The Joy of Revenge

CHAPTER 72 Gossip Joy | groaned, waking up to the sound of my alarm.l needed more sleep, but | wanted to be where the people were, so | could get the latest news..

| dressed into my favorite pair of ripped jeans, a button-down blue and white striped blouse, hid my long hair in a white cap and paired everything with white sneakers. After putting all my things in a white tote bag, | exited my hand drove off to Bo’s.

The folks of New Salem woke up to a dreary Sunday as the news of the death of the beloved owner of the town’s pharmacy spread. When | walked into Bo’s, | was shocked to find Xavier surrounded by a group of middle-aged women who | assumed were friends of the deceased. They were consoling him, telling him he wasn’t to blame.

| walked over to an aisle, pretending to mind my own business while | did seavesdropping.

Xavier's s eyes were bleak and bloodshot. His face appeared mournful and grief-stricken while he narrated the events leading up to Cynthia's death.

“I-I called 911, but the ambulance didn’t get there in tto save her. | told her to hang on, but she lost so much blood,” he said, before blowing his nose into his handkerchief. “It feels like it’s my fault. | should have done more to save her.” “Bo, it’s not your fault,” a woman wearing a fitted black blouse and skinny jeans said, rubbing her hand along Xavier's back. “The Sheriff made a statement there's an ongoing manhunt. He believes someone may have entered New Salem while tracking a coyote or a fox, shot at it, but missed, hitting the McDowell residence instead.” “Sweetie, you shouldn’t be working after what happened last night, another woman said. “You should at least take the day off.” “I can’t. | met Cynthia here,” Xavier murmured, a tear falling from the corner of his eye. We both took acting lessons in California and his performance would have earned him an A from our instructor. “Id like to remember her smiling face as she walked through these aisles.” The group of women sighed, feeling very sympathetic to the grief Bo was experiencing.

“We understand, Bo,” the woman in the black blouse said, while she rubbed her hand continously on Xavier's back. “There's a viewing later tonight at the funeral hwhile a 1/6 CHAPTER 72 Gossip funeral service will be held tomorrow at ten in the morning. Then, she’ll be laid to rest at New Salem Memorial.” “I'll have Chip or Dom cwithlater tonight,” Xavier said, fighting back tears. “If you'll excuse me, | need to splash scold water on my face.” He quickly left the group of women... to their utter dismay.

Their friend just died and now they were competing against each other for Bo’s attention. Judging from the small smiles on their faces, they didn’t feel any grief for their friend. They actually looked quite relieved now their supposed queen was dead.

| was looking for chips and dip when someone tappedon my shoulder. | turned around to find Lisa. She was wearing a simple gray t-shirt and denim shorts while she hid her eyes behind a pair of large sunglasses.

“Hey, Virtue! | knew that was you. There is no one in this town that looks that good in baggy jeans and a cap,” she said, smiling. “I want to apologize about last night. | suddenly felt sick and drove myself home.” “You poor thing,” | said, knowing she was lying to me. “You should have askedto drive you. What if something happened to you along the way?” “Well, my house isn’t far from the pub and | obviously got hin one piece,” she said. “Anyway, did you hear about Cynthia McDowell?” | nodded my head. “Noah called to tellPete is going to take stoff.” “Are you going to the wake later tonight?” Lisa asked.

“Where will the viewing be held?” | asked playing dumb..

“At Chimes Funeral Homes at eight,” Lisa answered.

“I'll try to cand pay my respects... For Pete, | said. “But if | can’t make it later tonight, I'll definitely go to the funeral. Do you know when the funeral service will be?” “Tomorrow morning at ten. | keep forgetting you're new here. Did you ever meet Pete’s mom?” She asked.

“Not formally. | saw her with Bo last night, before, you know...,” | tried to explain.

“Well, if not for Pete, go for Bo,” she suggested. | saw him earlier. He looks really distraught.

2/6 CHAPTER 72 Gossip | guess they might have had a deeper relationship than we all thought. I've already heard someone say Bo and Cynthia have been seeing each other secretly before their official date as a couple last night, and that Bo was even going to propose before the, uhm, unfortunate incident. Now this could play to our advantage.

| lowered my head in sorrow, averting my eyes from hers. “It's really heartbreaking for him, Lisa. He broke down last night when we picked him up from the Sheriff's station. He really cared for her.” | heard Lisa sigh.

“Instead of a wedding, we're going to a funeral. Things like these rarely happen in New Salem, so you know why people are talking about it. Anyway, | have sgrocery shopping to do. If | don’t see you later, I'll just see you tomorrow then.” She was about to push her cart away when | stopped her.

“By the way, did you ever get hold of Cris?” | asked, appearing concerned.

