Page 14

Because what if she asked why?

I didn’t even know why I wanted her there so bad.

Still don’t.

I unlocked my front door. Climbed the stairs two at a time. I’d seen on camera that Janet had left the house earlier that morning. I had paperwork and information I didn’t want her getting her hands on. I canceled the Airbnb reservations for the property I had taken Zane to. Figured I’d lay low there for a while. I needed the quiet, And I didn’t even want to be near Janet. I might choke her lying, conniving ass a little.

I moved quick. Grabbed my deeds. Property and mortgage, my tax statements.

I was zipping a duffel shut with what I’d come for and a few changes of clothes when I heard the front door.

Shit.

I heard keys jingling. The sound of heels clacking up the stairs. I sighed.

Janet turned the corner, stepping into our bedroom. She was dressed in gym clothes. I could smell cologne on her from ten feet away.

“You’re back?” she asked, her eyes all wide, stepping into the room with an armful of bags from her favorite boutique in Tampa. I knew she hadn’t spent my money because I’d put a five hundred dollar limit and alert on her card. She was lucky she had access to that. My lawyer told me it would look bad if I completely cut her off.

She had way more than five hundred dollars worth of shit and I hadn’t gotten any alerts, so she must have been spending the neighbor’s money—or some other fool’s.

“I thought you were going to be gone all week,” she asked.

Shit. I’d forgotten I told her I had a contractor’s conference out of town.

I cleared my throat, keeping my eyes down. “Yeah. I fucked up—forgot some paperwork I need. Had to drive four hours back just to grab it. I’m heading back out now.”

I started walking toward the bedroom door, not giving her time to question me. She stepped into my path, dropping her bags.

“If you’re still mad about the bag and the shoes, I’ll take them back.”

I didn’t look at her. “I’m not mad about that.”

“You seem strange,” she said. “Is something going on?”

“Nope,” I said, brushing past her.

She reached for my face, puckering for a kiss.

I leaned out of range before her lips could land anywhere near me.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her frown.

Fuck her.

I didn’t owe her shit anymore.

I walked straight out the front door and out of it and got into my car. I stared at the windshield for a beat, then pulled my phone and scrolled until I found the contact I was looking for. Park, was the investigator I’d hired to handle things quietly. He was an ex-police officer with access to people I didn’t have.

For some reason, I didn’t think Mark and Janet had just met. I wanted to know the full story.

Janet was careful. But I knew she’d get sloppy once she thought I was hours away.

I hit call.

Two rings.

“Callahan,” Park answered like he’d been waiting on my call.