CHAPTER 7: THE HOTEL ROOM
Ethan denied being inside Room 1908.
Mara did not believe him.
“The hotel lock shows the room was opened at 11:43 p.m.,” she said.
They stood in the hospital conference room with Noah and two investigators.
“Claire had the key,” Ethan replied.
“The second key was issued to a man using your identification.”
Ethan looked toward Amelia’s empty chair.
She had refused to attend.
“I lost my wallet at the gala.”
“When?”
“I don’t remember.”
Mara leaned forward.
“Your pregnant wife almost died. This is not the moment to forget details.”
Ethan rubbed both hands over his face.
“I went to the room.”
Silence filled the room.
Noah’s jaw tightened.
Mara asked the next question.
“Why?”
“Claire told me she had evidence that could destroy my career.”
“What evidence?”
Ethan stared at the table.
“A report from an old fire.”
“What does an old fire have to do with Amelia?”
“Nothing.”
“Then why was Claire threatening you?”
Ethan looked toward the door as if he wanted to escape.
“She wanted me to leave Amelia.”
“And did you agree?”
“No.”
“Did you sleep with Claire?”
Ethan’s silence answered first.
Noah looked away in disgust.
Mara’s voice became colder.
“How long?”
“It happened once.”
“When?”
“Three months ago.”
Three months earlier, Amelia had been rushed to the hospital after nearly losing the baby.
Mara stood so quickly her chair struck the wall.
“You were with Claire that night.”
Ethan did not deny it.
“You told Amelia the station was short-staffed.”
“I was going to end it.”
“You let your wife drive herself to the hospital while she was bleeding.”
“I know.”
“No,” Mara said. “You still don’t understand.”
The conference room door opened.
Amelia stood there in a hospital gown, one hand gripping the frame.
She had heard everything.
Ethan rose.
“Amelia…”
She looked at him without tears.
“You didn’t leave me behind for the first time last night.”
Her voice remained quiet.
“You left me three months ago.”
Ethan stepped forward.
Amelia backed away.
Then the elevator inspector’s phone rang.
He listened for several seconds.
When he ended the call, his expression had changed.
“The elevator brake did not malfunction.”
Mara looked at him.
May you like
“What happened?”
“Someone activated it manually.”
