Page 36 of Fever Dream

“Was it about all that traveling, Grace?Did you suspect something out of the ordinary?”

“You’re very good at what you do, Doctor.”

“I don’t make assumptions.I let my patients tell the story.”

“You want answers I don’t have.Answers I can’t very well get, because I’m locked in here.”

“Tell me about your marriage.I want you to sum it up.”

“How can I do that?”

“Why did you marry Charles?”

“I never loved my name until his voice said it.”

“Your marriage was passionate?”

“We love each other very much.”

Grace Solomon smiled.Not the smile I’m used to seeing on the faces of the patients, but a real one.It was momentarily jarring, like seeing a lone scarlet leaf on a bare tree.“We have a beautiful family.He is still my husband, and I trust him completely.”

“Your neighbors reported several domestic disturbances.”

“Surely you believe me.”She sounded annoyed.“I mean, you can’t have it both ways.I’m not a crazy wife who killed her husband.”

“I never said—”

“You implied it.I know what you think.”

“Then enlighten me.”

“I haven’t had a chance yet.”

“Why was Charles traveling more than normal?Did you suspect an affair?”

“No.Never.”

“Never?”

“That’s what I said.”

“Why not?”

“It wasn’t in his nature.”

“You mentioned he was meeting someone to pick up documents?”

“Yes.”

“Who was he meeting with?A double agent?”

“He wouldn’t tell me.”

“Did he say what kind of documents he was meeting to get?”

“No.”

“Did he tell you what the documents were about?”