Page 67 of The Business Trip

Anna wrote back right away:

What is she helping with?

I had probably said too much. I didn’t answer that one.

Someone named Dave Jenssen started calling and leaving Steph messages. From the tone of his voice, I gathered that he was her superior, but I didn’t like his demands, very much like Glenn would sometimes talk to me. Dave kept insisting that Stephanie call him that instant to explain herself. I put my middle finger up at the phone and decided not to have anycontact with him at all. He could stew in his own anger for a while.

Then there was Robert, the neighbor and cat-sitter. He was going to get the mother lode, the full onslaught of pictures from me that proved I was with Trent and could later be used by police. I sprinkled them throughout the day.

This is Trent’s place. Check it out on Zillow, it’s gorgeous inside

I put in the picture of the white stucco building and added Trent’s exact address for extra evidence. Robert responded:

Ahh, the love nest. Very nice

A few hours later, I sent Robert the latte picture, the two mugs cozied near each other, conjuring up images of two people in love out for coffee.

Checking out the local places in Trent’s neighborhood, Peachtree Village. It’s an area just full of life

He responded:

L’chaim, l’chaim, to life!

I had no idea what that meant so I ignored it.

That afternoon, I sent two more pictures and the fake voice memo. The first picture was the one Raven took where I waslooking out over Centennial Olympic Park, fountains dancing in front of me.

He’s such a good tour guide, he’s taking me all over the city

Then I got to work on the voice memo regarding the photo from the TV station. I wanted to plant the first seed of Trent being not exactly an entirely great guy, so I attached the picture from his station and the fake voice memo:

“Last stop: Trent’s station! He’s the boss here and he’s very bossy with me—tells me exactly where we should go and what we should do and I just follow. Talk soon!”

The response came in.

Great to hear your voice. Have an amazing time. Fred is doing fine.

Yeeeessss. He believed it. I sent a final text with the picture of the tackyGREETINGS FROM HOT-LANTAmug about twenty minutes later.

Your gift from my trip

How fun! Thanks.

I smiled. Next came a text from someone named Lucy.

I hear you’re out this week. Should I reschedule thatmeeting with Mark R.? He’ll be very disappointed but I’m sure he’ll get over it

Another coworker. Sigh. I’d have to act like another meeting was being rescheduled. I waited about an hour and then wrote her back:

Yes, please reschedule with Mark R.

Lucy responded:

Mark R. says to call him as soon as you can, he misses you

That seemed odd. Was Stephanie having an affair with Mark R.? Why would Lucy say he missed her? I didn’t know how to respond, so I ignored it, hoping Lucy would go away. Instead, a third text came from her:

Are you dissing Mark R.? You know he’ll turn into the Hulk

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