The Hotel Room
Voices softly drifted into the room. The man loosened his tie, and he leaned forward, not really listening to the words the woman across the table was saying, just listening to her pretty voice. “Are you listening to me, Richard?”
He blinked. “Yes, of course.”
The woman sighed. “No, you weren’t. I’ve known you long enough to know when you aren’t.” She sipped her scotch. She leaned back in her seat, relaxed.
“I really was, Nellie.”
“Then what did I just say?” He’d been caught. A smirk pulled her lips up, a habit she did whenever she knew she was right.
“You were just complaining and your boss.”
“That was five minutes ago, Rich.” He cleared his throat and shot her a cheeky smile.
“So, I may have spaced out a little bit.” Her eyes left her drink and meet his.
“Is it work again? I know that there was supposed to be an inquiry on your boss. Did they find anything?”
“They’re still going about it. It’s a slow progress. It may take a couple more weeks. But he knows that it’s going on and has been trying to get me to get rid of some of our accounts.” He ran a hand through his hair.
“Are you going to get into trouble because he tells you to?” Rich smiled at Nell.
“No, I won’t get into trouble. I haven’t been embezzling money.”
“What about throwing the evidence out?”
He raised an eyebrow. Then he dropped his voice to a whisper. “I haven’t thrown anything out. As soon as I can then I’ll hand it over to the police.”
Nell gasped. “Won’t you lose your job?”
Rich shrugged a little. “I’ve really thought about this, Nellie. He’s going to get arrested anyway, they’ll need all of the evidence they need. I’m helping in a way that I can.”
Her frown didn’t ease. “What does Martha think about this?”
It was Rich’s turn to frown. “I haven’t told her.” Nell shot up in her chair.
“You haven’t told your wife? Why not?”
“You know how she is. If she were to find out that I could lose my job and her fancy lifestyle, she’d go insane. Then go to the cops if she didn’t murder me first. Besides it’s not like you tell Mike everything either.”
Nell thinned her lips. “I do when it involves work. And that was a low blow, Rich.” He knew it was. He grew up with her husband and understood he was like. He didn’t even like her working.
“I know. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. Where does he think you are now?”
“Company retreat, for two days. Where does Martha think you are?” Rich raised an eyebrow again.
“Out with the guys, bowling. Three years and she still hasn’t figured out that we don’t bowl.”
“Do you ever feel bad for lying to them?” She whispered.
Rich stayed quite for a while. “No, I loved Martha once, time has changed that, but I can’t leave her. Despite everything she’s done. If I left, her then she wouldn’t last a month on her own.”
Nell shrugged a shoulder in agreement. “I understand why you stay with her. I’m not talking about leaving her. Just lying to her.”
“If I told her that we get together once a week, she’d jump to us having an affair. Then she’d never let me out of her sight. Are you feeling bad for lying to Mike?”
Nell let out a breath. “Sometimes, I almost leave him. I tell him that I’m going somewhere, I get in the car and drive. I usually come here.” Rich leaned forward again.
“Why do you stay with him?” That question had been nagging him for years. Even when she was with him, she would always look at the phone.
“He’d find me. No matter where I go. I might get a week, a month or even a year but then he’ll find me. I know that he would. That’s one reason I still agree to meet you.”
“Oh really? And here I thought it was my charm and good looks.” Nell laughed.
“You have the charm of a tick and the looks of a slug, Rich.” She let out a breath, her good mood gone so fast. “I don’t know how much longer we can do this before we get caught.”
Rich frowned. “We aren’t doing anything wrong, Nellie. We aren’t cheating, we’re friends; at one-point best friends, but I’ve never felt that way for you. Have you?” Nell shook her head. “Then there shouldn’t be any reason for you to be afraid. If you really want to leave Mike, then I know someone who helps women in your spot. They help get them jobs and help hide them.” Nell rose from her seat.
“It’s getting late. You should go.”
“Then I’ll leave. But I mean it, Nellie, I can help if you want me to.” They both rose form their seats and she walked him to the door as he grabbed his jacket and hat.
“Thanks for the talk and drink. I’ll see you next week.” She chewed her lip then nodded as she closed the door on him.
