Pickled Plum Publishing

Eva nervously thrummed her fingers on her knees as they were hidden under the restaurant table. Above the white tablecloth, Eva was all composure, the beautiful wife of the man they were all celebrating that evening.

Below the tablecloth was another story. Her fingers weren’t the only parts of her body betraying her true emotions. Her toes were clenched, and she was sweating behind her knees—something Eva hadn’t ever experienced outside the gym.

“Marvin is the kind of man you always want in your corner, loyal to a fault.” The man who spoke—Marvin’s best friend James—stood at the front of the lovely hotel ballroom droning on and on, either lying about the man they both knew or he was a fool.

Eva had once been a fool as well. Believing all of the things people were praising her husband for being.

Loyal. Of course he was. He would rather die than hurt Eva.

Supportive. Marvin was the person who’d offered to pay for any surgery Eva wanted when she’d said in passing that she wished she could stop looking her age.

Kind. Eva’s husband never had a bad word to say to anyone’s face. Only behind their backs.

Hard working. He was oh so tireless at stepping on the backs of the people he loved as he worked his way to his extreme goals.

Eva realized that with each item, her list became more cynical, the true Marvin she knew today—the one who had been exposed to her a month before—was no longer able to hide.

She didn’t know how she hadn’t seen it before. They’d been married for fifteen years. And yet she’d only ever seen one side of him.

Until she hadn’t.

“Are you sure you want to do this? You know what he’ll do to you if you go through with it,” Luke—Eva’s stepson and the only person in Marvin’s family who had accepted Eva—whispered into her ear.

Marvin sat on Eva’s other side, oblivious to the plans she’d put into place weeks ago. Eva was about to expose Marvin for who he really was. It didn’t matter that others extoled his virtues ad nauseam, the truth would be heard from Eva’s lips soon.

Eva knew if she were standing, her knees would be knocking. This wasn’t who she was—vindictive, angry, vengeful.

No, the thought came to her as a shout. This was the woman she was now. When she’d met Marvin, Eva had been a bit rough around the edges, more like the woman who was emerging that day. But back then he’d made her feel safe in a way no one ever had before, so all of those hard edges had melted away. 

Marvin’s Eva had trusted her husband completely. Over the years, she’d worked her butt off for even the tiniest sprinkle of approval from his family and had given up everything for those she loved, even if they didn’t love her back. But that woman was dead.

This Eva, the one who sweat behind her knees at social functions, she didn’t care. Not about her future, not about his family, and certainly not about Marvin.

Eva blinked her eyes twice before turning with what she’d been told was a charming smile toward her stepson. “I have to do this. Nothing else matters.”

Luke swallowed audibly. Eva swore she saw the young man shudder, and the tiniest bit of Marvin’s Eva wanted to emerge. Luke had always been good to her. Even when his older siblings had told him he’d been beguiled by Eva’s beauty and teased him for his concern for a woman they’d called the gold digger, he’d stuck by her side. 

When Eva had found out the truth about Marvin, Luke had been the only one to see the shift in Eva’s demeanor, the only one who’d reached out to see if she was okay. And she hadn’t been. Somehow, he’d gotten the whole truth out of her and then insisted she let him help her get retribution. Luke had long before seen his father’s many faults, the despicable faults Eva had refused to acknowledge at first.

Marvin was selfish beyond belief. His needs, his wants, they all came first. And his chief concern, the most important thing of all? His image. 

So that was what Eva would attack that night. And she had to do it with all she had. The ferocity with which she needed to attack was the reason she couldn’t let even an inkling of Marvin’s kind-hearted Eva back into her life.

So Eva pushed her away. That version of Eva had gotten them here. This version was the only one who could save them all.

“I get it,” Luke replied before adding, “and you know I’d help you financially if I could.”

Eva nodded. Luke was kept on a tight leash. They all were…Marvin controlled his family instead of loving them.

Eva had been treated in the same way—asked to sign a prenup, given a weekly allowance, never included on the deeds of any of the houses, cars, or other big-ticket items in their lives. Her name wasn’t on any bank account. The only thing tying Eva to her husband legally was their marriage license.

