Page 6 of Evidence of Deceit

Mark placed his cup on the table and pulled out a chair. “So, as I was saying, Claire and Keith live in New York City by Central Park. They have a penthouse apartment there.”

“Oh, I love New York City. I’ve been there a few times.” Sam poured herself another cup of coffee and sat opposite Claire. “So, what do you do there?”

“Well.”How to answer that question? What did she do? Nothing.“Keith is involved in his business and has a lot of meetings out of town, so he likes to have me go with him. I don’t work per se, but I do volunteer a couple of days a week, at the gift shop in the Metropolitan Museum.”Did that sound lame or what?

“Oh, I love the Metropolitan. So, what does Keith do?”

“He’s a partner in a law firm.”

“I bet you’re glad to have the opportunity to visit while your husband is away. Although weather-wise, I’m sure New York City is probably a lot cooler than Florida.”

Claire smiled.

Sam squinted her eyes. Was she assessing her? Claire was positive she was. Although her eyes gave nothing away she seemed to take in everything. Could she guess Claire was on the run? Would it even cross her mind? Bet Sam never ran from an abusive situation or a man. She looked like a no-nonsense woman who would kick butt.

“Do you have other relatives in Florida you’re visiting?”

Claire thought for a moment. No, she didn’t, but they didn’t need to know that.

“Yes. Keith’s dad has a condo on the west coast. I’m going there for a couple of days after this.”No lie there, but there was no way in hell she was visiting him. The man hated her and hated that Keith had married her.

Sam’s eyes looked skeptical; she wasn’t buying any of Claire’s story. Besides, Claire knew she was a horrible liar. Lying made her nervous, and she couldn’t stop wringing her hands. Drips of sweat ran down her neck. Had Sam noticed? And her life in New York, living in a penthouse overlooking Central Park, one of the most expensive cities to live in? Her husband a partner in a law firm? Of course, she noticed.

Sam looked her up and down and probably guessed her clothes weren’t the designer ones she left in her closet. She hadn’t the money to buy at an upscale consignment shop, so she shopped in a thrift shop for designer pants and top. The clothes looked clean, but she knew they were slightly worn and faded. She didn’t have makeup to put on, and it had been a while since she’d been to the hairdresser. The mirror hadn’t lied this morning, and she knew she looked haunted and had dark circles under her eyes.

Sam was too sharp, and since she owned a securitybusiness, she probably saw right through Claire’s charade,. She would have to be careful. Keith would destroy anyone who helped her.

Joe knockedon Mark’s door. He was mentally knocking his head for forgetting his wallet. Hadn’t been out of the house in a day and didn’t notice until this morning when he needed to charge gas that it wasn’t in his pocket. Then he remembered he had taken it out for some reason the other night when he and Mark played the video game. He was leaving for his job in a couple of hours, so he had a just a few minutes to get it.

“Guess we’re going to have to call you grandpa if you’re forgetting things,” Mark teased as he opened the door.

Joe punched him in the shoulder.

“Come on in. My cousin’s here, and I want to introduce you.”

Great.Joe hated making small talk with people and talking to relatives. He looked at his watch. “I only have a few minutes before I have to get to the airport.”

Mark smirked. “Uh-huh.”

He followed Mark into the kitchen and spotted his wallet on the counter. Sam was sitting at the table with another woman.

“Joe, I’d like you to meet…” said Mark.

“Joey?”

No, it couldn’t be. He knew that voice although he hadn’t heard it in ten years. Claire couldn’t be Mark’s cousin.

He turned slowly and did a double take. Sam and the woman started standing up. He stood there like a statue, not believing his eyes. His Claire in the flesh. Holy shit. Joe took a minute to look at her. A woman he hadn’t seen in ten years. She had changed from a girl to a woman, was as beautiful asever. Her brunette hair was a little shorter. Her figure had filled in, although she looked a little thin, but he could recognize those whiskey-brown eyes anywhere. However, there was a sadness in them that hadn’t been there before.

“Joey?” said Mark.

Two sets of eyes stared at him, but he only had eyes for her.

“Oh my God. Joey, Joe, I can’t believe it’s you,” Claire said, her voice shaking. She walked over and stood in front of him. Her eyes were wide, and a flush of red streaked down her cheek and neck.

“Slugger,” Joe whispered.

“Slugger?” Sam asked. “What the heck is going on here? Do you know Claire?”

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