Chapter 6

He took out his phone and punched in their home number. He was certain that at this point she wouldn’t answer if he called her personal number. The phone rang three times before it was picked up by the housekeeper.

“Please tell my wife I want to talk with her.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Hale. She’s not here.” There was a short pause. “When I arrived this morning she was packing her clothes. She said if you called I was to tell you she had moved out and she would be by later today with some friends to get the rest of her things.”

“Consider the message delivered, Marie. I’m sorry she put you in the middle of this. Please don’t leave until after that’s happened.”

Again, she paused then asked, “Am I going to be terminated?”

“No. I’d like you to stay on at least until after the divorce. Good housekeepers are hard to find and you’re one of the best.”

He could picture her blushing as she replied, “Thank you, sir.”

“Thank youfor being there. I’ll talk with you later.”