But that had been all Eva had needed. He’d had her fooled from that very first day they met. She didn’t care about the prenup. They’d be married forever, and prenups only mattered during divorces. She didn’t care about the financial control—she told herself it was because Marvin understood that world better. Besides, he’d told her the names on things didn’t matter, what was his was hers…he would always share with her all that he had. And she’d gullibly believed him. She had noticed that he kept his money from his kids, and she’d encouraged him to give them a bit more, but if he was a little tight fisted, it was only because he’d worked so hard for everything he owned. 

Oh, the excuses she’d made for that man…

Applause pulled Eva from her thoughts, reminding her that it was now her turn. The last speaker before they turned the time over to the birthday boy himself. Only someone truly self-absorbed would force all of his guests to sit there for half an evening as people praised, adored, and admired the man of the hour. The speakers had all been given explicit instructions, even guidance on what to say. No jokes at Marvin’s expense, nothing that wasn’t purely positive. If this had been a roast, at least his guests would have been entertained, but did Marvin care about that? Absolutely not. The whole night was one big, fat excuse to highlight the pristine reputation he’d spent his entire seventy years of life building.

Marvin’s Eva would have written off the behavior as a cute quirk.

This Eva grew to despise the man a little more.

“And now for the stunning woman who captured the heart of our Marvin,” James said, turning his clapping hands in the direction of where Eva sat.

Eva stood, sending a nod to the wait staff who had promised to help her that evening, before brushing her hands down the gold designer gown Marvin had chosen for her to wear for his big night. He’d asked her to spend a few more hours each week in the gym leading up to the party so that she would do the dress justice. 

The dress was magnificent, the fabric shimmered like sunlight dancing, and the cut clung to every curve of Eva’s body. The slim spaghetti straps showed off her toned shoulders, the shoulders Eva had worked hard to keep perfect for Marvin. The beautiful gold sheen of the dress seemed to highlight the golden tones of her flawlessly tanned skin.

As Eva took her first step toward the microphone, Marvin gave her backside, his loudly declared favorite part of her, a smack. Something Marvin’s Eva would have found endearing but made this Eva want to vomit. 

He’d only ever seen her as a belonging. It was why he’d never shared anything with her. Why share his treasures with just another piece of his bounty?

That one action gave Eva the courage to go through with every part of her plan. She was going to completely and thoroughly ruin Marvin’s reputation. 

By doing this, Eva would never see a penny from her divorce. During her sleuthing, Eva found that Marvin had cheated on both of his ex-wives, something he’d promised Eva, whose father had cheated on her mother, he could never ever do.

Yet, he’d already done it when he’d made that promise. Twice.

But no one had shared a single word of this with Eva, the gorgeous but stupidly naïve third wife. Though to be fair, Eva was pretty sure no one knew about the cheating beyond the parties involved. She was sure Luke had no idea.

And that was the way Marvin kept it. Over the years he’d created this image of a loving family man. The head of a company built on his blood, sweat, tears, and love. He’d worked tirelessly but always made sure to make time for his children. Front row at every major event in their lives, although according to Luke, Marvin was often still working from his phone. But as long as it appeared like Marvin cared, that was all that mattered.

Marvin paid to have articles written about how he’d put family first and still achieved all he had, how he would sometimes let work take a back burner though he’d still become a millionaire many times over.

And the pinnacle of his pristine image? His perfect marriage to Eva. His adoring wife. The one he’d searched for all of his life.

He’d somehow been able to spin, not just to Eva, but to the world, that his first two marriages just weren’t meant to be. He’d tried. They’d tried. But sometimes good people couldn’t make things work, no matter how hard they tried.

But with Eva, he’d finally found his person. They were two good people who had made it work. And thrived.

Eva had lapped up every single drop of Marvin’s bull with a naïve smile on her face. 

What a fool.

With each step across the white marble floor toward that microphone, Eva gained more than courage. It was unwavering confidence. She was serving out justice that needed to be given.

“Thank you, James.” Eva shined her smile on her husband’s best friend, causing him to blush as she took the microphone from him. 

Marvin had long said he admired the power Eva had over men. Eva hated that he’d put it in such vulgar terms. Yes, Eva often had men vying for her attention, but not because she wanted it. 

