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I got the answering machine after all and hung up. He'd know I'd called, if the service recorded incoming numbers. He'd know I had tried to call him while he was out with his lady friend -- or call girl -- depending on which it was.
I ended the call and put my cell away, then walked into the lobby of The Lowell. The hotel was high-end, the lobby all marble and ornate plaster moldings, gilded fixtures. There was an elevator leading to the upper floors, and a lounge area that was currently empty. I was hoping I wouldn't run into Eric because I wanted to make sure I had it right that he was with some woman, rather than was on a legitimate business appointment, but who was I kidding?
He was out with a woman.
I went to the front desk and a pretty dark-haired woman smiled at me.
"Can I help you, Sir?"
I asked for Eric’s room number.
"I'm afraid I can't give that out. Would you like me to call up to his room and let him know you're here?"
I shook my head. "No, that's fine. I was hoping to catch him before he checks out. I'll come back tomorrow. He's probably busy tonight with his girlfriend. I don't want to bother them if she's already here."
She smiled. "They went up just a few minutes ago, so you just missed him."
"Thanks," I said and smiled. "I'll be back tomorrow. I want to catch him before he checks out."
"He's here all week," she said, glancing at her computer screen. "He won't be leaving until Sunday."
"Thanks a million," I said and gave her my best winning smile. “You’ve been so very helpful."
"You're very welcome," she said, and I could swear she batted her eyelashes at me. I felt bad leading her on like that, but it accomplished my goal of finding out just what my cheating brother in law was up to.
So, Eric had the hotel room for the rest of the week until Sunday. He was likely staying with his call girl -- or girlfriend -- all week, using his business trip as an excuse. I was so angry that my heart was pounding in my chest and I felt my face heat.
I sat on a planter beside a tree and considered what I should do. I could call Eric's cell and confront him, threaten him into giving up the girlfriend or I'd tell Dana. If he didn't, would I go through with it? Could I tell Dana about her cheating husband? If I did, it would mean my beautiful sister would have a hell of a shock. She'd become a single parent and would be heartbroken.
I remembered the family therapist I had spoken to before, who said that it was really none of my business what other couples did unless there was clear abuse involved.
"How do you know that they don't have an open marriage?" she had asked me. "What if this is an agreement that they have? Do you really want to poke your nose into this, and then maybe force your sister into admitting that they're swingers?"
I didn't know whether they had an open marriage or were swingers, nor did I really want to know but I didn't want her to think she had a husband who loved her and was loyal to her if she really didn't.
It should have been an easy decision to make. I'd want to know if Alexa was cheating on me.
I know Alexa would want to know if I was cheating on her.
To me, what to do was a no-brainer. I would confirm that Eric was in fact cheating on Dana, and I would tell her what I had discovered. I'd hire my PD again and get him to track down Eric's latest exploits.
Then, I'd plan my approach to Dana.
She had to know the truth.
I texted Alexa.
LUKE: Hey, I'm really sorry about this. I knew we were going to have dinner together, but something came up and I need to go to Dana's place and bring her some food. She has a craving for Korean BBQ.
Alexa texted me back right away.
ALEXA: Is she okay? She's not pregnant again is she? Is there a problem with the baby?
LUKE: No, she's fine but Eric's out of town and she was alone. I just feel bad that I'm leaving you in the lurch.
ALEXA: Don't apologize. I'm sure it's hard on Dana when Eric is out of town. It'll be nice for her to have her big brother help her out. Give them both my love. I'll see you when you get back.
Of course, she thought about Dana and the baby first, before herself.
