Page 15 of One Last Goodbye

“Shit. Damn it, I knew better than to say that the moment the words slipped my mouth.”

“Who, Sean?”

“Politicians in various countries. Business owners, wealthy families… hell, they’re the second-largest hedge fund in Europe. Sheikhs put money into his business. Royals, nobles, other investors… I could get you a full list if you want reading material, but the point is that he’s not the sort of man you make trouble for.”

“I don’t intend to make trouble for him,” I promise. “I intend to protect the children. If he is involved in illegal business, then he could incur the wrath of some of his clients if his actions threaten their money. If he is the jealous type, or Catherine is,then a fit of passion over an affair might result in one of them dead. You might think I’m only a nosy bitch, but there’s a reason I do this. Ihatesecrets, Sean. Secrets hurt innocent people. These children are innocent, and their parents have secrets that willhurtthem. I refuse to let that happen.”

My voice rises while I speak, and I glance around to make sure I’m not overheard. I’m on the balcony of my room now, and I have a view of the garden that I assume will be wonderful during the summer but now only reveals bare and twisted branches.

“Christ,” Sean swears. “Whatever happened to letting sleeping dogs lie?”

“Dogs don’t sleep forever, Sean.”

“All right! I already said I’d do it. Just… When this is over, you and I are going to have a talk about the future of our association. I didn’t agree to be your fly on every wall.”

“Whydidyou become a private investigator if not to uncover secrets?”

“I thought I’d be taking pictures of cheating husbands, not spying on corrupt billionaires.”

“Well, just pretend you’re doing a normal job.”

“Yes, until a hired killer puts a bullet in my eye.”

“Moan, moan, moan,” I retort. “Man up and do your job.”

“I wonder what people would say about you if they knew this side of you?” he says sourly.

“Nothing I haven’t heard before.”

I hang up and take several deep breaths to calm myself. I suppose part of my frustration is motivated by guilt. In my private thoughts, I can admit that my curiosity is not altruistic. I believe that knowing the secrets this family holds will allow me to better care for the children, but Sean’s right. It’s a stretch to act like knowing the sordid details of Frederick’s and Catherine’s lives will somehow help me prepare for the emotional falloutof the couple’s dissolving marriage. And as for the risk of murder, that’s even more of a stretch. It’s nothing more than a coincidence that I’ve happened to work for three families where murders occurred as a result of love affairs. That isn’t the statistical norm by any means.

But I just hate secrets. I just hate that people can’t be honest with each other. What’s the point? What pain do you save yourself by hiding your true actions and behavior?

A knock on my door startles me out of my thoughts. I sigh and push my irritation at Sean to the background of my mind. It’s probably the children telling me they’ve completed their work.

I answer to see not the children but Sophie. She smiles sympathetically at me and holds up a tea service.

“You are the answer to every prayer, Sophie,” I say gratefully.

She laughs and says, “It’s a gift. Shall we take this tea on the balcony or the porch?”

“The balcony,” I answer. “I feel like looking down on the world today.”

She laughs again and replies, “Well, don’t look up, then. Juliet is cleaning the fifth floor today. You might catch her looking down on you if you glance at the wrong time.”

“I will keep my eyes fixed firmly toward the Earth,” I promise.

I return to the balcony with my new friend in tow, and we enjoy our tea. For several minutes, we don't speak. There is something comforting in having someone to share silence with. Somehow knowing that someone else is choosing to relax makes my own choice to relax feel better. Don't ask me to explain how this works. I'm not entirely sure of it myself.

Sophie breaks the silence after refilling our cups. “It wouldn’t be the first time. For either of them.”

I don’t need to ask what she’s talking about. “So they’ve both been unfaithful before?”

“Oh yes. Frederick never stopped being a ladies’ man. He just became quieter about it. No more parties with dozens of young models, but… well, let’s just say he has more than one cell phone.”

I scoff. “Some men are so disgusting.”

“It’s not just men,” Sophie replies. “Catherine has enjoyed her fair share of fun.”

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