Yet, Marvin wielded her beauty the same way he had with every other tool in his arsenal. She’d been just another weapon or lure, depending on the situation, for Marvin to use as he’d liked. 

Eva was just fifteen years Marvin’s junior, though no one could believe it. While others couldn’t quite see how they’d come together other than for material reasons, Eva saw a normal age gap. Sure, Marvin was rich, but she hadn’t cared about those things he loved showering on her. She wore the dresses, jewels, and drove the fancy cars because Marvin loved to see her in them. While Marvin treated her as a pet, she’d believed theirs was a beautiful love affair. The meeting of two souls.

Eva watched James take his seat on the other side of Marvin.

“Sorry, dear, I’m just waiting for them to set up the slide show,” Eva said lovingly into the microphone, Marvin’s big phony smile was his response.

The room waited patiently, happy to do so now that Marvin gave his okay. Everyone in that room was always willing to take their cues from Marvin.

While she waited, her heart beating so hard it hurt her chest, Eva took her first real glance at the ballroom and saw that her dress matched the décor. Golden chandeliers, golden cutlery, golden vases holding white flowers as centerpieces. Even the white marble floor contained flecks of gold. As always, Eva was just another accessory.

She met the mildly curious eyes of those who loved Marvin yet had never warmed to her.

Eva never quite understood the vitriol his ex-wives had for her. The disdain his children treated her with. The disrespect of his friends and colleagues. 

But now she did. They saw her through Marvin’s eyes. And while she’d loved, adored, and left everything on the altar of their marriage, Marvin had used her.

And Marvin was happy with the way things were. He loved that the world saw her as using him for his prestige, money, and position, though it was him using her for her looks, youth, and naivety. He loved that he still kept his image of a loving family man, the impression that he was so in love he didn’t care that Eva was obviously using him. He was just too wonderful a man for his own good.

But today that would change. Today, a cunning, malicious man would emerge. Eva would make sure everyone saw the man she’d been introduced to the month before. 

The last four weeks, though devastating, actually made Eva feel a little proud. After having watched her mother play spy to figure out the truth about her father, Eva easily fell into the role. She was much more tech savvy than anyone believed her to be, hacking into Marvin’s email, phone, and his Tesla so she could track his location. She was even able to figure out how to watch what he was up to from the car’s cameras.

She now had so much evidence, if she really thought about it, it made her physically ill. But it was what she required if she wanted to pull this off.

And right now, Eva wanted this more than anything.

The screen was set, and a waiter handed Eva a clicking device so she could move through the images. She lifted the microphone to her lips before clicking open the special slideshow Eva had prepared just for her husband…and his mistress. The woman with the audacity to sit at the table reserved for Marvin’s closest loved ones. The woman who let her fingers linger along the arm of Marvin’s coat when she thought Eva wasn’t looking. The woman who met Eva for the first time at Eva’s very own engagement party, wishing Marvin and Eva every happiness. The woman with a front row seat to the adoration Eva had for her husband. The woman who assured Eva that no one could love Eva the way Marvin loved her. The woman who was married to Marvin’s best friend.

The room awed at the first slide. Eva’s favorite picture from their wedding. Written over the picture were the words, the beginning of a love story.

Eva glanced to the back of the room where a few photographers and local journalists stood, documenting the seventieth birthday party of such an esteemed man. The press was Eva’s little touch to the evening, it had been easy to convince her narcissistic husband to invite them. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t thought of it himself.

She’d seen the way they’d yawned and slouched during the previous long speeches that evening but watched as they all stood a little taller now. She’d told them to look out for her speech, they wouldn’t want to miss it.

Eva’s attention then went back to the table where Marvin sat, James beside him, and Carmen, his mistress just one seat away. 

Eva needed to see their faces. Their reaction as their entire world fell apart. Marvin’s Eva felt bad for James, though she couldn’t see how he didn’t know. Even Marvin’s enamored Eva had figured out the truth. But if he didn’t, this would be a horrific way to find out. Still, this Eva was too bent on vengeance to change what was about to happen for James’ sake.

James would manage.

