Page 77 of The Devoted Husband

Sade

Sade sat in the middle of the floor in her old living room while the police talked to Dante outside by the shed. Jones was right about her tenants. They’d moved out and notified her with an email she hadn’t seen. As she stared into the distance, tears streamed down her cheeks. Learning that Jones had killed her parents caused Sade’s heart to burst. But thanks to Dante, Jones was dead, and it was finally over.

Jones

Tonya,

This is letter one of two. If you receive this, it’s because I am dead. This letter will be the key to your freedom. Now that I am gone, you can roam the earth again. I couldn’t stomach the idea of you being happy and free, falling in love with another man like you hadn’t done what you’d done to me. To Dena.

You destroyed us.

For what? Lust? Was what you had for Martinreallove? Even if it was, he didn’t love you. If he did, he wouldn’t have chosen Andrea over you. I hope that truth eats at you for the rest of your life.

Dena deserved a better mother than you. I deserved a better wife than you. And you deserve to spend the rest of your days miserable. But at least you’ll be able to be miserable as a free woman.

Call Attorney Robert Hitchum. He has a signed statement and video recording of me admitting to tampering with the brakes on Martin’s car and being responsible for the accident that took their lives. With that, they should release you.

I hate you, and I can guarantee you I died with hate in my heart over what you did.

Jones

Dante

The Next Morning

“Authorities say ex-detective Terry Jones had a personal vendetta against Sade Griffin because of her parents. Sources say Jones’s ex-wife was romantically involved with Griffin’s father, and the affair had a deadly end. At any rate, Griffin has yet again been cleared of all charges. Captain Bennit released a statement this morning identifying Jones as the killer behind two murders that happened earlier this year. Willow Frank, once presumed missing, is now considered deceased, along with Baker and Roe. We will keep following this case. For now, I am Zella—”

Bennit muted the TV and returned his gaze to Dante and Sade. He’d asked them to stop by his office so he could apologize in person on Jones’s behalf.

“When you came to me, I should have done more,” Bennit said. “I didn’t want to see how much he was spiraling. I failed him and the two of you. But we’re righting that wrong. Every news station in Vanzette is airing this story repeatedly for the next three days to make sure everyone in the town knows it was Jones who killed those women, not you.”

Dante looked over at Sade, who gave him a small smile. Because of Jones’s confession of framing his wife, it wasn’t a far stretch for the police to believe he was trying to do the same thing to Sade. It helped to know he had a shrine dedicated to his daughter and a wall full of information on Sade and the victims. Dante had to keep himself from laughing at the fact that Jones, in death, was being blamed for the crimes he was obsessed with proving Sade did.

“We sent the press release to Memphis as well,” Bennit added. “I don’t know if they’ll run it, but I’m sure they will. I hope this allows you to get back to your life and find some peace.”

“Thank you,” Dante said as he stood. After shaking Bennit’s hand, Dante helped Sade stand from her seat. “I appreciate you calling us in, but I want to get her home so she can rest. Yesterday was a lot.”

“Yeah, no. Of course. Call me if you guys need anything.”

“Thanks,” Sade replied with a small smile.

She’d been quiet and in her head. As happy as she was that Jones was dead, Dante felt she wouldn’t return to herself until after her emergency appointment. Though Doctor Smith tried to assure her over the phone, Sade insisted on an appointment. Dante didn’t mind the extra precaution and hoped he could take her mind off things until the appointment tomorrow.

“How are you feeling?” Dante asked as they walked out of the precinct hand in hand.

“I feel okay. I’m glad this is finally over. How do you feel?”

“Same. How are you physically?”

“My feet and ankles are swollen. I don’t know if that’s the baby or being tied up.”

“I was wondering if that was the case. Looked like you were wobbling a little bit.”

She gave him a genuine smile as she rubbed her belly. “I’ll feel better when the doctor tells me he’s okay. I know I only had one dose of the drug, but not knowing what it was is really bothering me. Plus, the last time I fainted, they warned me of the side effects of doing it too often. Now that it has happened again because Jones choked me, I just want to make sure our little one is okay.”

“You don’t have to explain, Smiley.”

They got into the car, listening to music instead of talking. When they arrived at the hotel, Dante gave her a massage and held her as she drifted off to sleep. Suddenly, with a gasp, Sade sat up and looked down at her stomach.

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