I was always there for him.”

“Were you? Even while fucking his insurance agent?”

“What?”

“What do you think the insurance company would do if they knew you and Mr. Blass have been having a long-term affair? You think they might re-think your accidental death claim? I certainly do! And let’s not forget you and Michael are already on the record lying about David’s previous history of autoerotic activities.”

“You can’t prove that.”

“Maybe not, but I can cast some serious doubt. I’m no expert, Alison, but I think your affair could cause you some problems. I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re the one doing prison time.”

“Let’s get back on point: two million makes this go away? Makes you go away? Forever?”

“Two million plus Jessie.”

12.

“I WON’T SELL my daughter.”

“I’m not asking you to. I’m only asking that you allow her to see me.”

“That’s child abuse. I’ll go to prison first.”

“I hope that’s true, because if you’re in prison, there’ll be no one to keep us apart.”

She’s right. That would be a double loss. So I ask, “How much would I have to pay you to walk away from Jessie?”

“Wow. Now you sound like David.”

I feel my face flush. “Hardly. According to you, David wanted you for himself.”

“According to me? Look Alison, I’ll admit you’re extremely attractive for your age, and maybe you’re right. Maybe David’s interest in me had nothing to do with your shortcomings as a wife. But he absolutely offered me the money to have an affair, and I absolutely turned him down. And when I said I was going back to Michael, he told me to keep the money for our future. There was no affair and no blackmail.”

“If you weren’t denying it so strongly, I might believe you.”

Nicki nods. “I can see why you’d say that. And I’m not sure why it’s so important to me that you believe me. But if you don’t, I suppose there’s nothing more I can say to change your mind.”

“Give me a number, Nicki. What will it take for you to break things off with Jessie, move away, and never contact us again?”

“Five million dollars.”

13.

“FIVE MILLION? THAT’S impossible.”

“I’m willing to entertain a counter offer.”

“Two million five.”

“Sorry.”

As I look at her I remember something she said earlier that made me curious. “What were the exceptions?”

“Excuse me?”

“You said you were completely honest with Broadus, with two exceptions. What were they?”

“I told him I didn’t have a throwaway phone. I do. It’s in my suitcase. But unlike your throwaway phone, I’ve never used it.”

“What’s the other lie?”

“I kept the money.”

“You didn’t transfer it to Michael?”

“Of course not. That would make me liable for the gift taxes.”

I smile. “Your first big mistake.”

“You think?”

“Broadus will find out. He assured you he was going to check out your story.”

“He was bluffing. Like he told us in the lobby they gave him twenty-four hours to wrap the case. I suppose if you tell him I kept the money he might try to prove I was blackmailing David, but my version’s much stronger than his. And mine also happens to be true.