pants, a tank, and said you’d taken your mat out by the pool to do some yoga.”
“Which is exactly what I did, or is that a crime now?”
“Black yoga pants,” Rosemary said, shutting her eyes, bringing it back. “A black-and-white flowered tank.”
“Yes.” Aidan nodded.
“Obviously, Rosemary saw me coming back from the pool, and she’s confused.”
“Seems to be a lot of ‘confused,’ ” Red said easily. “Cate seems pretty clear on it.”
“She’s still in shock, may still be under the influence of whatever those monsters gave her.”
“That would be the monsters who took her to the Wenfield cabin, about three miles from here as the crow flies.” He kept his eyes on Charlotte’s as he spoke. “Maybe you figure they’re confused, too.”
He watched her pale, watched her fingers dig into the arms of the chair. Smelled the lie before she spoke it.
“They’re criminals, liars. They’re working with that heartless bitch.” She flung a hand out at Nina. “Turning my own flesh and blood against me, and for money.”
“I’d cut off my hand before I’d hurt or let anyone hurt my Caitlyn. I’ll take a lie detector test,” Nina said to Red. “I’ll do anything you want.”
“She talked to him on the phone—not Nina,” Cate insisted. “He asked if she’d used the nanny’s phone, and said good. He called her ‘lover.’ And his phone, when it rang, it was ‘The Mexican Hat Dance.’ I know because we learned it in dance class.”
Nina’s hand flew to her mouth, but didn’t quite smother the gasp.
“See, she’s guilty.”
“I did nothing.” Nina took out her phone as she rose, put in the code, handed it to Red. And leaning down, whispered, “I have something to say, but I don’t want to say it in front of Caitlyn.”
He nodded, shifted to smile at Lily. “Ma’am—and I want to say I’ve sure enjoyed your movies over the years—I wonder, since we all have this fine coffee, if you’d take Cate back, maybe get her a drink.”
“You want to say something you don’t want me to hear. It happened to me. I should hear.”
She had a stubborn line between her eyebrows when they came together. He had to respect that. “That may be so, honey, but I need you to give me just a couple minutes first. I’d really appreciate it.”
“Come on, sweets. Let’s get us a Coke.”
“I don’t allow my child to drink carbonated sugar!”
“Well, bless your heart.” With that eyebrow arch for Charlotte, Lily took Cate’s hand. “Guess who’s not in charge today?”
Red waited a minute, then nodded to Nina. “What do you want to say?”
“I don’t want to say it. I wish I didn’t have to, and I’m so sorry, Mr. Aidan. I’m so sorry, but Ms. Dupont . . .” Embarrassed color flooded Nina’s cheeks. “She’s been having sex with Mr. Sparks.”
“Liar!” Surging up, a flurry of white silk, Charlotte slapped at Aidan when he tried to stop her. She leaped at Nina. She managed to get a swipe of nails down Nina’s cheek before Michaela restrained her.
Even then, she struggled, kicked back.
“You’re going to end up in cuffs,” Red warned her in the same tone he might’ve used to comment it looked like rain. “Assault, and assaulting an officer. You better sit back down before you end up cooling your temper in jail.”
“My lawyers will sue you both out of your jobs. And bury you,” she told Nina.
Slow, calm, Red got to his feet. “Sit down. Or I’ll charge you here and now, have you taken in, booked. Nina, do you want medical attention?”
“It’s all right. I’m not lying.”
“Why don’t you tell me why you think Ms. Dupont’s having an affair with this Mr. Sparks?”
“I don’t think, I know, because I walked in on them. I’m so sorry, Mr. Aidan. She said she’d fire me and see I’d never get another job if I said anything.”
“Aidan, you can’t believe that.” Now Charlotte reached for his hand, her face filled with love and sorrow. “You can’t possibly believe I’d be unfaithful.”
He pulled his hand free. “Do you honestly think I’d give a goddamn at this point about you having sex with your personal trainer? Do you think I give any kind of damn about you now?”
“Oh, oh, Aidan!”
“You can turn off the fucking tears, Charlotte. That scene’s played out.”
“Nina, why would it matter right now about Ms. Dupont and Mr. Sparks?”
“His ringtone. I’ve heard the ringtone on his phone. It’s that one Cate said. The hat dance one.”
“As if Grant’s the only one in the