“Yeah. He attended a bachelor’s party of one of his college buds. His phone ran out of battery and he forgot to bring his charger. Right now, he’s nursing a really nasty hangover at home,” Lisa quickly mumbled, then waved goodbye, practically running away from me.

After grocery shopping and listening to all the gossip, | went to check on the progress of my boutique. | was surprised to find Noah inside doing smeasurements. He was wearing a fresh shirt and appeared to have showered. My eyes quickly surveyed the parking area.

His pick-up truck wasn’t parked anywhere nor was Nicole's Volvo..

Who did you drive with today, Noah? “Noah! Fancy seeing you here on a Sunday,” | greeted him.

“I'm just doing last minute measurements for the clothes racks, shelves and cabinets. I'll have them installed on Tuesday, since my crew and | will be attending the funeral tomorrow. Will you be going?” Noah asked casually while he fixed the stand for the window display.

“Yes, | will. Poor Pete, he must be really heartbroken.” “He is. He put in a request for leave and | approved it,” he answered, looking at the painted walls and light fixtures. “We're almost done here.” “After the shelves, racks and cabinets are installed, will everything be done?” | asked excitedly.

3/6 CHAPTER 72 Gossip “Yes. | just need to install the refrigerator in the small dining area in the back and we're done with construction. Then, I'll have my crew clean up everything and put in the furniture, then you can start unpacking and displaying your merchandise. By the way, | was wondering, if you would-" Suddenly, my phone rang.

“Great,” | mumbled while rummaging through my tote bag to find my phone. It was Liam. “Excusefor a sec,” | told Noah and answered, “Hi Liam! What can | do for you?” “Hi Virtue! | know this is out of the ordinary, but | wanted to ask you if you would like to cwithto Cynthia McDowell's funeral tomorrow?” Liam asked. “I'll cpick you up around nine- thirty.” “Sure, Liam. I'd like that,” | answered. Being with him wouldn't makelook like a sore thumb. “Will you be going to the viewing later tonight?” “No. | have sbusiness to attend to,” he answered. “Why? Are you thinking of going? You don’t have to, Virtue. Attending the funeral is enough for you to pay your last respects to Cynthia and offer your condolences to Pete.” | heard a tinge of anxiousness in his voice. Was he afraid of the possibility of something happening to me... at a wake? “Okay, if you say so,” | said. “I'll see you tomorrow then, Liam. Take care.” “You too,” he replied. “Callif you need me. See you, Virtue.” “What did Liam want?” Noah asked once | hung up. My brow furrowed, not expecting the harsh tone in his voice.

“Oh, he askedto go with him to the funeral tomorrow,” | answered. “So, what were you saying before we were interrupted?” “Ah, | was going to-" The door of my boutique swung open and a woman with long jet black hair and luminous een eyes walked in. Her face was very f I've seen her on many posters announcing her candidacy for mayor.

Sarah Hughes.

72 Gossip Sarah Hughes,” she introduced herself and extended her hand. I quickly took her in mine and shook it. “I, uhm, | cto check if Noah was done, so he could cwithto givean estimate for an office I'm having renovated.” She seemed warm and inviting, but since | grew up with her, | knew she was a snob. Her mother and father were both physicians who both cfrom a family of physicians. They always had money and were one of the first families to ever live in Highland Oaks.

She was of average height, slim and pale. She had beautiful green eyes, but a beaky nose which earned her the nickn“Beaky Sassy” when we were growing up.

Her lips were long and thin and she had perfect white teeth. However, just like Theodore Cohen, her bright smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Sarah Hughes? The sSarah Hughes running for mayor? Oh wow, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” | said, pretending to fawn. I’m Virtue. Virtue Sullivan.” “Nice to meet you, Virtue. | can see what the people say about you is true,” she said, releasing my hand.

“And what's that?” “That you look like a celebrity,” she smirked. “People say you're really pretty. Now that I've met you, | can say it’s true.” She didn’t like me. Why am | not surprised? She must have a thing for Noah.

“I'm done here,” Noah announced harshly, grabbing Sarah’s arm and pulling her towards the door. “Virtue, I'll see you tomorrow. Con, Sarah. | need to speak to Dom before we go see that office.” He opened the door and ushered Beaky Sassy outside.

“You better hurry up then,” Sarah said, exiting the boutique. “He’s about to leave. Something about a date.” Sebastian had a date with Marla. Xavier had to go to Cynthia’s viewing. And Cristos, he said. he would be with Dan to attend church.

| closed the blinds of my store, locked the door and took out the device Big Man Lou gave to check for bugs and spy cams.

Pete was busy mourning the loss of his mother. Jack and Sheriff Combs were conducting a manhunt. Theodore and Liam Cohen were probably discussing the missing money.

5/6 CHAPTER 72 Gossip No one was watching me.

Tto clean my boutique of bugs.

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