Rick\u2019s studio occupied a converted warehouse with floor-to-ceiling windows and exposed brick walls, the kind of space that screamed expensive and artistic. When I arrived, the parking lot was nearly empty, and through the windows I could see Rick pacing behind his desk, running his hands through his hair in a gesture that spoke of sleepless nights and heavy decisions.<\/p>\n
He looked up when I pushed through the door, and even from across the room I could see the dark circles under his eyes, the unkempt beard, the rumpled shirt that suggested he\u2019d been wearing it for more than one day.<\/p>\n
\u201cMrs. Thompson.\u201d He stood quickly, almost knocking over his chair. \u201cThank you for coming. I\u2019ve been agonizing over whether to call you for weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did you find, Rick?\u201d I asked, cutting through the pleasantries. After twenty-five years of dealing with teenagers trying to confess to cheating or bullying or worse, I\u2019d learned to spot someone carrying guilt from a mile away.<\/p>\n
He pulled out a thick folder and set it on the desk between us with the careful reverence of someone handling evidence. \u201cI was organizing the wedding photos for my portfolio when I noticed something odd. So I started looking more carefully.\u201d He paused, his hand resting on the folder like it might try to escape. \u201cMrs. Thompson, I think your daughter-in-law was having an affair during the wedding reception.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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