Deadly Satisfaction Read Online Free Page B

Vivana’s face appear with a caption running below it that read, New Evidence in the Mayfield Murder Case To Be Revealed, her mouth ran dry and her head began to pound. Even though her heart had been thumping as if she’d just run a marathon, she’d managed to remain calm, because the last thing she’d wanted to do was draw attention to herself.
    As Charlene barreled onto the exit that would lead her to the affluent, picturesque neighborhood she’d called home for the last two years, she was pulled from her thoughts by her car’s Bluetooth alerting her of an incoming call. A small smile came to her face when she saw that it was her son, Phillip, who was traveling home for the holidays.
    To say that Charlene was proud of her children was an understatement. Philip and Lauren brought her great joy and happiness, and they’d seen her through dark days that she hoped to never experience again. She was glad that even though they were both adults with lives of their own, they’d still remained close, and they’d always be her babies. She thanked God every day that they’d inherited her kindhearted nature and temperament instead of her ex-husband’s deceitful, conniving ways. Charlene took a deep breath, calmed herself, and answered the call. “Hey, Phillip,” she said in a cheery voice that belied her true mood. “Are you getting ready to board your flight?”
    â€œNo, I’m getting ready to go to the grocery store because there’s nothing here in this fridge.”
    Charlene was confused. “Wait a minute, are you at the house?”
    â€œYeah, I took an earlier flight and got here about two hours ago.”
    â€œTwo hours . . . why didn’t you call me and let me know you were home?”
    Phillip chuckled. “I wanted to surprise you. After I got here I took a quick nap and then I showered. I was going to cook dinner for you, but when I came down to the kitchen I couldn’t find any food. That’s not like you, Mom. This place is usually loaded with food during the holidays. What’s up?”
    Charlene gulped, knowing her son was right. She’d had every intention of going to Whole Foods straight from the salon with her Thanksgiving food list in hand, and she had planned to make a quick meal for her and Phillip tonight, and then cook all day tomorrow for their holiday meal once Lauren arrived. But it had taken her much longer at the salon after hearing the breaking news about Vivana Jackson, because Geneva had experienced a mild panic attack and she’d stayed there to help calm her. Over the last two years Geneva had become more than her stylist, she’d become her friend, and Charlene felt she owed the woman that much to offset the guilt of killing her husband.
    After staying at the salon for much longer than she’d planned to, Charlene had left with her nerves in an uproar. She was flummoxed, and shopping for food had been the last thing on her mind. “Sorry, baby,” she said to Phillip as she came up to a stoplight. “It’s been a long week, and I’ve had a very, very long day. I’d planned to go grocery shopping this afternoon but—”
    â€œI was just kidding, Mom. I know how busy you are. Just come home and relax. I’ll go out and pick up something for dinner tonight.”
    Charlene smiled as she rounded the corner and turned onto her street. She knew that not every parent could say their child was as responsible and thoughtful as Phillip. She knew that one day he was going to make some young woman a fine husband, but sadly, she didn’t think that day would come anytime soon.
    In addition to his physical size, the other attribute Phillip had inherited from his father was that he loved women. He’d been a ladies’ man since kindergarten, sharing his snacks with the pretty girls in his class and then charming the rest with his Play-Doh skills during recess. By the time he was