Marvin had taken what was most dear to her, so Eva needed to do the same thing to him. For her, it had been him. For him, losing her wasn’t nearly enough. This, destroying his image, that would be the only thing anywhere near to equal what she’d felt.

She clicked the little button in her hand, her eyes intent on her subjects, Marvin foremost.

His eyes bulged, Carmen’s mouth dropped open.

Eva couldn’t help her smile as gasps sounded around the room.

Clicks of cameras were the cherry on top of Eva’s perfect plan.

She knew she’d have to start with a bang. She had screenshots of thousands of naughty texts, she had pictures of kisses, longing embraces. She had car logs of weekends away, receipts of fancy gifts and oh so many hotel rooms.

But this picture…this was the pièce de résistance of all of her work. She really could have been a spy in another life.

Did the alphabet agencies hire women in their mid-fifties? Eva was going to guess they didn’t.

Marvin’s face turned a dark shade of red that suggested embarrassment, Carmen’s nearly matched.

James slunk down in his seat, looking nowhere near devastated, the same red on his face as his wife’s, telling Eva all she needed. He’d known. 

Eva long suspected James and Carmen weren’t really in love. At least not anymore. Eva was pretty sure James also had his own extra-curricular activities and turned a blind eye to Carmen’s affair with his best friend. Heck, they might even have James’ blessing. Eva could totally see Marvin caring way more about that friendship than about his marriage.

She wanted to hold her stomach, the nausea coming on stronger, but she couldn’t show any sign of weakness.

She thought about clicking through the rest of the slideshow but figured this was good enough. Thanks to getting her hands on the guest list, she’d already sent an email copy of the whole presentation to each guest, the journalists, as well as all of the hotel employees. The last group was more for them than for her. She figured it wasn’t fair to give them a peek and then not give them the rest of the show.

And she really didn’t need to include the rest. That one picture was quite magnificent. The evening Eva took the photo, she’d watched as her husband and his mistress left her home together. Eva followed, staying unspotted. She’d been deliriously proud of herself for not getting caught.

Thankfully, that pride helped mask the raging hurt that all but encompassed her. It was only this scheme of revenge that kept her going when all she’d wanted to do was cry and then fall into Marvin’s arms, because he’d been the one to make everything better for the past fifteen years.

But she’d rallied on. Vengeance was a petty motivator, but effective.

Marvin and his mistress ended up at the same swanky restaurant Eva had been begging Marvin to take her to. It wasn’t until that evening she’d known for sure. 

She’d first had her suspicions and then found the texts. There had been makeup on clothes Marvin had worn when he hadn’t been with Eva, a shade much too light to be something Eva would use. 

It was after those clues that she really started her sleuthing. She’d then taken virtual pictures with the Tesla’s camera of lingering hugs outside of the car, but to know for sure, Eva needed to see them with her own two eyes.

And that night as she sat there in the car she’d rented all on her own, blacked-out windows hiding the state-of-the-art camera she was using, she’d taken pictures of her husband kissing his best friend’s wife. Standing in a dark alley between the restaurant and another building before walking out to the valet.

Eva took picture after picture, focusing on that one task, and when she was sure Marvin and Carmen had driven off into the night, she’d jumped out of the car and leaned on the back bumper as she lost the contents of her stomach.

She’d shaken and shuddered the whole way home, having to stop two more times to vomit, knowing she’d have to face Marvin. What would she say? How could she even look him?

And it was in that car, in his garage, that Eva killed the person she’d been for Marvin. The kind, understanding, shaking woman. 

And this Eva emerged. One who would face her husband, lie straight to his face, and then hatch a plan of vengeance behind his back. One who didn’t care what else may come. One who was stronger, smarter, and full of a worldliness Marvin’s Eva couldn’t even imagine.

“Take that down!” Marvin finally shouted pointing at Eva and then the screen behind her.

Eva turned to the picture, some part of her feeling sick all over again, but she pushed away that weak part and instead a wicked smile touched her lips when she read the line she’d put under the picture. And now that love story is dead.

She’d never be a writer, but even she admitted that was quite poetic. Eva turned that wicked smile to her soon-to-be ex-husband.

“Eva!” Marvin shouted as he stood, his chair clattering behind him.

