Her expression changed immediately, only for a second, but I saw it. I didn't know that, she said. You just told me he was handling a client issue. He is. Then why is he staying at our hotel?
I don't know. I stepped closer. Catherine, look at me. She did. Do you know he's here?
No. I held her eyes for another second. Okay. She seemed relieved. Then her phone buzzed.
She looked down. I watched her face change. Who is it? I asked. She locked the screen.
Nobody. I nodded once. Give me the phone. Her eyes widened. What?
Give me your phone. She shook her head. Why? Because I just asked you a simple question. She stood up.
Patrick, you're being ridiculous. No, I'm being direct. She slipped the phone into her pocket. I told you Richard is a former coworker. Then you have nothing to hide.
She didn't answer. And that was the moment I stopped believing her. Catherine stood near the balcony door with her phone in her pocket. I didn't move. Are you going to give it to me?
I asked. No. Then tell me why. Because you're acting like I owe you access to everything just because we're married. I looked at her.
I'm not asking because we're married. I'm asking because you just lied to me. I didn't lie. You said you didn't know Richard was here. I don't.
Then why did you look terrified when I mentioned his room? Her expression hardened. I wasn't terrified. You were? She crossed her arms.
You're looking for something that isn't there. Maybe. I picked up my jacket. Where are you going? She asked.
To the bar. Patrick. I stopped at the door. If Richard is really here for work, you have nothing to worry about. That's not what I meant.
I know. I left before she could say anything else. I didn't go to the bar. I went downstairs and asked the front desk if there was another restaurant on the property. There was one near the far side of the resort close to the pool.
I sat there for about 20 minutes watching the entrance. I wasn't interested in guessing anymore. I wanted facts. Around 9 that evening, I saw Richard. He walked through the lobby alone.
He was probably in his late 30s, wearing a dark shirt and carrying a phone in one hand. He stopped near the elevators. Then Catherine walked out from the opposite hallway. She wasn't supposed to be downstairs. She had told me she was taking a shower.
Richard saw her. They didn't speak immediately. They just looked at each other. Then Catherine walked toward him. I stood up.
They hugged. Not the kind of hug you give an old coworker. Richard put his hand against the back of her neck. Catherine smiled and touched his chest. I walked toward them.
Catherine. She turned. Her face went completely still. Richard looked at me for two seconds. Nobody said anything.