There was a brief pause on the other end.
“I called yesterday but they didn’t answer.”
“It’s been a couple of months now.”
He sighed. “I know.”
Jason and his wife, Jesse, had lost the baby she’d been pregnant with. While Robert still had his doubts that the baby was even Jason’s, we had tried to be there for the couple. Unfortunately, it appeared Jason was dealing with the loss in the usual destructive ways he dealt with life. Only this time, Jesse was along for the ride, seeming to stick by his side.
“Maybe we should invite them over this weekend.”
“Deborah—”
“Hear me out, Robert. Jason obviously envies you and was trying to one up you. But he and his wife are dealing with a loss. She was five months pregnant. I remember when they came over a few weeks before it happened. Jesse was so happy to feel the baby kicking inside of her. I can’t imagine the pain she must be feeling. Surely, you can put aside whatever anger you have toward your brother to comfort him and his wife.”
It took a while for Robert to respond. Finally, he pushed out a heavy breath and said, “I’ll invite them over. We’ll have dinner together this weekend, whether he wants to or not.”
I nodded even though he couldn’t see me.
“I love you.”
“You’re really going to love me after this gouda grilled cheese I prepare tonight.”
I giggled just before hanging up the phone.
Minutes later, I realized that my mood had shifted entirely. That short conversation with Robert had been enough to lighten my spirits and shrug off what Cohen had said earlier.
I didn’t need to concern myself with what Cohen or anyone else thought of Robert and my relationship. In my heart, I knew we were made for each other.
****
Then
Robert
“It’s not looking good,” Rick stated as I sat across from him at a local dive diner we’d designated as our meeting spot. The diner was located on the outskirts of Williamsport, far from Townsend Industries.
“What’s not looking good?”
Rick parted his mouth but then quickly closed it when the waitress brought us the meals we’d ordered. I immediately pushed my plate aside, wanting to know more about what he’d found in his investigation so far, than in any food.
I watched as he cut into the T-bone steak he’d ordered with eggs and biscuits. How anyone could eat steak at seven in the morning was beyond me. But that wasn’t my concern at the moment.
“None of it,” he answered after swallowing his food. He wiped his hands before sliding a manila envelope across the cracked wood of the table.
Taking the envelope, I pulled out the photos that were inside. I looked them over, as Rick continued to eat. The first three or four photos were of men who worked for Townsend as execs. The photos were of them getting in and out of cars, or meeting with my father or another coworker over lunch. The final photo was what had shocked me. I paused, holding it up, examining every angle of the picture.
“Is this Deborah?” My eyes went to Rick. It was a stupid question. The image was of a woman from behind, but I knew my wife. I knew what she looked like from every angle. I didn’t need to see her face to know it was her.
“She look familiar?”
“Don’t get fucking coy.”
Rick slowly placed the knife and fork he’d been using to cut his food down, and wiped his mouth with one of the paper napkins before peering across the table at me.
“Look, this is what the investigation has turned up so far. That looks eerily similar to a woman fitting your wife’s description. And they,” he nodded toward the picture, “are two men standing to greet her. Two men who work for Townsend Industries. One is high up in Townsend’s security staff, and the other is—”
“Will Chisolm. He’s a top exec in the finance department.”
