When Amber found out she was pregnant, she read every book and article on pregnancy and motherhood she could find. Amber, he soon learned, fixated on perfection and what other people thought of her. It wasn’t until her six month of pregnancy that she fell upon a scaremongering article about the danger of cats suffocating newborn babies as they lay on them for warmth. Amber had told him that the cat had to be rehomed, and when he refused, he came home one day to find their beloved cat soaking wet in her arms, stiff with death. She told him that she had found the body in the pond, but as they had undressed for bed that evening, he spotted the scratches up her arms from the cat’s claws where she had held it beneath the water. From that day, he vowed never to trust her again.

Richard slipped from beneath James and placed his head on the pillow. He kissed his forehead and whispered that he loved him, something he had yet to say to him when his eyes were open, and dressed back in his running gear. He told himself he wouldn’t be at home for long. In a few hours he would meet with the private investigator and gather all the information he needed to get away from her for good. Amber rarely missed a thing, but for once, Richard had a head start. All he had to do was keep her in the dark until he was ready to expose her for the killer she truly was.

SEVENTEEN

Friday 24 November, 11:15

Richard pulled off the A road and parked outside the diner. Despite having met the investigator once before, he couldn’t shake his nerves. He laced his fingers together and cracked his knuckles.

James had given him the contact after doing a detailed background check on a business partner early in his career, and recommended him highly.

Richard checked his phone. He was early. He got out of the car and lit a cigarette. He had quit smoking years ago, but every so often he would allow himself a puff or two when stress got the better of him.

He was effectively his own boss, which had its advantages. He could leave the office whenever he wanted, and delegate work rather than completing it himself. Being the CEO of a shipping company came with difficult decisions, but he found it an easier job than the other positions he’d had in the company as he worked his way to the top. At the top of the food chain, all he had to do was look down and make sure everyone stayed in the right places and the company continued to grow.