Page 37 of His

Astor leans back. “I’m bored.”

“I’d rather be back in Louisiana.”

This earns me a laugh. He sighs. “There’s got to be something here.”

I’m just about to refill our mugs when?—

“Wait.” Astor squints, leans forward, studying a teeny-tiny arrow next to one of her mailboxes. He clicks on it. A new folder opens up. Inside it is another folder.

“This is a hidden mailbox. She intentionally hid whatever’s in this.”

A password box appears on the screen.

My brows pop. The coffee can definitely wait.

After two failed attempts, Astor calls Cillian.

I watch as Astor pulls what looks like a hard drive from the drawer and plugs it into the laptop. Several programs pop up. Cillian walks him through each one.

Under a minute later, the program cracks the password and the folder opens.

Astor hangs up.

“What are you waiting for? Open it.”

Inside are hundreds of emails between Valerie and someone named [email protected]

We look at each other. My pulse picks up and I can tell by the little vein in his neck that his does too.

He clicks into one.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

I can’t wait to see you. I can’t stop thinking about you or what our life will be like when we’re finally together.

Love, Valerie

“Oh, my God,” I cover my mouth with my hand. Astor wasn’t the only one having an affair.

I grab Astor’s hand before he clicks into the response. “Wait. Are you sure you want to do this?”

“Is there any way I can’t do this?”

“Fair point.”

My stomach twists and I get the sick feeling we are about to open Pandora’s box.

Astor clicks into the response.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Soon. I miss you too. The plan is almost in place. Be patient, we’ll be together again soon. I love you so much.

Carlos