Drowning in Lies

Prologue

I sat stoically as I listened to my brother-in-law Scott give a heartfelt eulogy for my husband David, followed by David's assistant, Vanessa, who sang a tearful rendition of Amazing Grace. She could barely get the words out, her voice breaking as she tried to hold in her sobs.

I caught the eye of the funeral director, who had been so kind and compassionate in helping me with the arrangements. He nodded, and I stepped forward from my seat in the front row. Taking my spot behind the podium, I looked out over the sea of faces, not stopping on any one face in particular until my gaze landed on Scott, who was handing a tissue to a still sobbing Vanessa as she sat down next to him at the end of the front row.

"I would like to take a moment to acknowledge Scott and Vanessa for everything they've done." Vanessa looked up at me with a tearful smile, and Scott nodded his head slightly. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes for a few seconds, needing to center myself for this next part. When I opened my eyes, I kept my gaze steady on the two of them.

"Scott spoke lovingly of David's generosity, but he didn't make mention of just exactly how very generous David was. In fact, I'm sure you'll be surprised to learn that David actually gave Scott over three million dollars in the past two years! The fact Scott was blackmailing David, and that the money was embezzled from my investment portfolio as well as the architectural firm is worth mentioning though, I think, don't you?" I said with a smile and nodded, as if expecting my stunned audience to agree with me. Scott sat frozen, eyes widening in horror as my words sank in.

"And Vanessa, the way your voice broke when you got to the line 'and saved a wretch like me',  well, it was very touching.  Unfortunately, there's simply no saving a wretch like you, honey." I ignored the shocked gasps and agitated whispers as I continued. "For those who may be wondering why poor Vanessa is so very devastated today, I suspect it's because she's been sleeping with my husband for the past five months. Why, they became so close that she even slept in my bed frequently while I was out of town caring for my mother during her extended illness," my voice dripped with biting sarcasm as I delivered those words in a sweetly saccharine tone.

By this point, Scott was standing up, clearly ready to bolt. Vanessa's sobs had turned to outraged screeches as she tugged on Scott's arm, clearly worried he was about to take off without her. My attention was caught by the two uniformed police officers who slipped in unnoticed at the back of the room. I couldn't help the triumphant smile that crossed my lips as I watched the scene unfolding before me, and I couldn't wait to see what happened next.