Chapter 83

Her surprise wasn't feigned; neither was her firm refusal. "Oh, it's nothing like that. It's just, Omar is usually loving and attentive but ever since he got to Vancouver he's been secretive. Spending time locked away in his room." Her eyes pooled with tears. "I think he's having an affair and the Angel is a jealous husband."

Kind of a convoluted logic and it didn't account for the feather, but I cut her some slack.

"The angel is human, you're right about that." I searched for a tissue, but the best I could do was a wadded-up napkin I found in my pocket. "It's clean."

She took it and dabbed at her eyes.

"Did you check Omar's phone for texts that could confirm an infidelity?"

"I'd never - " She wilted under my flat stare. "I don't know his password."

"Where was he before he came to Vancouver? Back home in Cairo?" That would be the most likely place for him to carry on an affair.

"No, he was on a job. I don't know what. The family doesn't discuss them."