by Kimberly H. Smith

Created on: September 14, 2008

The last twenty-four hours has Natalie in quite a state. Her public arrest for the murder of her best friend Sylvia and an intense interrogation by the police. Now her defense attorney Teddy has shown up at her home unexpectedly.
"I think you should have a seat, Natalie."
"Just spit it out, Teddy," she sighs. "After last night, I think I can take it."
"Your fianc Joe was questioned by the police this morning."

"Why? Is he a suspect?"
"Maybe."
"I don't understand. Just-Just tell me exactly what happened."
"Joe and Sylvia were seeing each other. They were sleeping together," Teddy says somberly.
Natalie stares at her attorney. She struggles to speak but can not. She slowly walks over to a chaise shaded by a large umbrella table away from the house. Teddy trails behind her.
"How do you know this?" she asks quietly.
"The police retrieved romantic cards and the like from a safe in Sylvia's condo. They were from Joe. There were also pictures of the two of them together in different locations. All of which he confirmed for the police."
"How long?" she asks.
"Excuse me?"
He walks closer because her voice is barely above a whisper.
"How long were they seeing each other?"
"Almost a year."
Natalie draws in a quick breath.
"I'm really sorry to have to tell you this, but I thought you should know right away."
"Don't be sorry. I asked you to be straight with me and that's what you're doing."
"There's more."
"Oh, it gets better." Sensing Teddy's hesitation, her heart jumps. "The police think I killed Sylvia because of the affair."
"Yes. They think"
"I knew about it," Natalie finishes. "Great! That's just great! Are they going to arrest me again? Is that why you're here?"
"I think it may only be a matter of time."
"This is too much. Even if Sylvia had told me about this, I wouldn't kill her. I might not ever speak to her again but kill her? That's just crazy."
Natalie slowly closes her eyelids and a single tear slides down her right cheek.
"I need a minute to myself."
"I'll wait inside, but we need to talk."
Natalie clutches her knees to her chest and rocks herself solemnly. The images of time spent with Joe race through her mind. The night that he proposed was magical. He had called her early that Friday and asked her to pack a few things for a weekend getaway-clothing optional. When Joe picked her up he promptly placed a scarf over her eyes and led her to his car. He jokingly refused to answer all of her probing questions about their journey. Two-and-a-half hours later, he removed the blindfold to

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