twenty-four

I called Harper a little while later. Her voice sounded thick and disorientated when she answered. “I didn’t wake you, did I?” I asked.

“Oh, no,” she said, giving a rueful laugh. “I don’t seem to be able to sleep much these days. But when I am awake, I feel like I’m in a horrible dream.”

“I know,” I said. “The whole thing is a nightmare. How are you doing though? Do you need me to get anything? Do you need help with Gracie?”

“That’s sweet of you,” Harper said, “but I’m fine. Devin is here, and he’s been wonderful.” I opted not to ask for details on that statement. “And I finally got hold of my dad. He’s been in London on business, but he was able to book a flight home tonight.”

“That’s good,” I said. I felt better knowing Donald would be on hand to help Harper. Not only did he adore her, but he also was one of those people you could count on to stay levelheaded in times of a crisis. And this certainly qualified as one of those times. “By the way, would you happen to have Zack’s number?” I asked.

Harper paused. “Zack? Oh, sure. Let me find it. Hang on.” A few seconds later, Harper came back on the line. “Nic? I have it right here. Got a pencil?”

I told her I did. I wrote down the number and thanked her.

“Why do you want to talk to Zack?” she asked.

“Oh, I just wanted to ask him some questions,” I said, unsure whether Marcy had called Harper yet with the coroner’s ruling.

“The police think Dan was murdered,” she said, answering my unspoken question.

“I know,” I said. “Marcy called me.”

“She called me, too,” Harper said. “She was … very kind.”

I winced, thinking how Harper must have reacted to hearing about Dan’s stash of condoms. “Ah, I hoped she wasn’t going to tell you about that,” I said.

“Tell me about what?” Harper asked.

“The condoms,” I said, just as I realized I needed to stop talking.

“What condoms?” Harper asked.

I sighed. “The ones they found in Dan’s apartment.”

“I don’t understand,” said Harper slowly. “They found condoms in Dan’s apartment?”

“I’m sorry, Harper,” I said. “I thought Marcy already told you. I never would have said anything otherwise. God knows you’ve already been through enough.”

“I don’t believe it,” Harper said.

“I know, honey. The whole thing is just hellish,” I said.

“No, I mean I don’t believe Dan had condoms there,” Harper said.

“I’m not sure I’m following you,” I said. “I don’t think the police planted them there, if that’s what you’re saying.”

“What kind were they?” Harper suddenly asked.

I paused. “Seriously?” I said. “You want to know what kind they were?”

“Yes,” Harper said.

“Okay. Why?”

“Because Dan was allergic to latex,” she said. “He hated using condoms, even the ones that were latex-free.”

“He was allergic?” I asked. “Really?”

“Yes,” Harper said.

Something in her tone gave me pause. “Will his doctor testify to that?”

Now Harper paused. “Well, he wasn’t allergic so much as he was sensitive to it.”

I closed my eyes and sighed.“Harper …” I began, but she cut me off.

“No, Nic. Listen to me. I know that Dan could be a real jerk at times, and I realize that I probably sound like the classic wife who’s in denial. I mean, he got a ‘work apartment’ and stocked it with tea, which he didn’t drink, but I just don’t believe he kept condoms there. Something is not right. But call Zack. He and Dan were working a lot on Dan’s book and spending lots of time together. He might know something I don’t.”

I was quiet a moment. Harper whispered something to someone on her end. A male voice whispered back.

“Okay, Harper. I’ll call Zack and Marcy and see what I can find out.”

Harper sighed. “Thanks, Nic.”

I hung up. I really hoped that Marcy hadn’t heard the same male voice when she spoke to Harper earlier. It might give her the wrong idea. I know it certainly gave me the wrong idea.