Chapter 1

Everyone has a “tell”. You know, that one thing they do when they bluff or lie? For a gambler maybe they absentmindedly play with a chip, or when someone lies they divert their eyes or maybe their voice would rise a bit? For my wife, Paula, it is the way she smokes or drinks. Yes, I married a smoker. Her entire family smokes so she also started at a young age. She tried to quit when we were dating as I am a non-smoker but she soon stopped trying. In addition to the addiction from nicotine it was something she just enjoyed. Normally, she would take her time smoking. She would sit out on the back patio and slowly enjoy a cigarette. She would take long drags, holding it more than smoking, checking mail on her tablet, sipping her wine. Her glass of wine would last at least an hour as she casually sipped it while she had her cigarette before or after dinner. It was a small concession on her part to not smoke in the car or house so sitting out on the back patio was her place. The routine would be for her to come home from work, put on a baggy T shirt and some confortable pants or shorts and while I finished dinner she would sit out back and relax with a glass of wine and have her smoke. I would often join her for a drink while dinner cooked. I was a work from home IT guy and she was a project manager for a consulting company in town.

This routine took place every workday for the six years we were married. Today, Thursday, was no different. She came home from work and greeted me with the usual “hello” and she placed her bag and leather satchel she used as a briefcase in the hall closet and went upstairs to change. I on the other hand retrieved two wine glasses, filled them with her favorite red wine and placed them on the table by the patio door. I had my back to the table as I checked on the roast in the oven as Paula came into the kitchen. I heard the patio door close just as I closed the oven door and turned to face the table. I set the table for two and then picked up my glass and headed outside.

Our patio was furnished well. We had several large outdoor seats with large cushions, a love seat, and two very comfortable loungers. Paula always sat in one of the chairs with oversized cushions with her feet up on the ottoman. However tonight when I came out to the patio I saw that Paula was not in her usual seat but instead standing, gazing out towards the yard as if she was deep in thought. My eyes caught the fact that her wine glass was nearly empty and she was lighting what was her second cigarette.

“How was your day?” I questioned.

“Fine, but I will have to go in on Saturday.” She replied, nervously taking quick deliberate drags on her cigarette.

“Really? That’s unusual.” In six years Paula has never worked on a weekend.

“We are falling behind on a project and I need to go in and see if I can figure out how to get back on schedule. I think if I can put in some extra time and adjust a few things on our schedule we can get back on track and that will save a ton of money.”

Now normally in this situation when we talk before dinner I never have to ask about her day. Paula always starts things off by telling me about her day. How work is going, her projects, who is working well or who is goofing off, things I really know little about and care even less. But that’s what we do. I generally follow up with my boring IT work and we then settle in for dinner. This entire week, however, she said nothing. This project that is so important and apparently running the risk of coming in late and over budget was never discussed.

“Well you do what you have to and I guess maybe I will head to the driving range. You know how I suck at golf so maybe I can work on my splice.”

Jokingly I added “I was hoping that sometime soon maybe we can couple up and have a round with Larry and Jane. I would hate to have us lose because I spend all day looking for my ball in the woods.”

She kept her gaze on the back yard and simply nodded and said “Sure, honey, that would be nice.”

After what felt like an uncomfortable pause I stated dinner was ready and we left the patio to eat inside.

The rest of the evening was spent as usual in front of the TV and we retired to our bedroom. Sex happens often but is not an every night event. Tonight I had the feeling I shouldn’t press and Paula didn’t initiate either. Friday was a repeat of Thursday. Paula smoked and drank nervously and I acted the same as usual but kept my eye on her actions. She was distant but not overly, if you get my meaning. She spoke only when spoken to; she gave full sentences, but really had nothing to say.

Saturday morning arrived and Paula dressed in her casual outfit, grabbed her bag and satchel and giving me a peck on the cheek goodbye headed off to work. I waited about ten minutes, got in my car, and headed towards her work. Paula’s office was in a business complex in town only about thirty minutes from home. Her building was one of three four story brick and glass buildings. Each was separated where the large address numbers were displayed on top but none displayed the company name and they all shared parking. The buildings were centered in the lot and the paved parking area surrounded all three buildings. It had the look and feel of a shopping mall where all cars are visible. I had been to Paula’s office many times so I knew which was hers and where she would park and enter.

Pulling into the parking area I saw that there were dozens of cars scattered about and they were all around the other buildings. Where Paula worked her silver Volvo stood out, as she was the only vehicle present. Not wanting to be noticed I parked my Jeep over by the other buildings next to a non descript mini-van but making sure I still maintained a clear line of sight to Paula’s Volvo. It was only about ten minutes later when I saw a blue BMW pull up beside Paula’s car. A tall man, about our age, exited the vehicle, empty handed, and entered the same building where Paula worked. I don’t really know everyone Paula works with so my not recognizing him really meant nothing. I waited a few more minutes then I called Paula on her cell. She answered on the third ring.

“Steve? What’s up?”

“Hey, I forgot to ask you how long you would be today? I thought I would drop by and take you to lunch”.

“Oh, I will probably be here all day until at least five or six but don’t worry about lunch. If I get hungry I can order some take out and have it delivered.”

“It’s no problem, Paula. I don’t mind. If you can’t leave I can bring it. Just let me know what you want.”

“Really, Steve, I am fine. If I work right through lunch I can get home sooner. Please, don’t trouble yourself.” She sounded nervous.

“OK, I understand. Maybe I will just pop in later anyway and keep you company.”

“Steve, please. I need to concentrate so just practice your golf and I will be home quicker than you realize.” Now she sounded anxious.

“OK Paula. Remember I love you and always have.”

After a hesitant pause she replied, “I love you too, Steve. Bye.” And she hung up.

I sat in my car replaying the conversation over in my head. I didn’t want to read too much into it but she obviously didn’t want me there. Was it really work related or did she have something else going on? As this was all taking place in my head I saw the BMW guy and Paula come out of the building and walk towards his car. They weren’t hand in hand and there was no real sign of affection but they were about to leave. I called her cell again.

“What is it Steve!” she exclaimed standing by the BMW. “I told you I am busy.”

“I was on my way to the driving range and thought I would bring you a coffee. I know how you take yours but I thought I would ask you what your friend likes.”

“What friend?”

“BMW guy, I said. How does he like his coffee? Cream and sugar?”

Now I could see her scan the parking lot.

“Where are you?” She said with a frightened tone in her voice.

“Where I am isn’t important. Where you are going is what is important.”

“I am working, I told you. I am with a client and we were just going to the job site so I could review the progress.”

“Without your work? You only have your hand bag with you.”

“I must have forgotten it inside, that’s all. Where are you?”

“Sure, Paula, that’s it. You go inside and get it and I will wait out here with, what’s his name?”

“John, John Evans.”

“Thanks. I will wait and talk with John while you get your stuff. I will be there in a second.”

I started my Jeep and headed over. Paula now saw me approach and said something to “John” who started over to the drivers side of the BMW and got in and I guess started the engine as while she started to meet me at my Jeep he drove off quickly exiting the parking lot.

I stopped the Jeep and got out.

“Looks like your client left without you. Go get your stuff and I will drive you to the project site. We can get the coffees on the way.”

“Steve, what’s your problem? Why did you follow me!”