Chapter 22: He's a murderer

What do you want with me, Aiden? Why're you here? Spill it and be on your way.

“Kara, let's go somewhere quiet and talk. Please.” 

“I believe I can hear you just fine here. So, are you going to spill or just going to keep dallying? I'm exhausted already, I've had a rather long day.” 

He sighed and gave up trying to convince me. 

“I found out something, Kar. I just wanted to be sure you know what you're getting into by marrying Pierce. My boss.” 

“Are you here to continue whining about my marriage to your boss or you're here to say something important? I don't want to be around you so spill.” 

“Do you really hate me that much?” 

“Yes I do. Knowing that you'd have 

left me to spend years wasting my time in a marriage where my husband's in love with my stepsister but couldn't tell her because he's too cowardly of a person.” 

“Kara, I'm sorry–” 

 “Okay that's it. Goodbye Aiden. Let's never meet again.” I dragged my suitcase and the bag of groceries I got on my way back and started leaving. He grabbed the handle of my suitcase to stop me. 

“If you're marrying him then I trust you've heard of the circumstances surrounding his ex-girlfriend's death.”

I paused dead in my tracks.

“Huh?What're you talking about? Is this some kind of plot of lies you intend to use to stop our marriage? Really? I'm not sorry but you'll have to do a lot better than that.” 

“Do you really think I'm that stupid? I won't come here just to spew lies without evidence you know?”

There. Evidence. 

“You could fabricate evidence too.” I said, trying desperately to not believe my ears. 

Pierce killed someone? The world was spinning but I tried to hide it.

“Yes I could but I wouldn't stoop so low. Plus, you can ask Pierce himself. Someone sent me a recording of them arguing and then she suddenly went missing before her remains were discovered at sea months later? C'mon Kara, you're no fool. Put the pieces together.” He paused “There should be news records of when her body was found. You can look into it too.” 

I stood there in a trance. There's irrefutable evidence. He killed someone. He was the last person she met before meeting her end. 

Aiden took advantage of my trance-like state and hugged me. I didn't push him away this time. I couldn't even move my arms.

“I'll leave you to process this new information. Night Kara.”  He slowly walked out and a car picked him up.

I managed to snap out of it and walk inside. Once inside, I collapsed on the cold ground, barefoot and wide eyed.

I called Gia first. 

“It's true Pierce's ex lover's remains were found at sea, decomposed. At first we couldn't tell if she was the one after all she'd gone missing for 8 months before the remains were found but we found a necklace, her family heirloom on her and some other things in a purse inside the bag the remains were found.” 

“And why do y'all think it's Pierce's handiwork? He's cold but he's not that kind of person.” 

“ It's just a speculation as there was no concrete evidence found. They had a heated argument in public just a day before she went missing. He accused her of cheating. Who told you about her?” 

“No one, I just found some old newspaper, nothing you should worry about.” 

“Okay then, talk later. Bye.” 

“Bye.” 

I walked inside his room and began searching like I was possessed. Then I found it. A safe.

************

Pierce

Someone sent me pictures. It was a restricted number.Pictures of Aiden hugging Kara. Inside my open garage. 

If she wasn't ready to let him go, she could've just said so. Instead of making me look like a fool. 

I picked up my phone and left the office. Her call came through the second I stepped out.

“It's late and you're not back. Everything okay?” 

“Yeah, fine. I'll be staying at the hotel for a few days. I'm not coming home.”

“Oh. Okay. So when will you be back?” 

“I don't know yet, I have to work late. Gotta go.” 

“Bye–” I disconnected the call before I said something I’d regret.

I could really use a drink right now. Perhaps a Bourbon?