Chapter 3 - THE GRIEVING HUSBAND
Michael returned to our Boulder home shortly after midnight.
I learned that later from the surveillance team Daniel had placed outside the house.
Michael stumbled from his SUV covered in snow.
He looked devastated.
At least from a distance.
Ashley got out of the passenger side three minutes later.
That was the first mistake.
A grieving husband whose pregnant wife had vanished from a cliff should not arrive home with his mistress.
But Michael had already prepared an explanation.
Ashley had supposedly been helping him search.
She had supposedly driven because he was too emotionally destroyed to operate the vehicle safely.
By sunrise, Michael was standing in front of television cameras.
I watched from my hospital bed.
His eyes were red.
His voice shook.
His wedding ring was visible.
"My wife is missing."
He stopped dramatically.
"Our son was due in less than two weeks."
He covered his mouth.
Ashley stood ten feet behind him with her head lowered.
Anyone watching would have believed she was a concerned employee.
I knew better.
I remembered her voice above that cliff.
Is she dead?
I remembered Michael laughing.
For fifty million dollars, she'd better be.
My hands started shaking.
Daniel reached for the remote.
I stopped him.
"No."
"You don't have to watch this."
"Yes, I do."
Michael continued.
"We were taking one last trip before the baby arrived."
His face twisted in what looked like grief.
"Emma wanted a photograph near the overlook."
Lie.
"She stepped too close."
Another lie.
"I tried to reach her."
My breath caught.
That lie hurt more than the others.
Michael looked directly into the camera.
"I couldn't save her."
I whispered at the television.
"You pushed me."
Daniel heard.
His eyes darkened.
The news anchor reported that severe weather had delayed the recovery effort.
Officials feared I had fallen into a ravine inaccessible until the storm cleared.
Michael lowered his face and appeared to cry.
Then a reporter shouted a question.
"Mr. Carter, were there any marital problems?"
Michael looked offended.
"Absolutely not."
Ashley glanced toward him.
Just for half a second.
Daniel noticed too.
"She's nervous."
"She's guilty."
Daniel nodded.
"Yes."
A nurse entered and told me James was ready for a short visit.
Every emotion changed instantly.
They wheeled my son into the room inside a clear neonatal bassinet.
I forgot Michael existed.
James had a tiny knitted cap over his dark hair.
I placed my hand through the opening and let him wrap his fingers around mine.
Daniel stayed near the door.
He looked like he didn't believe he was allowed closer.
I noticed.
"You can come here."
He hesitated.
Then he stepped beside me.
"He's your grandson if what you're saying is true."
Daniel stared at James.
His eyes filled immediately.
"There's DNA being processed now."
I looked at him sharply.
"You already tested us?"
"Only after the doctors received your permission while you were awake."
I vaguely remembered signing several medical forms.
"How long?"
"Hours."
Daniel looked toward the television.
Michael's press conference was still playing.
"Until then, we keep you dead."
"Missing."
May you like
Daniel met my eyes.
"For Michael, there can't be a difference."
