Cynthia Hamilton - Madeline Dawkins 01 - Spouse Trap by Cynthia Hamilton Read Free Book Online Page A

and what you’ve told me, it appears that one of two things occurred after your husband left,” Burt said, his forearms resting on the arms of his chair, his fingertips lightly balanced beside the photos. “Either you consented to have sex with this man, or you were drugged and have no recollection of what transpired prior to and during the photos.”
    “The latter,” Madeline confirmed.
    “When did you receive these?” Burt asked, leaning forward to grab a notepad.
    “Actually, my husband received them yesterday, at his office.”
    “Was there a demand made?”
    “He didn’t say.”
    “How were they delivered?” Madeline shook her head. Burt sat back in his seat while he contemplated the direction this story was taking.
    “Does your husband know that you’ve come to see me?”
    “No.”
    “How did you come to be in possession of the photos?
    “Steven brought them to me at home, around 10:30 yesterday morning.”
    “What was his reaction?”
    “He was outraged and devastated. He wants a divorce. He ordered me out of the house by the time he gets back from a business trip on Saturday. He left for Dallas early this morning.”
    “What was your reaction to the photos?” Madeline choked on her answer. “It’s okay, take your time,” Burt said.
    “I was absolutely horrified.”
    “What happened after Steven left, after the man gave you the glass of champagne?” Again, Madeline found it hard to speak.
    “I don’t remember. I can’t remember anything after that moment. Until I woke up, just before dawn in one of the cottage rooms at The Edgecliff.”
    “I take it you were alone then…”
    “Yes. And terrified. I had no idea where I was at first. I remember calling out for Steven, but I was alone…in bed…with nothing on.” She became silent as her gaze went inward.
    “Tell me anything else you can remember,” Burt coaxed her.
    “I remember this really awful taste in my mouth…and my head—it felt like it was going to split in half.”
    “What did you do once you figured out where you were?
    “I went into the bathroom, looking for Steven. I found my dress and put it on. My…my bra and panties had been torn to shreds… Um…I remember panicking about my jewelry…”
    “Was any of it missing?”
    “No, my diamond watch and bracelet were in my handbag, along with my credit card, driver’s license and phone. And a key to our beach house.”
    “What did you do next?”
    “I realized the key gave me a perfect cover story. I left through the French doors while it was still mostly dark out and was able to walk to our beach house without seeing anyone. I had a scalding hot shower, and around 9:30, after my head stopped pounding, I called Steven and told him I had stayed at the beach house because of the way he had walked out on me. Later, he picked me up and we went to brunch. It was like nothing had happened.”
    Burt sat back in his chair, his eyes fixed on a spot above Madeline’s head.
    “What do you think happened that night?” he asked.
    “I think I was drugged. I think I was drugged and…” Madeline’s bottom lip began to quiver. She bit it to keep from crying.
    “Why didn’t you go to the police?” Burt asked. The frankness of the question startled her. She was momentarily at a loss for an answer.
    “Oh…wow…I don’t…I didn’t…I had no idea what had happened. I was pretty sure that I hadn’t ripped my own lingerie and put these scratches on my neck,” she said, pulling back her sweater for Burt to see. “But I didn’t know what had happened. Like I said, I had a splitting headache, and I was so disoriented.” She looked down at her hands while she tried to rationalize her actions.
    “I guess I was afraid I had done something terrible,” she said, her lip trembling again. “I didn’t know what else to do. I was frightened and in shock. Nothing like this has ever happened to me before. Nothing . I was puzzled by Steven’s behavior, but I wasn’t trying to