Page 9 of Very Special Forces

"Has sherequested any alimony?" I asked.

"No."

"Or apayout of any kind?"

"Well,no..."

I pausedand watched him for any signs of guilt. "Don't you think that'sstrange?"

"She didask for money when we were arguing. She mentioned something aboutputting a hundred grand in a trust fund but I said there was no wayI was just handing over that much money. That's when the fightstarted."

"A trustfund? Not her own account?" I was missing something, something Icould almost turn into an idea.

"That'sright."

"Huh. Iunderstand Mrs. Wendell isn't staying in the family home anylonger."

"No, Itold her to get out. I don't even know where she is." Steve playedwith a pencil, tapping it against the desk. He didn't look at mewhen he asked, "Is she okay?"

"She'sokay," I told him. "She's staying at a hotel. Has she requested anymoney since you told her to get out?"

"No, nota penny. I figure she's waiting to hit me with a demand through herlawyers. The tension is getting to me."

"Do youhave any evidence of fraud on your wife's part?" Iasked.

"Nothing that I can put in front of a judge. My lawyersalready told me that;he said, shesaidisn’t going anywhere. That's why weagreed on hiring you to find the evidence one way or theother."

"Whathappens if I don't find any evidence?"

Steveshrugged. "I don't know."

"Mr.Wendell, do you want to divorce your wife?"

He tooka long moment before he tossed down the pencil and looked medirectly in the eye. "No, I don't. I love my wife but I don't wantto be married to someone who doesn't love me back and sees me as ameal ticket."

Ithanked him for his time and left him to whatever he'd beenstruggling to concentrate on when I arrived. As I drove away, Iknew I needed Lucas to do some digging into the couple'sfinancials. So far, I hadn't come up with anything that suggestedthere was any kind of marital fraud. Quite the opposite; they bothgave every appearance of loving each other, so what wentwrong?

It wasclose to the time to meet Lily at the gym when I reached the officeso instead of going up, I sent Lucas an email from my phone askinghim to deep dive the Wendells’ finances, and try to corroborateFaye's investment story. I couldn’t wait to see what he came upwith. That done, and my gym bag already in the trunk, I headed forthe gym, thoughts of the couple still puzzling me.

Lily waswaiting for me in the locker room, looking fabulously fit in shiny,black hotpants and a hot pink bra with a criss-crossed back. Herblond curls were tamed into a high ponytail and she looked fit toburst.

"Someonelooks excited," I remarked as she bounded over to me.

"Someonegot a whole night's sleep," said Lily. "Eight whole glorious hours!I feel like I can conquer the world. I feel like there's nothing Ican't achieve."

"Is thisclass going to make you more energetic? Or strip you of the lastounce of energy you have?"

"I haveno idea. Let's find out. Quick. Get changed!" Lily spun me aroundand gave me a push towards an empty locker.

Idropped my bag onto the bench and quickly swapped my day clothesfor stretchy black leggings and a lilac singlet. It wasn't as sexyhot as Lily's outfit but it was comfortable and I had a briefmoment of fear that one day “comfortable” would be high on myfashion requirements. I shucked my shoes and pulled on my sneakers,then added my padlock to the locker.

"Youdidn't get the memo?" asked Lily. She gave my outfit a long, coollook.

What hadI missed? "Memo?"

"I saidwear something sexy." She waved a hand at my attire and shook herhead.

"This issexy." I looked down. It was form-fitting, flattering, and in verychic shades of black and lilac.

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