Page 30 of Evidence of Deceit

“You’re right.”

“Okay, then. I don’t know about you, but I’m done.” Shepicked up their paper cups and napkins and tossed them in the trash. “Mark’s home now. How about we pick up some Chinese food and go home. Sound good to you?”

“You bet.”

Sam and Clairearrived at Mark’s house just as thunder was roaring in the distance, and the air smelled like rain. The occasional bolt of lightning streaked across the sky. Claire noticed Joe’s truck parked in the driveway, and she was anxious to see him. They scurried to the door.

Joe opened the door for them, and Claire found herself staring into worried blue eyes.

“What’s wrong?” Claire asked, her heart already thumping. Something wasn’t right.

“Come in, and I’ll tell you,” said Joe. He helped Claire with her bags and guided her to a chair.

Sam brought the food to the kitchen and walked back in, holding a card. “The news doesn’t have anything to do with the white tulips and card in the kitchen, does it?”

OhmyGodohmyGodohmyGod.Keith. Bile slithered up her gut. This nightmare was the reality of her life. Keith was never going to let her go. No matter where she went, like a bad case of food poisoning, he would show up and ruin her life. She collapsed into a chair.

“Yep. They were on the front step when I arrived. I didn’t open the card.”

Sam came over to Claire, squatted down. “It’s okay. Take a deep breath. We’ll figure it out.”

Claire took a deep breath. The shopping trip, the bonding with Sam, all pleasure gone. “I better open the card.” She reached over to take it from Sam, hands trembling.

“I can open it if you want,” said Sam.

“No. This is my problem.” Claire couldn’t imagine a more pathetic scene than the four of them sitting there staring at an envelope. Summoning up courage she didn’t feel, she ripped the envelope open. A picture fell out to the floor. She glanced down and saw it was their wedding picture. For a moment, she remembered how excited and in love with Keith she had been at the time.

“Do you want to read it out loud or to yourself?” asked Joe.

Claire shrugged her shoulders. “Doesn’t matter. It’s all bull anyhow.”

She opened the floral card.

“Dearest Claire, I can’t tell you how sorry I am about our disagreement.” Claire snorted. Riiight. If that was a disagreement, what was an argument?

“I love you so much. Look how happy we were at our wedding. We can be that happy again if you come home to me. I’ll do anything you want. Please. Love, Keith.”

Claire dropped the card on the floor and leaned back into the chair. Closed her eyes. Keith could wait until hell froze over. She was never going back to him.

Chapter Eighteen

“That’s it.” Joe jumped up. “We’re going to my house.” He glared at Sam and dared her to say no. Although it wouldn’t matter, he was taking Claire away from here, and if Sam fired him, so be it. He was never letting Claire get hurt again.

Sam nodded.

Good.

“Okay, that’s settled. Let’s get this show on the road,” said Joe. Damn, this was not how he wanted the day to end. Claire and Sam had been so animated, happy and smiling when they walked in.

However, Mark’s house had been compromised by Keith too many times now. Joe was afraid the next time Keith would up the ante and attempt something vicious.

“Claire, come on. Let me help you pack,” said Sam.

Sam marched back to Claire’s bedroom, Claire faltering behind. Joe glanced around the living room, at the bags Claire had been carrying—tossed aside, forgotten.

Damn. Hank told him Claire and Sam had gone shopping, needed a little girl time to relax and laugh. So why had Keithsent the flowers now? Coincidence? Happenstance? It didn’t matter. Claire was devastated. Why couldn’t he leave her alone? For that matter, why couldn’t the bastard just up and die?

Claire looked so small and forlorn after reading the card. Keith probably thought the picture was a nice touch—show her happier times, get sentimental with her, and she’d come running back. Claire was romantic like that, but he knew that ship had sailed with Keith.

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