Tell Them I'm Dead

By Gregory Payette

Cheryl tries hard to make the most out of the life she chose with her husband, Jerry.

But life's not easy.

Not when Jerry thinks he's smarter than everyone else.

At least Cheryl has her gin and tonics and HGTV.

When Jerry comes up with a scheme to cash in on his life insurance policy so he and Cheryl can finally live the life that's always eluded them, Cheryl comes up with a plan of her own.

Tell Them I'm Dead is a short story with suspense and twists.

• Language: English
• Publisher: 8 Flags Publishing, Inc
• Release date: May 8, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393256854

Book preview

Tell Them I’m Dead

CHERYL LOOKED UP FROM her Better Homes and Gardens magazine, sipped her gin and tonic and watched her husband Jerry over the top of her glass.

He stared at the TV from his stained, worn recliner with the cotton insides coming through the arms. You see these two fools? The sister’d kept her mouth shut they would’ve never gotten caught. He looked back at Cheryl, his eyes on her long legs coming out from under her dress. I’m worth three-hundred-fifty grand, he said.

She looked at him, waiting for the punchline.

I don’t mean now, but, if I’m dead.

And there it was.

Cheryl closed the magazine and put it down on the table next to her, the table she’d taken from her parents’ house after they died.

Jerry got out of his chair and stood in front of the fireplace with his back to Cheryl. He scratched the back of his head.

Why would you say something like that? she said. But she wasn’t sure she wanted to know.

Jerry turned and said, Life insurance. I have a pretty good policy, you know. When I die, a lot of money would come your way.

Cheryl cracked half a smile, feeling the gin in her head now. Are you dying?

Jerry shook his head. Weren’t you paying attention? Those two women on the news—the two sisters—scammed their insurance company. The older one faked her death. Almost got away with it, but one of ‘em went to bed with a retired cop. He looked toward the TV. Guess he figured it out, somehow.

Cheryl took a deep breath as she watched Jerry. She reached for her gin and tonic and took a sip.

He walked past her toward the front of the