Eva threw the remote in the direction of her husband, but making sure the toss went way behind his head.

She watched for a few seconds as Marvin and Carmen both scrambled for the remote, the photographers taking forever images of every unflattering angle.

Eva’s plan was to tell Marvin it didn’t matter, the rest of the slideshow was already in the inboxes of every person in attendance, but she decided to let that be a surprise to him later. A bomb that just kept on exploding.

Besides, Eva had seen enough. Marvin was devastated. She could see it in his eyes. Some part, maybe all of him, had broken just as she had. 

They were even.

Eva took off her heels and threw them back behind her, let someone on the wait staff enjoy the thousand-dollar shoes. Eva had no use for them. After tonight, she’d no longer wear a single thing she hadn’t chosen for herself. She’d taken the few things from her closet that fit that bill and filled a suitcase before the party. 

According to the terms of the prenup, Eva would have very little to live on, but even knowing that, she wasn’t going to take her designer clothes. She knew Marvin would accuse her of stealing them and that would just drag out the divorce proceedings.

Because now that she had her revenge, Eva just wanted to be done. The excellent divorce attorney she’d consulted had helped her cross every t and dot every i. He’d even helped to make sure her vengeance wouldn’t have any legal repercussions. He’d been a little nervous about Eva sharing all she’d found, but when she’d told him the texts were found on Marvin’s phone that had no password—Marvin had simply been confident that because of Eva’s naivety she’d never distrust him—and that all of the pictures were taken in public places, the lawyer had pretty much approved. He said that Marvin could decide to sue but he wouldn’t have much of a case, and the lawyer had a colleague who’d also been cheated on who would love to represent Eva if Marvin ever went through with the suing.

Eva walked out into the biting January night air, her feet nearly freezing on the spot. But her fury and sadness were a potent combination, fueling her in what she needed to get done. 

The car Marvin let her drive during their marriage was her first stop. She popped the trunk and pulled out her suitcase, the only one she had from before her marriage. She slammed the trunk shut and then left the keys on top of the car. If the car was stolen, that wasn’t on her. She’d left everything right where Marvin could find it. 

She then pulled out the burner phone she’d bought with her meager allowance. Vengeance was time consuming as well as expensive, and Eva had used every last penny to follow through on her plan and then book a plane ticket to Honduras where her mother would allow her to come home.

Eva’s mother was against the plan. Especially when she found out that Eva could be set for life financially if she played by Marvin’s rules. Her mother hadn’t understood Eva’s burning desire to not only get back at the man who’d hurt her beyond repair but also to cut every single tie. Even if he paid her well, how could Eva bear to live the rest of her life on his money?

Her mother asked her whose money she would live the rest of her life on, and Eva said she’d make her own. Her mother called her silly but then told her to come home.

Though Honduras wouldn’t feel like home. Eva had lived in Northern California for most of her life now. Even her accent wasn’t nearly as noticeable as it once was. Her thoughts were now more often in English than in Spanish, and she couldn’t help but feel she was going to a place that held nothing for her. Besides her mom, of course.

But her mom had her own life now. She lived with two of her sisters, and the three of them were a trio of trouble by all accounts. Eva wasn’t sure where she would fit in the mix but with nowhere else to go…

The sound of a bird’s cooing caught Eva’s ears.

She turned to see a pigeon sitting on her old car, right next to where she’d left the keys.

Uh oh. How smart were pigeons? Could the bird take the keys?

She smiled. That would serve Marvin right.

The wind blew and Eva fought off a shiver. With her anger waning and thoughts of her future plaguing her, she was really getting chilled. Her bare arms and bare feet were starting to burn from the cold. 

Eva opened her suitcase and pulled one of the two pairs of shoes she’d brought from home…from Marvin’s home.

Sneakers without socks were going to have to do. She also found a hoodie that had seen better days and realized she really hadn’t packed well. She guessed she’d done the best she could.

Now wearing the dazzling dress covered by a gray hoodie, Eva turned back to the bird that hadn’t moved yet but had cooed two more times. Like it was trying to get Eva’s attention.

She must be losing her mind. Why would a pigeon be trying to get her attention?

