Page 10 of Deadly Sins: Gluttony
“I am.When Camille came to see me yesterday, she didn’t mention you.”
“I’m not sure she knows about me, to be honest.Gideon was supposed to tell her we married during his visit, but I don’t know if he got around to it before … before …”
She fisted her hands at her side and closed her eyes.
I waited.
When her eyes opened, red and filled with tears, she said, “I apologize.There’s so much I’m trying to process.”
“There’s no need to apologize,” I said.“How long were you two married?”
“Not long.We eloped last month … and you know something?This last month has been the best of my life.I couldn’t wait to start our future together.”
“When did you two meet?”
“This may sound crazy, but we just met three months ago.”
“Where?”
“I was in Florida at a teaching convention.Gideon was there on business.We were staying in the same hotel, and one night, while I was at the bar having a glass of wine, he walked up and asked if he could sit by me.We got to talking, and before we knew it, we were dating.One month into the relationship, he proposed.”
She lifted her ring finger, flashing one of the biggest diamonds I’d ever seen.
“How did you feel about getting married so soon after you met?”I asked.
“Prior to meeting Gideon, I wouldn’t have ever believed I’d do something so spontaneous.But he wasn’t like anyone I’d ever dated before.He was different.”
“In what way?”
“In every way.He came into my life, and suddenly I couldn’t imagine how I’d ever lived without him.You ever feel that way about someone?”
Cade nudged me on the shoulder, shooting me a wink.“Yeah, Sloane.You ever feel that way about anyone?”
Turning toward him, I said, “Remember when we first met?”
“Yeah, you thought I was up to something.”
“To be fair, you were following me around town.”
“From one detective to another, I just wanted to know what you knew about the case I was workin’ on back then.”
I glanced at Cecilia.“To answer your question, yes.Some years back I was in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, investigating the kidnapping of two girls.Cade was a detective at the time.We met, and after a rocky start, we got to know each other.Now, we’re married.Best decision I ever made.”
Cecilia reached into her handbag and pulled out a handkerchief, using it to dab her eyes.“Gideon dying was … well, unexpected—something I never saw coming.You think you have forever.You think you have a lifetime.But I’ve learned a lifetime can slip away in a single moment.Our relationship was ripped from us before it even had a chance to begin.”
“I know there’s nothing I can say to take away your pain, or to make any of this any easier.But I will find the person who murdered your husband, and they’ll pay for what they’ve done.”
She stood, snapping the clasp on her handbag shut.“I’m glad you’re here.Now, if you’ll excuse me.I’d like to speak with Greg and introduce myself to Gideon’s sister and brother.”
“Of course.”
I’d hoped to get more time with her.
Perhaps we could talk later, somewhere private.
The mourners pressed tight around Camille and Martin, voices low and hushed.Then a woman’s gaze found mine—sharp, unblinking.She slipped from the circle, and before I knew it, she was coming straight for me.
8
