How To Salsa in a Sari by Dona Sarkar Page A

She had just restashed the Bible when the door of the library swung open.
    She looked up guiltily, her hand still on the handle of the now-closed drawer.
    Diego stood in the doorway. Issa’s throat closed up. He was going to kill her and bury her body under the swimming pool. Just like in Desperate Housewives. Oh, boy, this was going to be bad.
    Diego smiled. “How’re you feeling? Your mother told me you weren’t well. Your mother and I are both taking the afternoon off to take care of you.”
    Issa’s brain told her to move, to say something, to come up with an excuse for why she was sitting here in front of his desk. “I, um, I’m sorry. I came here to look for the Austen and I couldn’t find it. I should just go—”
    Issa forced herself to stand and walk as quickly as possible to the door of the study.
    Diego placed a hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry. I forgot to tell you where the book is. Let me get it for you.”
    As he turned his back, Issa prepared to run. She could run down the street and knock on a neighbor’s door. She had to call the police. She had to warn her mother.
    Diego reached into one of the shelves, his eyes grazing the shelf with the hidden box. Did he notice something off? “Here we are.”
    She had to get back to Athens Academy and see her mother in person. They had to run. They could never come back here again.
    â€œPlease.” Diego held the book out. “It’s yours.”
    Issa swallowed. She couldn’t arouse his suspicions. She forced herself to smile. “Thanks, Diego. This is so nice of you.” She realized her voice sounded high-pitched and terrified.
    â€œOh, you don’t sound well at all.” Diego’s face creased with concern. “Please take the book and go lie down for a while. I’ll call your mother and tell her I’m here now.”
    Issa reached out and took the book, keeping as much space between them as possible. “Thanks. I’ll see you later.”
    â€œPlease call if you need anything,” Diego was saying as Issa practically ran from the room.
    Police! Issa’s mind screamed as she ran past the pool to the guest house.
    Alisha’s car skidded to a stop, barely missing Issa.
    Thank God! They had to get in the car and go now. They would get the police. Diego wouldn’t be able to hurt them anymore. “Mom!”
    Alisha got out of the driver’s side. “I called the guest house and there was no answer. I just wanted to make sure—”
    â€œMom! Oh my God. You won’t believe—get back in the car. We have to go. Now!” Issa was shaking as she threw open the door to the passenger side, earning a groan from the rusted Toyota.
    â€œWhat the hell—”
    â€œDiego is a murderer!”

CHAPTER 8
    Marriages Are Made in Heaven. But So Again Are Thunder and Lightning
    â€œHave you been taking too much cough syrup?” Alisha rolled her eyes, tucking a stray strand of hair back into her waist-length braid. “I think you should go inside and lie down.”
    If Issa hadn’t seen the newspaper for herself, she wouldn’t have believed it either. But her mother had to trust her. She couldn’t go into the house with Diego. Who knew what Diego would do if he discovered the truth?
    â€œMom, I am not making this up. I know it sounds unbelievable, but…I saw it for myself. In his study there are these articles. About a murder in Cuba. He killed his wife!”
    Alisha slammed the car door shut, her face setting with anger. “What were you doing snooping in his study? Diego very kindly took us into his house. You can’t go through his personal things!”
    â€œAre you not hearing me! He has evidence in his office. It’s in—”
    â€œStop this right now.” Issa had never heard Alisha use that tone before, but once Alisha heard the truth, she would know why Issa was acting like a