The Roses Wilted at Dusk Chapter 14
Someone passed beside me and softly asked their companion whether the photo was of the Atlantic
Marlowe’s voice came through the receiver.
“Then he took the white rose brooch from his suit pocket and placed it on the officiant’s table.”
“He said the brooch doesn’t belong to this wedding, and it doesn’t belong on any bride who isn’t Audra Ellison.”
A dull, aching thud went through my chest.
“What about Tamsin Calder?”
“She stood up and took off the veil.”
“She didn’t cry or make a scene.”
“She walked to the officiant’s table and looked at the brooch for a long time.”
“Then she said she had always known he was still in love with someone else. She thought one wedding could make him forget.”
“Now it seemed that what couldn’t be forgotten couldn’t be stolen either.”
“A stolen wedding doesn’t become yours just because you wear the dress.”
I was silent for a long time.
“Boss? Are you still listening?”
“I’m here.”
“The wedding is canceled. Both families are inside talking. After Dashiell Lockwood came out, he sat alone on the lawn, the one you picked before. He’s been sitting there for almost an hour.”
“Marlowe, none of this has anything to do with me
anymore.”
“I know. But I thought you should know.”
After hanging up, I put the phone back at the bottom of my toolbox.
At four in the afternoon, the gallery work ended.
I packed my tools, locked the door, and walked onto the
street.
The dusk light slanted across the road. It was probably the same color as the light on the lawn at Willow Creek
Estate.
I had seen that lawn four times.
Every time, I had imagined myself standing there.
Now there was no wedding on that lawn.
No bride.
Only a man sitting there.
It had nothing to do with me.
When I returned to the apartment that night and turned on my phone,
Dashiell Lockwood had not sent any messages.
Only an email from his private address.
The subject line was:
The Wedding List I Lost.
I opened it.
The body was a table, from the first year to the fourth
year.
Year One: Audra Ellison said she wanted an outdoor wedding. I said to wait for off-season.
I wasn’t listening to her.
Year Four: Audra Ellison gave me a brooch and said she hoped I would wear it while standing across from her.
I accepted it. I did not wear it.
The final row:
Year Four: Audra Ellison left.
I’m listening now.
But she had already gone silent.
I finished reading the email and closed the page.
I opened the reply box and typed five words.
Noted. I wish you the best.
Then I clicked send.
