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“I think the woman in the video didn’t look happily married. Not to you, anyway. It’s my job to find out why.”
“I didn’t do anything to her. I love her!”
His gaze travels across my face slowly. “All the more reason.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Your wife was with another man. You couldn’t have been happy about that.”
“I didn’t know!” I cry. “Of course I’m not happy about it. But I would never hurt her.”
“I hear you, Mr. Barlowe. As I said, it is my job to find out what happened to her, and I’m currently exploring several theories.”
“You actually think I hurt her, don’t you? Maybe you have this whole time. It’s always the husband, right?” I scoff, looking away. “That’s what they say anyway, isn’t it?”
He nods slowly, done bullshitting me. “Usually, yes.”
“I’ve probably said it once or twice myself while watching the news or reading a book. It’s clichéd, but the reality is it’s almost always true.Almostalways.” I jab a finger at him. “But not now. Not this time. You’ve already cast your judgment. I won’t waste my time trying to change your mind, but, for the record, you couldn’t be more wrong about me. I didn’t do this. I love her.” My voice cracks as tears blur my vision.
“Get some rest, Mr. Barlowe,” he says gently. “And please, no more trouble. I don’t want to have to lock you up.” He turns, starting to walk away.
“You can trust me!” I call after him. “I didn’t do this!”
When I look down, my hands are trembling.
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
FLORENCE
When the door to my stateroom opens and Patton appears and walks inside, he looks as if he’s ready to pass out. His forehead glistens with sweat; his salmon-colored sun shirt clings to his body with a vengeance.
“Did you find her?” he asks, rushing toward me.
I stand from the bed. “No, nothing yet. Did you just get on the boat?”
His brows draw down. “What? Yeah. Why?”
I’m hesitant to feel the relief yet. I want to believe Blake, but Patton has no reason to lie. More than that, it’s nearly a hundred degrees outside, and I’m not sure that Blake’s had anything to eat or drink today. From so far away, through glass, how can he be sure what he saw? Especially when what he saw makes no sense.
Maybe he just needs to believe he saw something. Maybe he just needs a lead. Still, I owe it to him to press Patton harder. Until I’m sure I believe him. “You weren’t at the bar earlier? Talking to some guy?”
He cocks his head to the side as if I might be joking. “Why would you ask that?”
“Blake thought he saw you while he was in there.” I watch for any signs of recognition on his face, but there are none.
He shakes his head slowly. “Um, nope. Wasn’t me. The line was stupid long. I came straight here. Like I told you I would.”
“Okay.” I brush the hair from my face, then grip the collar of my shirt, bringing my knuckles up to my chin. “He was kind of far away. I told him it must’ve been someone else.”
“Yeah, must’ve been.” His tone is heavy with words unsaid, his eyes studying mine. A pregnant pause fills the space between us.
Up until this moment, I wasn’t sure how I’d react to seeing him again. On the one hand, I’m so angry with him for ditching us it makes it hard to want to talk to him, but on the other, I could use someone as smart as he is to help us work through this. Someone a bit removed. Someone whose emotions won’t cloud their judgment.
When he opens his mouth again, there’s a sort of hesitation that tells me he’s not sure how this is going to go either.
“Look, I’m sorry I had to leave you. It wasn’t cool. Sometimes I just get so caught up in things, and even though I trust the team, this all really rides on my shoulders. To be fair, I warned you I’m terrible at relationships. This company, for years, has been all I live, eat, and breathe. And I promise I’m trying to find a balance. I didn’t have a lot growing up, and if this falls through, I’ll have even less and—” He cuts himself off. “But none of that is more important than finding Mae, so I’m sorry. You needed me today, and I bailed. I promise I won’t do that again. I’m here. Whatever you need.”
“Thank you.” They’re the only words I can find, and when he touches my arms cautiously with both hands, I fall into his embrace. Tears brim in my eyes as I nuzzle into his chest. I need this. I need someone stronger than me because I’m not strong enough for this.