Eva closed her suitcase and then stood, knowing she should get a ride share instead of paying attention to a stupid bird. But she swore the thing was calling to her.

As she drew closer she saw something on its leg.

Was the bird hurt?

New Eva might not have much patience for people, but birds were another story. Eva hurried forward and saw that tied to the bird’s leg was a tiny piece of paper.

What the what?

The bird stayed completely still as Eva leaned even closer, and then she stiffened in disbelief.

Did the paper read Eva?

Only Eva’s eyes moved as she glanced from the bird to the keys and then back again. Was this Marvin’s doing? Somehow already getting back at her?

She didn’t see that happening. Gaining revenge on her would mean he cared about her. More likely Marvin was still in that room trying to talk away the picture all those eyes had just witnessed. And maybe trying to steal the photographers’ cameras.

So this wasn’t Marvin.

Then who was it?

There was only one way to find out.

It would have only been on a night like that one that Eva would have the courage—or maybe idiocy—to untie the paper from the pigeon’s leg.

But she did, revealing, of all things, a QR code with two words written above it.

An opportunity.

Eva scoffed. What kind of opportunity would someone want to give her? A fifty-something, cheated-on almost-ex-wife with absolutely no life skills.

It was that analysis of herself that had her pulling out her burner phone and using precious internet minutes to pull up the QR code.

You have quite unusual skills, Eva. Skills that we can appreciate.

Eva frowned. That was more than slightly creepy. Yet, she read on.

You might be wondering who “we” is. We is actually just me.

Eva felt her lips pull up into a smile. Why was she liking this person?

I have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you. A quest, one may say. I, Helen Harmon

She nearly dropped her phone in shock. Helen Harmon? The mysterious widow of the island, Helen Harmon? There were more rumors about this woman than any other in Northern California. If Marvin was rich, Helen Harmon was Midas. She’d fought her way into Northern California’s most prestigious business and real estate circles, made boatloads of money, and then disappeared. Some said she’d died. Others said she’d bought a mansion on Widow’s Island and stayed hidden there. No one knew for sure though. Yet, Helen was reaching out to Eva.

Eva shook her head in disbelief needing to read the rest of the note.

I know people have said all kinds of things about me, but want to know what truly happened? I became a private investigator.

A what? Eva was sure even the wildest of rumors could not have imagined that.

I love what I do. But could use some help. I know you could use some help as well.

That was the understatement of the century.

If you so choose, you can come work for me. Room and board are included. Discretion is key. Nod if you are interested.

That was it? All the information Eva would get? Nod if interested. Was the pigeon going to carry her back to wherever he’d come from?

Wait, the pigeon was gone.

Eva stared at the spot where the pigeon had been, the keys still on top of the car.

Eva had a ticket to Honduras. She had an option. Not a good one, but an option. Only a crazy person would nod and accept a note sent by a carrier pigeon to work for Helen Harmon, right?

Commotion sounded from the front doors of the hotel, and she heard Marvin’s voice. He wasn’t screaming at her so she was pretty sure he hadn’t spotted her yet, but the fact that he was out there with her told her she was out of time. She could hide somewhere and call a ride share and take the path that led her to Honduras—to no job and no future.

Or she could nod…

Eva’s head was nodding, what the heck, and seemingly out of nowhere a black sedan with blacked-out windows appeared right in front of her.

The back door popped open, waiting.

This car was from Helen Harmon, and Helen Harmon was now a PI. That was all Eva knew.

“Eva!” 

Marvin had spotted her. Eva had to make a decision.

Before she could think, she lifted her suitcase and threw it through the open door before sliding in and slamming the door shut behind her.

The doors locked just before the handle rattled, Eva looked up to see Marvin’s angry face glaring in the window.

She doubted he could see her but she could see his rage up close and personal.

“Are you okay, Madam?” A voice from the front of the car asked.

Eva swallowed.

Marvin began pounding on the window, his shouts filling the air.

“Yes,” Eva managed over Marvin’s tantrum.

“Are you ready to go?” the voice asked.

Eva nodded, and somehow that was enough for the driver. The car took off, leaving Marvin, and hopefully Eva’s past, behind.