of this as you go along.
“A waitress at the bar I always go to. She’s been having issues with her boyfriend, and she calls once in a while if she wants a sympathetic ear.”
“What about the jewelry?” Meg locked onto his gaze.
His brain began cranking at warp speed. The detective could have given her details about his purchases. He had to mention all three items. “I bought two pieces for you. One for your birthday, one for Christmas. The third piece was for a buddy to give his girlfriend. He couldn’t figure out what to get her, so I picked it out for him and he paid me back.”
She plucked at a loop on the terry-cloth fabric. “Why did you lie to me about your first wife?”
“Because I was ashamed.” He heaved a sigh that stopped just shy of being overly theatrical. “I wanted a new start with a good woman, and I didn’t think you’d have anything to do with me if I told you my real history. In hindsight, I can see that was a mistake.”
Several beats passed as she studied him. “They think you’re behind the threats Eve’s been getting.”
“I know. It’s crazy.”
“Your DNA was next to her car in the parking lot.”
“Coincidence.” He had to stick with that story. It was the only innocent explanation—and while implausible, it was possible.
Meg swallowed, and her eyes began to shimmer. “I want to believe you.” The admission came out in a whisper.
Yes!
Once again he leaned over. Stroked her cheek. “I’m telling you the truth, babe.”
She didn’t respond.
He scooted closer to her. “Why don’t I lay here for a while with you? Later, if you feel up to it, I could show you how much I love—”
All at once, she clapped the towel to her mouth, scooted off the opposite side of the bed, and dashed for the bathroom.
Seconds later the sounds of retching came from behind the closed door.
His own stomach heaving, Steve hightailed it out of the room and down the hall, where he could no longer hear his wife upchucking.
In the kitchen, he braced his hands on the edge of the sink and took slow, deep breaths until his nausea passed.
He had to get out of here. Find a distraction.
Like Candy.
But paying the curvaceous waitress a visit while he was on law enforcement’s radar would be reckless. For all he knew, they were watching his every move. A car with dark windows had been on his tail during most of his drive home.
Spending the evening with a sick wife, however—especially one who wasn’t up to providing him with an evening meal . . . or satisfying his other appetites—held no appeal.
Why not grab a burger somewhere and see if any of the guys from work wanted to bowl a few games? If he was lucky, by the time he returned, the worst of Meg’s bug would be over.
He picked up his keys from the table, jiggling them as he looked toward the hall. Had he convinced her he was telling the truth? That none of the detective’s allegations had any basis in reality? Or was she weighing his explanations even now, trying to decide who to believe?
Impossible to know. For once, his transparent, needy wife had been difficult to read.
But the cops had no hard proof to tie him to any of the threats made to Eve. Soon, they’d leave him alone and the case would go cold.
As long as he forked out the dough to buy Meg jewelry and kept a low profile with Candy for a while, he could smooth out the waters in his marriage. The setup on the home front was too sweet to muck up. What was not to like about a wife who cooked, cleaned, handled chores, did his bidding, and shared his bed?
Spirits rising, he tossed the keys in the air . . . caught them . . . and strolled toward the door to the garage. This would all turn out fine. Meg was easy to influence, and the cops were at a dead end.
He had this under control.
The first coat of finish was done.
Yay!
Eve swiped the back of her hand over her forehead and surveyed the gleaming hardwood floor in the living room. Not a bad end to the week. One more coat tomorrow, and by next Saturday she could begin putting all her furniture back where it belonged.
At a sudden, loud rumble from beneath her rib cage, she twisted her wrist.
Good grief. Was it seven-thirty already? No