Page 35 of Evidence of Deceit

One step in front of the other, she walked up to the front desk, resisting the urge to turn and run. She had forgotten the room number on top of everything.

“What room is Keith Willis in?”

The attendant asked for her identification and told her Mr. Willis was expecting her.

“Give me his phone number.” Claire dialed his number, and when Keith answered, she explained to him in no uncertain terms that she would only meet him in the lobby. He started to give her grief but finally agreed to come down.

She stood by the front desk. A few minutes later, Keith stepped out from a bank of elevators. He was nattily dressed in a crisp white shirt and dark pants, his blond hair perfectly coiffed, not a hair out of place. He looked arrogantly around the lobby until he spotted her.

“Claire.” His eyes sparkled as he walked over and bent over to kiss her. She leaned back and avoided the kiss. Anger flashed in his eyes for a quick second until he smirked. There was an empty seating area, and he motioned for her to sit next to him on a couch, but she sat down in one of the chairs. Keith frowned but didn’t say anything. He looked her over from head to toe. A predatory look that made Claire flinch. He smiled.

“God, you look good. I’ve missed you so much,” he said.He tried reaching for her hands, but she pulled away.

“Keith, I want you to stop following me. I’m never coming back to you.”

He cocked his head. A tear slipped down his cheek. “Claire, please give us another chance. You’ll find I’ve changed since you’ve left. I’m so sorry I caused you pain. I’m begging you. Please come home.”

Keith looked so apologetic and contrite. Claire knew he probably felt that way right now, but he hadn’t changed. He did this to her every time he abused her.

“Sweetheart, I’ve changed. Well, trying to change. I’ll go to anger management classes; we’ll get couples therapy. Anything for you. Please come home.”

“Keith, read my lips. I am never coming back to you.”

Keith narrowed his eyes and pursed his lips. Took a moment to reply. “Are you saying you want a divorce?”

“Yes.”

Silence. Claire suspected he was weighing his possibilities, although he did look crestfallen. “Claire, oh, Claire. I need you. Please come home.”

She shook her head. “I want a divorce.”

“You’ve found someone new. Haven’t you? Couldn’t wait to get rid of me.” Anger dripped from his voice.

“No, and you know that’s not it.”

They stared at each other for a minute. Claire was sure Keith would never give in.

Her heart plummeted. Could he, would he say yes? She sent a short prayer upward.

He took a deep breath, let it out. Silence again. He sighed. “I suppose if I can’t convince you to come home, send me the papers and I’ll sign them.”

Claire was dumbfounded.It couldn’t be that easy.What was the catch?

“You mean that?”

He nodded. “Yes, I do. I only want you to be happy. Send them to my office in New York.”

She stood to leave. Keith got up, blew her a kiss and walked toward the elevators.

Now what? That was too easy. Claire didn’t believe him for a minute, but she would contact that divorce lawyer Sam knew. Maybe it would work out. If not, she didn’t have anything to lose. She would disappear.

The immediate problem was the mystery man. He promised he would bring her back to Joe’s, but where was he? She didn’t have her purse to take a cab. Not that she had enough money to pay for one. Still… She started over to the front desk to call Joe when the mystery man stepped up to the counter.

“Ready?”

God, yes, she was ready. She needed to get out of here. She needed to see Joe. She needed a shower to wash the slime away. She needed a lawyer. She needed a lot of things.

Joe stoppedat the store for the food Claire wanted for dinner and arrived home anxious to see her. He parked in the driveway and started walking up the path.

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