Page 8 of Evidence of Deceit

Damn, he felt good. Hillary didn’t mind the perks. She had access to most of his accounts and business as his administrative assistant at the office. A beautiful condo—paid for by him. Designer clothes and spa treatments—paid for by him. Sex on demand—paid for by him. She could take a little pain. Besides the fact that she knew a lot of his secrets, the only other downside was that she was expecting him to marry her—as if.

Claire. Her leaving consumed his thoughts. She disappeared four days ago. Four days. He had to find her and bring her back. She was a wildcat in bed, never complained, and he missed that. Where had she disappeared to? Guess she hadn’t learned her lesson about not leaving him after the last time. This time when he got her back, the punishment would have to be harsher to reinforce that.

The thoughts of punishing Claire made him hard again. He turned toward Hillary. Grinned. A look of pain passed over her eyes. Too bad. He pushed her on her knees to the floor. She gave a faint smile and reached for him.Good girl!She was a fast learner.

Today he would enjoy fucking Hillary again. Tomorrow, he would take a little trip to Claire’s parents and find out if they heard anything from her.

Claire’s parentslived in the tony community of Larchmont, not far from Manhattan. Keith rented a car for the day and an hour later pulled up to the Tudor-style house and parked in front. It was a modest neighborhood from allaccounts, but he knew homes in the area sold for more than a million.

Walking up several stone stairs to the slate walk, he rehearsed what he wanted to say to them. Had to be careful because her parents didn’t like him. He hated them.

He rang the bell once, heard it chime inside, and a woman’s voice called out, “Be there in a minute.” He tapped his foot, waiting for them to open the door.

A shadow passed by the peephole, and then the door opened. An older version of Claire stood in front of him. Dislike, then surprise filled her eyes.

“Why, Keith. Hello. What a surprise. Come in.” She peered around him. “Claire isn’t with you?”

Bitch.

No, Claire wasn’t with him.

“No. I wanted to discuss a problem Claire and I are having with you and George.” He peered around her. “That is, if he’s home.” He knew George was home. He’d called his office earlier.

“Oh, dear. Have a seat, and I’ll get him. You’re in luck. He’s working from home this week.” She motioned toward the expansive living room. Another few steps, and he settled into a comfy white chair. It was a pleasant room, light and airy—expensive furniture. Massive stone fireplace, but it was too warm for a fire.

He heard their footsteps, and Claire’s parents walked in. He got up to shake hands with her father, and they sat on the sofa across from him.

George leaned forward and cleared his throat. “Diane tells me you have something to discuss. Is there a problem?’

Hell, yeah, dickhead, there’s a problem.

Keith lowered his voice, forced a tear to his eye. “I don’t know how to tell you this, but Claire has disappeared.”

He loved the shock and surprise on their faces.Yes, bitches, your precious Claire has disappeared.

“Oh, my goodness.” Diane covered her mouth, her eyes wide. “What happened? You haven’t heard from her at all?”

Keith clasped his hands, hung his head for a moment, then raised it.

“Claire is suffering from depression, and no, I haven’t heard from her. The doctor put her on medication. We thought it helped, but her depression got worse.”

Diane inhaled. “Oh, my poor Claire. We didn’t know.”

“I had to institutionalize her for a week.”

They were stunned.

“I thought she was feeling better after she came home. But a couple of days ago, she up and left. I haven’t heard from her. She left her medication. I’m so afraid for her.” He put his hands over his eyes and let out a sob. Not too much, just enough to get sympathy.

Diane rushed over and patted his shoulder. “You poor thing. I wish she or you had told us about this problem before.”

Suck it up, baby.“Claire didn’t want to worry you and made me promise not to say anything.” He looked from one parent to the next. “I was hoping she had come here. Did she?” He glanced around. “Has she called you?”

George looked over at Diane. “No. We haven’t heard from her at all.”

“I hope you would tell me if she did. I’m so worried about her.” Keith laid the guilt on thick. He needed to find Claire and had hoped she was here. Although, if she were, would they tell him? Maybe not. He had burned that bridge so to speak when he weaned Claire off her parents.

“Would she have gone to Ashley’s?” Keith asked. He didn’t think so. Her sister Ashley lived at the New Jersey shore, and he had squashed that relationship too. Ashley hated him.

---