Page 79 of The Wife

Angela’s face fell as she realized the implication of Corrine’s statement. “You were watching us?”

“You might think this is over, but it’s only just beginning. Kerry Lynch has been missing for four days now. She left her dog, her ID, her credit cards—everything. Based on other evidence at the house, I don’t think she left of her own accord. If Jason wasn’t here Wednesday night, we need to know that.”

“I have nothing else to say to you, Detective.”

“You told me he was home having dinner with you and watching movies that night, like any normal couple. But now he’s moving out. Something’s not right here.”

“Leave, Detective, or I’ll report you for harassment.”

“All right, but like I said, call me whenever you want.”

50

I didn’t bother with a hello. “What did you do?”

When Susanna asked what I was talking about, I could tell immediately she was feigning confusion.

“You’re the one friend I can trust right now, and you’re lying to me. Stop it. That detective was here again, saying you sent some kind of hint to the district attorney. Something about me testifying in front of a grand jury. What did you do?”

“I’m trying to protect you, Angela.”

“By sending a cop to my door? By forcing me to go to court?”

“I asked you point-blank yesterday whether you would lie for Jason if you got subpoenaed. You promised me that you wouldn’t.”

I had hoped my suspicions were somehow wrong. “And so you tried to make that happen. I can’t believe you did that to me.”

“For you,Angela. I did itforyou, nottoyou. All I did was ask Eric to make a call to see if they were opening a grand jury. Frankly, it wasn’t easy for me to ask that jerk for a favor.”

“Don’t make it sound like I should be grateful to you for this. You stabbed me in the back. You have no idea the kind of danger you’re putting me in.”

“Danger? Are you kidding me? Do you know the ethical compromises I’ve made over and over again since this happened, completely out of loyalty to you? I work for thenewsdivision of a major network, and I’m keeping company with an accused rapist, one whose career I helped launch. Then you go and falsify an alibi for him to the police. Never once have you acknowledged the position that puts me in.”

I was furious at her for trying to manipulate the situation, but even I could see she had a valid point. This entire time, I had been leaning on her for support, knowing that she would put our friendship over her job. I tried to set aside my own emotions to thank her now. I also apologized for only thinking about myself.

“I wouldn’t be upset if you were actually looking out for number one,” she said, “but you’re not. You’re protecting Jason, at your own peril. Spencer’s too. So, yes, that’s why I tried to get you back on track with that call to the DA’s office. I thought that if they opened a grand jury to look into Kerry’s disappearance, it would give you a chance to come clean.”

“He moved out today,” I said suddenly. “Jason. He went to Colin’s. And I served him with divorce papers last night. So you can stop trying to take care of us. I’m doing what I need to do. I made the decision on my way back from your house yesterday, so you had already helped, Susanna.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I don’t think I was ready to say it out loud yet, and it’s all moving so fast. We packed what he needed for now. We’re going to sell the house.” I still couldn’t believe I was in this situation, and the drastic steps I’d need to take to get out of it.

“You’re doing the right thing.”

“I know,” I said quietly.

“I’m sorry about the call to the DA. I was just so frustrated when you left yesterday.”

“It’s okay, Susanna. I understand.”

“I won’t ever stop trying to run your life, you know.” Her voice was softer now. “We’re okay?”

“Of course.”

“So, at the risk of prying again too soon, is this breakup for real, or strictly on paper?” She had been the one to suggest a technical divorce, if only to protect us financially.

“He told her he would leave me for her.” The words surprised me once they were out of my mouth.

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