Ring of Lies by Victoria Howard Read Free Book Online

It was just after we were married. I entered his study without knocking. I’d never seen anyone get so angry. After that, I did as he requested and never went in there, even when he was at work. ’
     
    ‘ What about more recently? Any changes in his routine or behaviour? ’
     
    She paused to take a sip of water. ‘ He seemed nervous, more tight-lipped. When I asked if there was anything troubling him, he didn’t answer. I assumed it was pressure of work. ’
     
    Grace sat back in her chair. There was a slight tremor in her hand as she reached for her coffee.
     
    ‘ Did you ever consider divorce ? ’
     
    She looked at the platinum band on the third finger of her left hand. ‘ I made a commitment. W hy should I break my vows ? ’
     
    ‘ Not even after you found out about his uncontrollable temper ? ’
     
    ‘ I told you, that was my fault. ’
     
    ‘ Bullshit! Le t’s put the question of whose fault it was to one side for the moment. The dates in the passport— ’
     
    Grace cast her eyes downward. ‘ —correspond with dates Daniel was supposedly attending work-related seminars or conferences . ’
     
    ‘ And you had no idea he was actually out of the country ? ’
     
    She shook her head. ‘ Why would I? He was never away for more than five days . He phoned each evening and we’d chat for a few minutes . ’ That now familiar feeling of uneasiness crawled over her skin. ‘ Do you think Daniel was involved in something illegal? ’
     
    ‘ I can’t tell you at this point, but I can tell you p ropert y , especially a beach house , is very expensive . U nless your late husband won the lottery or inherited a whole stack of money , then he must have been involved in some pretty heavy stuff. ’
     
    Grace stared at Jack. She wanted to scream at him . T ell him he was wrong. Daniel was a good man , a kind, and thoughtful man. He would never jeopardi z e his career by being involved in a criminal activity. But the truth was there in Jack’s eyes. Her world spun, her breat h came in great wheezing gasps.
     
    ‘ Oh, shit! ’ Jack yanked her chair back from the table and push ed her head between her knees. ‘ Don’t you dare faint on me, ’ he said roughly. ‘ Breathe! In. Out. In. That’s it, slow and easy. ’
     
    Grace struggled to sit up, but the weight of his hand on her back held her in place. ‘ Not… fainting… pills… in… m y… ’ she hissed.
     
    Jack released her, grabbed her purse , and riffled through the contents. Finally, his hand closed on a small brown bottle.
     
    ‘ These ? ’
     
    She merely n o dd ed her head . He quickly read the instructions on the label, shook one into her hand , and held out a glass of water. He waited while h er breathing gradually settled into a more normal rhythm and the colo u r returned to her cheeks.
     
    ‘ Damn it, Grace, you scared the hell out of me. Feeling better? ’ His gaze roved over her face.
     
    ‘ I’ll be fine. It was just a minor panic attack. Give me a minute . ’ She squeezed her eyes shut and concentrated on her breathing. When she opened them again, Jack was w atching her intently.
     
    ‘ When did they start? ’
     
    ‘ Seven months ago . My doctor says they’re caused by stress and are probably only temporary . ’
     
    ‘ I have to ask . Were you and Elliott having marital problems ? ’
     
    Grace felt the colo u r flood her cheeks. ‘ We had our differences, but we got through them. ’
     
    He held up his hands. ‘ I’m sorry. I’m just trying to figure out why Elliott would lie about his business trips. Could he have been involved with someone else ? ’
     
    ‘ You mean having an affair? No , definitely not . ’ However, as soon as the word s escaped her lips, Grace realize d she wasn’t certain . Most days Daniel would come home from work, eat his dinner, and then lock himself in the study for the rest of the evening. His interest in t heir sex life amounted to a two-minute fumble once a