Page 13 of Little Hidden Fears

Well played, for a little strumpet.

Strumpet.

Perhaps I was being too hard on her, too judgmental. I knew little of her, and yet I’d already labeled her.

We found Dominic in the kitchen. He had a robe wrapped around him that wasn’t tied, exposing a white tank top and boxer shorts beneath. His thick, salt-and-pepper hair was disheveled, and he was hunched over a bowl of cereal. He didn’t look up when I sat across from him at the table. He just kept on eating, pretending like I wasn’t there.

“My name is?—”

He raised a hand, stopping me. “I know who you are. Zoey left me a message this morning, her third so far today.”

“She told me you haven’t spoken to her much since Noelle died.”

He glanced down, noticing his open robe, and he tightened it around himself. “Haven’t spoken to most people. Zoey never stops talking, you know? She’s one of those high-energy types. You can only be around them for so long before you need a break. I’m not saying she’s a bad person. She’s great. She was a good friend to Noelle.”

“She did seem to be a bit on the impatient side when we met, and I want you to know I’m not here to add to your stress.”

“Sure you are.”

“I’m trying to figure out who killed your wife and why as soon as I can.”

“Catching the bastard won’t bring her back. She’s lost to me now ... lost to me forever.” Tears pooled in his eyes, and he closed them, wiping the tears away. “I think about that night all the time. I dream about it even. How could I be so close and not know what was happening to her? I could have saved her, and I didn’t.”

“You weren’t aware she was in danger. If you did, I have no doubt you would have done everything in your power to save her.”

He looked up at me for the first time, staring into my eyes, while fighting back more tears. Then he slid off the chair and took his bowl to the sink.

“Is your daughter here?” I asked.

“She’s with Noelle’s mother for a few days. I want her here, with me ... it’s just, I’m not the father she needs right now. Feels like I’m falling apart, and I don’t want her to see me like that.”

“It’s understandable. How’s she doing?”

Lenore, who had been standing a few feet away, leaned in as if anxious to hear his response, something he seemed to pick up on.

“Hey Lenore, I appreciate the casserole and your offer to help out around here, but I think I’d like to speak to the detective alone.”

She did not seem thrilled with the comment.

Her expression soured, and she looked away, clearing her throat as she said, “Uh, yeah, okay. I get it. You, uhh, you let me know if there’s anything I can do.”

CHAPTER 6

With Lenore out of the way, it gave me the opportunity to have a more intimate conversation with Dominic, one I hoped would provide me with a possible direction to go in. But first ... I had a burning question, one that would persist until I asked it, so I did.

“Does Lenore stop by often, or was today the first time she came by?” I asked.

“She’s checked in here and there.”

“The two of you don’t know each other well, do you?” I asked.

“Not at all. Why?”

I crossed my arms, thinking how to best phrase my next comment. “Given my line of work, it’s easy for me to be suspicious of people’s motives.”

“You think she has a motive other than offering to help me out?”

I spread my arms and glanced around the room. “You have a nice place, expensive taste from what I can see, and you’re a widower. Maybe Lenore is genuine in her offer to help, or maybe she’s trying to get her foot in the door and start something between the two of you.”

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