Read Online Cynthia Hamilton - Madeline Dawkins 01 - Spouse Trap by Cynthia Hamilton - Free Book Online

sigh.
    “I don’t think I can face any of my friends right now,” she said, rubbing her neck.
    “But you need to. You have access to a valuable source of information that I can’t get to without raising red flags. You need to be visible, that way you can find out details of what happened during your blackout period. The more people you can connect with while your husband’s away, the better.” Madeline remained unconvinced.
    “Maybe one of them brought the man to the event. Not that you’ve got much of a description to go on. But also, we can’t completely rule out the possibility that your husband wasn’t involved in this.”
    Another wave of anxiety rushed over Madeline, along with a faint glimmer of hope. All she really wanted in her heart of hearts was to have her life back, the way it was before Saturday night. But then doubt nudged this fervent hope out of the picture. Steven’s behavior was too hard to explain away. Plus, even if he hadn’t been involved in having her drugged and raped, she would be damaged goods as far as he was concerned.
    “Since you haven’t reported this to the police, I guess I should caution you to get tested for sexually transmitted diseases.” Madeline pursed her lips. It had been bad enough telling the doctor at the clinic in Ventura about her fear of having contracted an STD. Now she felt doubly humiliated. She knew her face was red because she could feel the heat of her fury all over her body.
    “I took care of that on Monday,” she said matter-of-factly.
    “I’m sorry I brought it up,” Burt said.
    “Don’t be. I appreciate your concern,” she said. She let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head.
    “What is it?” Burt asked, as she regarded him, her expression now hard and focused.
    “I found out from our housekeeper this morning that Steven has already been spinning our breakup. She begged me with tears in her eyes not to leave him. I don’t know who else has gotten this warped version of events.” Burt gave her a dour look of sympathy.
    “For now, I want you to continue playing the role of the perfect wife. I’ve got another case I’m wrapping up, so I’ll be in touch with you later. In the meantime, go back to Saks and shop till you drop.” Madeline had to laugh at his directive.
    “I guess I should. I may need to convert some luxury goods to cash down the road,” she said as she stood to leave. “Anything else I should be doing until I hear from you?”
    “Can you get access to the guest list and a list of any additional donations that were pledged that night?”
    “I should be able to.”
    “I want you to take a look at all the names on the lists and mark all the ones you personally know. That will help to narrow the list for me. If you can think of anyone else that was in attendance that night—like florists or musicians, whoever—see if you can get their names, too.” Madeline was looking a bit overwhelmed by the assignment.
    “I cast my net as far as I can in the beginning, that way I don’t have to spend time running down the info later. I always overkill on fact-finding leads. You just never know which one is the key to unlocking the case.”
    “I see. Anything else I should be doing?”
    “Keep discreet tabs on your shadow. If at any point you think Barnett has stopped following you, let me know.”

TEN
    Madeline left Burt Latham’s office in a daze. She snapped out of it briefly as she exited the stairwell to State Street. She slipped on her sunglasses and feigned obliviousness as she scanned the area for signs of her tail. She relaxed as she reentered Saks and remembered her directive to “shop till she dropped.” In spite of her dire circumstances, the echo of Burt’s words made her smile.
    A nervous Maryanne spotted her as soon as she neared the shoe salon. “I’ve got everything boxed and bagged for you, Mrs. Ridley. Was there anything else you wanted to try on before I ring you up?” she asked hopefully. Madeline regarded