Page 37 of Sins of a Husband

“Thanks. Excuse me? Is your name Mark?” I ask the man sitting beside me.

He turns his head and holds my gaze. “Yeah. Who’s asking?”

“Detective Paige Walker with the NYPD.” I extend my hand.

He stares at my hand momentarily, lifts his, and places it in mine. “Mark Rutkowski.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Mark. You know Katherine Tate, I mean Grisham, correct?”

“Yeah. I know Katherine. Why?”

“When was the last time you spoke to her?”

“A few weeks ago, when I flew to New York.”

“You spoke to her recently?” My brows furrowed.

“Yeah. I needed to tell her about Brian’s affair with my wife.” He tips his glass to his lips and sucks down the last of his bourbon. “Greer, pour me another.”

“How did she act when you told her?”

“I guess like anyone who finds out their husband was cheating on them. She was upset, shaken.”

“So, she didn’t know about the affair before the murder took place?”

“Nope.” He shook his head.

“Would you mind if I talk to your wife?”

“Almost ex-wife.” The hurt in his eyes is undeniable. “I don’t give a shit if you talk to her. In fact, I don’t give a shit about anything to do with her anymore.”

I pull some cash from my wallet and toss it on the bar. “This is for his drinks and mine,” I tell the bartender.

“You don’t have to do that, detective,” Mark says.

“I know. I want to.” I place my hand on his shoulder. “Anyway, can I get your home address?”

He rattles it off, and I type it into my notes.

“Thank you, Mr. Rutkowski. Take care.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

DETECTIVE PAIGE WALKER

“Can I help you?”

“Mrs. Rutkowski, I’m Detective Paige Walker with NYPD. May I speak to you for a moment?”

“I don’t understand. Why do you need to speak with me?”

“I need to ask you a few questions about Katherine and Brian Grisham.”

“Come in.” She gestures. “Can I get you some coffee or something?”

“No. I’m good. Thank you.” I sit on the light gray sectional that occupies most of the living room.”

“It just happened, you know,” she blurts out.

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