Page 52 of The Husband's Secret
“Ms. Devers, if you’re calling for an update, there’s nothing new on this end. I have been briefed about your missing child and your talk with the intruder Detective Shelton picked up. So, it seems you are as well or more enlightened than I.”
“No, I’m not calling about an update. I’m calling because I think I’ve found something important that Scott had hidden in my house. I really feel like you need to see it.”
A moment’s hesitation, then, “Have you called Detective Shelton?”
“No, I…” She sighed. “I don’t know how to put this politely so I’m just going to say it. I don’t trust Detective Shelton. He’s been holding back so many details, and I just don’t know about him. Besides, you work for the FBI. If you can’t help me, no one can.” She glanced at Ben, who was smiling. Evidently he was impressed with the way she had buttered up the fake special agent.
“What did you find, Ms. Devers?”
“I’m not sure what it is,” she said, trying to sound uncertain and worried—both of which she was. “But it’s several series of numbers and a list of names. Given the firm worked in investments, I’m thinking this is important.”
Silence. She held Ben’s gaze…her heart doing flip-flops.
“Can you read some of the numbers off to me or perhaps give me the names?”
“I really don’t want to do this over the phone. Can you come to my house at seven? I’ll give the paper to you and maybe this will be over for me.”
More silence. He wasn’t sure if he trusted her…but she’d given him no reason so far not to trust her.
Unable to do anything but hold her breath, she waited.
“I already have a meeting that will prevent me from meeting you at seven. How is eight for you?”
“Yes.” She dragged in a breath. “Eight is fine. Thank you. I’ll be waiting.”
“What about your friend from the Colby Agency?”
“Ben?” She glanced at him. “No, I didn’t show it to him. I haven’t shown it to anyone yet. I wanted you to see it first.”
“All right. Eight o’clock.”
He ended the call before she could thank him. Brenda exhaled a big breath. “Done. He’ll be here at eight.”
“You did incredibly well. I’m certain he was utterly convinced.”
His words and smile lifted her spirits. “I was thinking about all that happened this afternoon. The unanswered calls to Mallory, the visit to her mother’s home and then the business at the police department—and the blonde after that. We never went to Mallory’s house.”
“You’re right,” Ben agreed. “We called her former boyfriend, but we didn’t go to her home.”
“We have some time.” Brenda’s anticipation started to build. “Should we see if she’s there? I’m sure the police will go to her address at some point, but I don’t see any reason we can’t go right now. Maybe this whole thing is a mix-up.” Yeah right. What it was, she fully understood, was another example of her trusting someone she shouldn’t have—like Scott.
“Let’s do it. Whether she’s there or not,” Ben suggested, “we can talk to neighbors. See what they have to say. Sometimes that’s the best way to find out who visits a person and what sort of activities go on at their residence.”
Brenda’s hopes lifted. “That’s a great idea.”
“Come on.” He nodded toward the door. “Let’s grab my equipment bag next door and head out.”
They locked up her place on the way out and walked through the cool night air to his. The small historic home next to hers was nearly identical to her own. Small, with creaky floors and imperfect plaster. It was all those little quirks that gave these century-plus-old homes character and charm, in Brenda’s opinion.
Since Ben had only been staying in the house next to hers temporarily, there were no family photos on the walls or other personal items scattered about the decor. There was just the man and the things he had brought in a suitcase, a duffel and one garment bag. She walked through the house while he checked that he had everything they would need. It took all of five minutes, but it was long enough for her to run her fingers along the sleeve of a navy sports jacket hanging in the closet of the room where he slept. He wore long-sleeved Henley-type shirts with jeans and always a casual jacket. Comfortable leather loafers completed his wardrobe.
She wondered if he dressed the same when he was off duty.
Or maybe this was his off-duty attire. Also in the closet was a pair of running shoes. The man was fit for sure.
“Ready?” he asked from the doorway of his bedroom.
He didn’t ask why she was there, he just smiled as if he were glad she was curious.
