Page 139 of The Bad Husband

“She isn’t just some woman. A year from now, she’ll be rich.”

I shrug.

“What can I say? Her father may not have been a savvy man, yet he surely had a ton of luck. Allegedly. He died young, though. I hope you didn’t have anything to do with it.”

I study her. Her expression is frozen.

“Henrietta?”

Her eyes focus on me, yet she says nothing.

“Did you do anything to him?”

“He died of a heart attack.”

“A lot of things can trigger a heart attack.”

“Are you hinting at sex?”

“It crossed my mind.”

“I wasn’t home when it happened.”

“Which doesn’t mean anything. You must’ve put a lot of strain on that poor man’s heart.”

“I didn’t kill him.”

“Sure. As you say.”

I check the time on my watch and pick up my jacket.

“I need to leave, if you don’t mind. Lila stays here. And so do you.”

I run a steady hand over the lapel of my jacket as she doesn’t seem to acknowledge me in any way.

“We’re done here,” I say. “You can go back to New York in the fall when she'll no longer have to stay with you.”

“Are you sure I can leave then?”

“Damn sure. I don’t need to see you every day. Your work here is done.”

“What about you and her?”

“That shouldn’t be of concern to you.”

Her eyes search mine.

“You’re after her father’s business. There’s no fucking way you aren’t.”

“I’m surprised you have time to stick your nose into someone else’s business. You have enough problems yourself.”

“That’s exactly why I’m saying this. I know you.”

“You know nothing.”

“You never fell for a woman. Never had feelings for one. Ask me how I know.”

“Are we getting all melodramatic now? Let’s go. I don’t have time for this shit now.”