Chapter Twenty – Mourning He banished me to Skylar’s room to sleep alone. I wandered into my old room, but someone had been camping out in there. Must be Spike, judging from the camouflage sleeping bag and the mustache grooming tools. I wondered why. If his mom or his girlfriend kicked him out, couldn’t he…

Chapter Nineteen – Murderous It was a single sheet of paper. I read it over his shoulder. Dear Trevor, it read,I strongly suspect the following information will not be news to you. Tomorrow Buford will announce in court that DNA results prove Brontë and Shelley are my blood daughters, and therefore, your sisters. You truly…

Chapter Eighteen – Misbegotten Trevor appeared in the doorway to the bathroom wearing a pair of Jake’s silk boxers. Shaving. Ah, the homey morning scenes of winter. “Morning, sleepyhead,” he said. “We’ve got to do laundry today.” I reached out and grabbed his leg. It was hard and strong, pumping with blood. So alive. My…

Chapter Seventeen — Mortality We ordered Italian but it hardly mattered. Horrendous testimony removed the edge of pleasure from that meal. Shea was right about one thing; I was glad I missed it. My appetite, at least, was intact. Court had been dismissed for the day, ostensibly for some juror’s medical appointment, but more probably…

Chapter Sixteen – Mortgaged Oz says regret is an inherently degrading emotion. On that point he and Colleen were agreed; nostalgia is one thing, but there’s no percentage in second-guessing. Preserve at all costs that forward motion. I lay in bed staring at my new dark suit without enthusiasm. I definitely didn’t want to wear…

Chapter Fifteen – Masochism Back at home the newly feisty Persian cat had left a thank-you string of giblets draped across the doorstep like wild valentines; “This way to the crime scene.” It was Spike’s turn to cook. “What are we having?” I asked Spike. Everyone has a specialty. Mine hasn’t been figured out yet.…

Chapter Fourteen — Machismo Tuesday began with the judge telling the jury to forget all about the mysterious letter that had been waved in front of their noses yesterday. But forgetting isn’t so easily achieved. Maybe like a lot of other things in life; the more you want it, the less you can have it.…

Chapter Thirteen — Misogyny Talking Trevor into a mall trip was not difficult. Craig and Mina would be tied up reading the famous letter and thinking up reasons it shouldn’t come in. Besides, we needed clothes and haircuts; Trevor wanted to buy me a laptop. Jake, Shelley and I love the mall. Trevor hates it.…