Page 40 of Ruthless Cross

"All right," he said. "Just remember to ask more questions than you answer. We want to find out what Moira knows without telling her what we know."

"Got it."

"And put the call on speaker."

"I will." She punched in Moira's number, which was already programmed into her mother's phone. It rang twice and then Moira picked up.

"Juliette? Are you all right?"

"It's actually Callie, Moira."

"Oh, Callie, I'm so sorry. I can't believe this. I've been crying all day. I just don't want it to be true."

"I know. I feel the same way."

"How is your mother?"

"She's resting. I didn't want you to think she didn't appreciate your text. She just can't talk to anyone right now."

"Oh, I wasn't expecting an answer. I'm sure she's very upset." Moira paused. "I know a little about her problems, Callie, so if I can help, please ask."

"Actually, you can help. I don't know how to say this, so I'm just going to say it. My mom is getting a lot of questions about Arthur and other women. I know you want to protect his reputation, and so do I, but I need to know the truth so that I can also protect my mother. I think, together, we can figure out a way to keep private what needs to be private."

"Oh, Callie. I'm not sure what to tell you."

"Was Arthur having an affair, Moira?"

There was a long silence at the other end of the phone. Then Moira said, "I never thought he would cheat on your mom. He was madly in love with her. But the last two months, he was different. He was tense and out of sorts. He didn't want to take the call sometimes when your mom was on the phone. And about three weeks ago, he asked me to make him a dinner reservation for two in Palm Springs. When I asked him if he was taking Juliette, he said that she was busy and that he'd be going with a friend."

"Do you know who he took?"

"I'm assuming it was someone named Layana, because he got on the phone with her right after I told him the details of the reservation. I just heard him say her name. I didn't hear anything else. That's all I know, Callie. It could have been innocent. She could have been a colleague, although I hadn't heard the name before."

"Have you given the FBI this information?"

"Not yet. I don't know for sure that there was anything going on romantically. I would hate to say Arthur was having an affair when I'm not certain. Your mother would be devastated. And Arthur's reputation would be damaged. But if you or your mother knows who this Layana is, you might want to get in front of this."

"I definitely want to do that. Thanks for telling me."

"Do you know if there are any suspects?"

"I don't."

"Is there anything I can do to help you and your mom with funeral arrangements?"

"We're talking about all that. I'll let you know when we know."

"All right. Take care."

"You, too."

She ended the call and looked at Flynn, feeling unsettled by Moira's words. "She tried really hard not to say Arthur was having an affair, but she obviously thought that he was."

"I would agree."

"My mother's instincts were right. Arthur was having an affair. And the woman who sent my mother that threatening message is probably his lover."

"Possibly."

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