Two weeks later

Chief Briggs came over in person to let me know that investigators found a thermos filled with the poisoned margaritas hidden in the garage, likely ready to serve to me if our meeting went awry. As if I’d fall for that.

“Cherry pits are a deadly way to deliver a fatal dose of cyanide,” he explained, sitting across from me in my living room. “Six small pits ground up can kill an adult. The bitter taste easily concealed by a strong margarita mix. Undetectable once ingested, and undetectable in an autopsy after just a few hours, cyanide causes a person’s body to shut down, organ by organ. In John’s case, his heart stopped.”

I remember the bowl of cherries sitting on her cocktail table as a chill runs down my spine. “Poor John. He must have suffered so much. I wonder if she watched him die,” I say, taking a deep breath. “No matter how you look at it, John’s dead.”

“I’m sorry, ma’am, about all of this,” Briggs says. “We don’t have proof she flooded Ashlyn’s car, but it’s likely.”

“It is,” I say. “Tish’s quest for money and her need to destroy everyone who was in her way still makes me furious.”

“Our experts think she suffers from some form of sociopathy. She had a tough childhood, with abuse, and had run away as a teenager. It’s sad, what she went through, but it’s no justification for what she put you through or what she did to John. You’re lucky you weren’t another one of her victims the night she invited you over. You should have called me.” His face flushes.

He has been so helpful. “Thank you for everything.”

He stands and walks to the front door. “I’m glad things turned out, ma’am. Please let me know if you need anything else.”

“You know, I could do dinner this week?” I say. “And, please call me Kate.”

He stops in the doorway. “Sounds great. Tomorrow night? I’ll pick you up at seven?”

“Perfect,” I say before he leaves with a big grin.

“He has a crush on you,” Ashlyn says, walking into the living room with Seth close by her side. “You should go on a date with him. He always flirts with you.”

“I am. Tomorrow night,” I say. I also thought it was a great idea.

“Mom, I’m so happy for you,” Ashlyn says.

“Hey, Mrs. Nelson. We’re going to grab dinner. Want us to bring you back anything?” Seth asks. The two of them have been inseparable since the night Tish fell. And I’m glad. Ashlyn seems to be doing well with it all, but time will tell. I’ll watch her, get her help if she needs it. She could always talk to Dr. Ray. I don’t need her anymore.

Thankfully, Tish remains in a coma.

“No, I’m all set. Don’t be out too late. You both have class in the morning,” I say. Ashlyn’s decided to finish her senior year at Ohio State. She’ll also keep her internship with Jennifer.

“Yes, Mom. We know. Love you,” she says as they depart.

I walk down the hall to my home office to put the finishing touches on the Forever product launch plan. If only John had agreed to it sooner, maybe we’d be in a different place. For me, the project has been a focus, a place to channel my energy after the divorce. Turns out anger can push you to pursue goals others don’t think are possible.

On my desk is the latest issue of CEO Magazine featuring me on the cover, and a two-page spread of Ashlyn and me on the inside. The new president starts next week and will take over John’s office and report to me. That feels right to everyone.

Tish is out of our lives now, for good.

In fact, she’s barely hanging on to hers.

The will she concocted has been ruled a fake, of course. Her witnesses recanted and her attorney, Uncle George, fled the country. Trying to keep one step ahead of the law, I suspect. I know he won’t ever be back. I’ve made sure of it.

It’s strange who can come into your life and turn it upside down. And how wrong you can be about someone. None of it is fair, nothing about the situation was right.

John brought Tish into our life, and he paid the ultimate price.

Jennifer’s email lands in my inbox. How’s the launch plan look?

Perfect.

The next morning, the EventCo staff gathers in the atrium, and I walk alone onto the stage. Jennifer has lured an impressive gaggle of national and regional press, so as I begin to speak, cameras flash and reporters focus.

“Thank you all for coming today. As you know, the last six months have been difficult for EventCo. A day after our IPO, my former husband and cofounder of the company, John Nelson, died tragically in what has now been ruled a murder.”

A murmur rolls through the crowd. This isn’t a surprise, of course. It’s been national news. Some think this whole sordid, sad story will become a movie. I hope not. I focus on the audience. I smile.

“My daughter, Ashlyn, and I were determined to save this company, despite the tabloid fodder our personal lives had become. To that end, I’m proud to announce that the EventCo team has done it again. Today, we revolutionize the way our customers invite their friends to special events, and the way they keep in touch, forever. Introducing EventCo Forever, a lifelong portal of memories and celebrations to keep you connected with your loved ones now, and forever.”

The room fills with applause, and I motion for Ashlyn to join me onstage. I tell myself not to dwell on the stock price increase we would have seen at the IPO if John had agreed to launch the Forever product when it was ready. If he’d been focused on the business instead of trying to get out of the mess he’d made by marrying his assistant, just imagine. The anger I used to feel toward him has dissipated some. I’ve been able to channel it. It made me clear about what I really want. Even Dr. Ray agreed.

Since the magazine article ran, I’ve enjoyed sharing the spotlight with Ashlyn. Even the tabloids seem to take it easy on us and focus instead on Tish, digging into her past. The police investigation was quick. Chief Briggs had to question me because I was a witness to her fall. He felt terrible for causing me more stress. In reality, he was such a help. He’s actually quite handsome, thoughtful, too. I am looking forward to our dinner date.

Tish’s fall was ruled a horrible accident that happened to a horrible person. Karma, I suppose.

I shake my head, return to the present. I’m glad Ashlyn and I have a chance to build our bond and build the company together. It was almost too late.

I still have nightmares about what I saw that night when Tish fell. Ashlyn says she’s sleeping fine. In my mind, she was never there, and that is how it must be. I tell her that daily.

In my nightmares, Tish doesn’t tumble down the stairs. Instead, she follows me around, offering a glass with some special margaritas. Her head is tilted to the side. It’s creepy.

I drink, and she refills my glass.

I always wake up as my body seizes, clutching my chest. I imagine John, gasping for breath, not understanding what Tish had done. I wonder if he knew at the end. I have to believe he did.

I hug my daughter as the cameras flash.

I’m so lucky to be alive. We all are.

EPILOGUE

TISH

Six months later

Shady Valley Care Facility

Newark, Ohio

I hate it here.

I’m trapped at some assisted living place for people in a vegetative state. I hear everything, but so far I haven’t mustered the power to keep my eyes open or move my limbs. So, I’m stuck here for who knows how long.

I can’t believe my high-priced necklace foiled my plans. And I’m starting to believe Kate had a hand in my accident, too. Because I’ve had some time to think, and I’m certain she gave me a little shove that night. Yes, that’s what happened. When I started to pull the suitcase down the stairs, I didn’t realize the Van Cleef & Arpels necklace was wrapped around the wheel of the trunk. The necklace didn’t break, and the trunk wheel didn’t come off, so my necklace yanked me forward until the trunk and I both hurtled to the bottom of the stairs, gaining momentum as we tumbled. I don’t remember anything else, but it must have hurt. The doctors come into my room on occasion, mumble words like “freak accident,” “too young to die,” and “what a waste” to describe me now. Me. Tish Nelson. I am not a freak or a waste. And I know I didn’t get here on my own.

Kate must have had something to do with it.