Page 22 of Sadie's Guarded Harbor

Clara dropped her gaze to the hands she clenched together on her knees. “We dated a long time ago. A lifetime ago, really.”

Tommy leaned forward to hear her quiet voice, nearly swallowed by the singing monkeys on television. “And recently?”

Tears swam in her eyes. “We’ve talked.”

Tommy blew out a long breath. He’d rather walk through a minefield than press Clara on her relationship with Shawn. But it had to be done. “Did he mention anything to you about anyone wanting to hurt him? Was he in an argument with anyone?”

She shook her head. “No.” Tears spilled over her cheeks, and she swiped them away.

“I don’t mean to be indelicate,” Sadie said. “But we have to know. Were you and Shawn romantically involved?”

Clara pressed her fingers against closed eyes. “Oh my God. How did you know? This can’t get out. If Mitch knew. If someone told him...”

“We haven’t spoken with your husband.” Tommy wanted to reassure her that Mitch wouldn’t find out what she’d done, butif her husband already knew what his wife was up to, he’d just become suspect number one. “But could it be possible someone else did?”

Dropping her hands, she stared at him with devastation written on every line in her face. “We were so careful. And we only slept together a couple times.” She darted her gaze to her children, both facing the large screen with blank eyes.

Gaining his wits, he glanced around the room. A smattering of toys littered the floor, but otherwise not a speck of dust lingered on any surfaces. A light scent of vanilla or cupcakes or something sweet lingered in the air. This was a home, put together by someone who cared about their space. How could a married mother of two who seemed to have her life together end up in bed with Shawn?

God, he hoped it wasn’t at Shawn’s place. He fought a cringe and shoved the ridiculous thought from his head. This wasn’t a time for judgement. Why she made her choices didn’t matter—only if those choices were the reason Shawn ended up dead.

A sharp gasp regained his attention. Clara stood and covered her opened mouth with her hand. “How did you know? If you found out, Mitch could have, too. Oh my God. What am I going to do? What if he knows?”

A soft whimper sounded from the baby. Her lip trembled.

Sadie rose and offered a comforting hand to Clara. “We asked the right questions. People talk to us, especially when someone is murdered.”

Clara bit into her thumbnail, obviously not convinced her secret was well guarded.

“Now, have you and Shawn been…speaking…for a while?” Sadie asked.

“A few months.”

A loud wail came out of the tiny baby, and Tommy cringed.

Clara swooped the child into her arms and bounced up and down. “I was lonely. Mitch and I had a big fight. I ran into Shawn at the bar. We started talking about old times. It was like the old Shawn was back. He was upset about his situation with Melissa. I thought…” She shrugged and wiped the tears from the baby’s face. “I don’t know what I thought. Maybe I could have my old life back—a life with someone who really loved me. Maybe we could help each other.”

Feeling foolish as the only one still sitting, Tommy stood. “Is there any reason for you to believe Mitch found out about your relationship with Shawn? Has he been short-tempered lately? Angry? Or possibly the opposite. More attentive and loving? Maybe afraid to lose you and trying hard to hold on?”

She snorted. “No way he’d be attentive and loving if he found out I had an affair. Especially with Shawn. And if he knew, trust me, he’d make sure I paid.”

Her words were like rocks landing in Tommy’s stomach. “What does that mean? Would he hurt you?”

She pressed the baby tight to her chest like a shield.

“Clara. Has Mitch hurt you before?” Sadie pivoted, blocking the boy sitting in front of the television as if she could protect him from the ugliness of the conversation.

“He’s a passionate man. Sometimes he can get out of control. It’s usually just yelling.”

Anger had Tommy fisting his hands. “Usually?”

Clara met his stare, her silence enough to answer the question.

Sonofabitch.

“We should get going.” Sadie pressed a card into Clara’s palm. “If you think of anything that can help us figure out who killed Shawn, please call. For that, or any other reason. We’re here for you. I’m here for you. There are places that can help keep you and your children safe. All you have to do is ask.”

Clara sniffed back her emotion. “He wanted to change. Wanted to get his life back on track. Said he needed to make amends before he could bury his demons.”

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