent act was fueling his fire and he had no idea where he was going with this line of questioning.

“If he’s socreepy,” he said the word in a mock female voice, but he was so agitated it just sounded like an odd screech, “why did you look so happy leaving there?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Why can Inotbe happy?” She made a show of throwing her hands up and letting them fall to her side. “I brought him some banana bread to say sorry foryourbad attitude last week.” She thrust a finger in his direction.

“I thought I told you not to talk to him,” he retorted with all the authority of a wet blanket.

“First of all, you said not to let him in the house, which I didn’t. Second…” she held up another long finger, “you’re not the boss of me.”

“Oh, that’s mature.”

The irony didn’t escape him that he was standing in a dark hallway arguing with her because his feelings were hurt. It must not have escaped her notice either.

“Mature? You’re standing here yelling at me for bringing his wife bread!”

“What do you mean his wife?” Gabe barked the question but considered for the first time that he may have misjudged the situation.

“Tim wasn’t there.” She gestured in the direction of the neighbors harshly. “So, I left it with Diane, his wife, and said sorry the big brute with me last week was such a jerk!”

Gabe started, then closed his mouth, then started again, but his brain had abandoned him in his time of need.

“Believe it or not, some people don’t relish conflict. They would prefer to get along with, you know, other human beings.” Lianna’s cheeks were rounding the corner quickly from pink to red.

“I just thought… you were smiling and…” He couldn’t get the rest out.

Embarrassment swept in like a tidal wave washing away his anger. She looked at him like he had fifteen heads.

“Why do you care all of a sudden anyway?” None of her anger had subsided. “You were obviously avoiding me before this whole knight in shining armor act. I had to twist your arm to stand in the same room. What did I do to make you despise me in the first place?” She narrowed her eyes, seeming intent on having this out once and for all.

“I don’t despise you, and you know it.” He spoke gently, all the wind having left his sails.