You Are A Disappointment

Alex smiled, but it was a cold, triumphant one. He took his phone back, navigated to his photos, and held up a picture for Claire to see. It was a snapshot of Jake entering Vanessa's house late last night after he left.

He had anticipated them meeting either after he left or early this morning, so he had called Mark on his way back to keep an eye on Vanessa, and if Jake didn't go there or Vanessa didn't leave the house after midnight, he should return the next morning.

Jake saw the disgust and disappointment glaring at him through Claire's eyes, and he couldn't help the beads of sweat tickling down his temple.

"What were you doing at Vanessa's place at that hour?" Claire asked, her voice trembling with a mixture of anger and disappointment.

Jake stammered, his excuses faltering. "I… uh… she called to say she sprained her ankle and as her friend… I had to.... it was just coincidental…"