Fidelity (Infidelity #5)

I prayed that she’d walk the sidewalks, shop in Harrods and Jimmy Choo, and dine with me at any of the clubs and bars. With her appreciation of art, she could browse the museums or redecorate the flat with priceless antiques.

My dreams were at hand—literally at my fingertips—and yet a million miles away.

The concerns I’d explained to Alexandria were real. Eva insisted that I listen, that I comprehend. At first I was unwilling.

Adelaide would wake. I knew it. Until…

I didn’t.

And now the damn newscast.

The body.

The arrest.

This conversation shouldn’t occur over the phone, but I refused to leave Adelaide, and I had to know. I had to confirm my suspicions. It was probably the reason she didn’t come into the house.

“I could tell you to come here. To talk to me in person,” I said when she picked up.

“Or you could trust me that no one will hear this conversation. I provided the house with the burner phone for a reason. I was expecting your call.”

I squeezed the phone tighter. “Your name?”

“My name?”

“Standard insurance.” If she said her name, we weren’t being recorded. Her years as an operative would have taught her that. I shouldn’t have to explain it any more.

“Deloris Witt.”

I exhaled. “Now,” I said, “tell me why.”

“You’re not asking first if I know who did it?”

“I wouldn’t be risking this call if I doubted that answer. I know. You just confirmed it. Now tell me why and if my son authorized it.”

“I think you know why.”

“My son?”

“No. He didn’t authorize it, but he did mention he wanted it. Not her death,” Deloris clarified. “He wanted the consequences that would accompany it. He never knew she was being kept safe. He’ll never know what happened.”

I fought to respond. She was his employee. It wasn’t her place to go rogue. However, at the same time, I was thankful he wasn’t involved. “Yet you’re willingly telling me?”

“You aren’t him. He isn’t you.”

That had always been my dream.

If secrets were stars I could light a galaxy. If they were stars they wouldn’t be affected by gravity, not as we know it. Instead, they’re weights, each one heavier than the last, each one pulling me down until I fought to breathe, to live. Each one replacing the starry sky with drowning regret.

Could I continue to keep them to myself?

All of my dreams were so close. And yet each weight pulled me further and further away.

I closed my eyes. Murder had been in my past. I’d given it all up, moved beyond, and now I was there again. “Details?”

“Do you really want to know?”

“She was innocent.” That simple statement was what ate at me. Then again, I’d seen other innocents die. They’d died for power, for revenge, and for love.

“Her death took precedence over her existence,” Deloris said matter-of-factly. “Sometimes the saying is true: the end justifies the means. She was available. Besides, her fate was sealed when she reneged on her obligation to Infidelity and attempted to blackmail Spencer.”

“Blackmail?” I tried to understand. “Her accusations were false? He didn’t harm her?”

“He did, but from what I learned from her, he’d done it before. She realized she’d messed up with Infidelity. She knew his inclinations and intended to profit from his depravity.”

I shook my head. “Not as innocent as I previously thought.”

“Her plan would have worked if she hadn’t involved the authorities. Fitzgerald would have paid her to go away. I’m most certain the payout would have been short-lived. Her fate would have ultimately been the same.”

“So in saving her, you prolonged her reprieve?”

“That’s a nice way to look at it.”

“Did you lie?”

“No, sir.”

“You don’t need any more qualifiers? You can answer unequivocally to never lying?”

“Can you?”

“I didn’t ask me. I asked you.”

“I used a qualifier,” Deloris admitted. “I’ve never lied to your son or you.”

“Only a few days ago, you told me to my face that she was safe.”

“She was and things changed. Spencer was too close to winning. Mr. Fitzgerald was determined to make their marriage legal. Mrs. Fitzgerald’s health was getting worse. Mr. Fitzgerald was desperate. If his wife died, the entire will, including the codicil could have come out. If Alex and Edward were married, he could keep the codicil hidden and go on with Article XII.”

“And you knew this how?”

“I listen. I watch. It’s what I do. Those weren’t my primary concerns. My primary concerns were Alex and Lennox. I was with him when he lost Jocelyn.”

She let that statement hang in the air, reminding me that I wasn’t. “Your point?”

“I wasn’t going to do that again.