Next Lifetime by MarZe Scott
Elijah Hargove’s body laid on the shag carpet, apparent of one thing— a gunshot to his temple and a .9-millimeter handgun right next to him. However, those two things weren’t enough for Daylin to believe he had taken his own life.
“Miss Montgomery, are you aware if Mr. Hargrove was depressed,” asked Detective Voorhees.
“I don’t know,” she admitted. “He didn’t get any type of diagnosis from a doctor.
Daylin’s gaze followed the blue uniforms and neatly dressed investigators around the place where she had lived a tumultuous life with a man she once believed was her Prince Charming, but Elijah revealed himself to be a monster instead.
Detective Voorhees flipped the paper open and turned it to face Daylin, who scanned the handwritten letter that delivered a gut punch to her soul.
Daylin and Elijah had a chaotic relationship, but could never be said that the high school sweethearts ever experienced the sweet part of what love was supposed to be. Desires of leaving their hometown died as Elijah’s childish tantrums and pleas grew into full on abusive episodes every time Daylin talked about moving on. If there was a wish that had been granted, it was one that only her heart uttered— to be loved by a man she could call a friend.
A broad, flirtatious smile and runway model swagger made Maurice the breath of fresh air that Daylin needed, giving her the friend that she never had in Elijah. Common interests in travel, music, and the occasional debate about Daylin’s Wolverines being better than Maurice’s Buckeyes made for frequent and sometimes raucous lunchtime breaks at Atwater Bank and Trust.
On days when Elijah started an argument early in the morning before she left for work, Maurice treated to her lunch as if he knew she needed to talk about what was stressing her out.
* * *
Sitting in the dimly lit corner booth of Shane’s Bar and Grill, the restaurant was crowded like it was Valentine’s Day.
“Hey handsome,” her voice trembled as she stood to hug her friend, ignoring the ogling eyes from women whose gaze wandered from the companionship of the men at surrounding tables to the appearance of what could be considered perfection.
“How are you, Beautiful?” the bass voice sang from a wide smile from a handsomely chiseled face.
The words to explain her situation became caught in her throat.
“Did he hurt you again?”
“He found our texts about the baby.”
“But it was his baby.”
One wayward tear set the path for more to fall and Daylin couldn’t stop the flow if she tried.
“It was,” she stammered and then took a deep breath. “I didn’t get the chance to tell him because I miscarried. At some point he went through my phone and found the texts. I guess that sent him over the edge and he … he’s dead.”
“Are you okay?” Maurice tilted his head as if he was hit with a sudden thought. “Did you?”
He slowly released Daylin and lowered his gaze so their eyes met.
“Did I what?” she snapped.
“You know …”
“I would never,” she replied, twisting her face in horror that her best friend would think that she could harm Elijah, even if he deserved it. “I didn’t do anything to him even after all he’s done to me. He killed himself and left a letter blaming me for it … can I stay at your place until the investigation is over.”
“That can’t happen. Faye is close to her due date.”
* * *
The days following Elijah’s death proved to be even more troubled than when he was alive. Police questioning her at the hotel made for a less than relaxing stay and prank calls from blocked callers kept Daylin awake at night.
“She killed my son,” Ms. Hargrove warned, her large protruding eyes narrowing on Daylin’s face, this time the woman showed up to her job with the Channel 7 camera crew. “She’s still under investigation for my son’s death. She shouldn’t be walking around free while I have to bury my only child.”
“Your boy,” Daylin locked her gaze on the petite woman’s face. “On a good day was a monster and you knew it. You saw the bruises.”
“Stop lying about him,” Ms. Hargrove screamed wagging her finger in Daylin’s face. “Know this if you don’t know anything else— God is going to punish you for what you did and He uses people to get His work done. You better watch your back because you never know the hour.”
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