She was expected at Gordon’s house in Baltimore’s Federal Hill at eight. On the way, she stopped to grab a bite to eat at a small restaurant, ordering a tonic water with lime as she perused the menu. When she looked up, she was surprised to see Simon walk in with Sabrina. What was going on? They looked way too chummy, and Blaire watched as Simon held the chair for Sabrina, then sat opposite her. They were leaning in close, talking and laughing. No wonder Kate was so pissed off about her. Simon was still the same phony bastard. How could he be out on the town, especially with the woman who was causing all the problems in his marriage, when a killer was on the loose and his wife was terrified out of her mind? She pulled out her phone, put it on silent, and snapped some pictures of the two of them.

“Excuse me. Are you ready to order?”

She gave the server a tight smile, pulled a twenty from her wallet, and handed it to him. “Something’s come up. This should take care of my drink.”

Before he could answer, she slipped out the side door and got into her car, relieved to have left without Simon seeing her. She preferred that he not know she’d caught him out with Sabrina.

Twenty minutes later, she pulled onto Gordon’s street. His brick townhouse was at the end of a charming row in this historic neighborhood full of quaint shops and taverns and the famous Cross Street Market. The view from Federal Hill onto Baltimore’s Inner Harbor was magnificent.

Blaire pushed the doorbell and heard the chime inside. She stood shivering on the front porch, waiting for Gordon to open the door. When he answered, and she stepped inside, she was surprised; instead of being stuffy and boring, the decor was bold and stylish. The brick interior wall gave the living room a hip feel, and the sleek white furniture set it off perfectly. A red leather chair was the bright focal point in the room, but it matched the stripes in the geometric throw rug on the shiny hardwood floors. Gordon had taste in decor, if not fashion—tonight’s bow tie featured little green frogs that matched his wool cardigan.

“Good evening, Blaire. Can I get you anything?”

“Not right now, thank you.” She smiled as she took off her coat. “I’d love to use the bathroom, though.”

“Of course. Right this way.”

She followed him down a hallway, passing a den with a plush sofa and a large-screen television before coming to his office. After she’d used the bathroom, she snuck a quick peek on the way back. A large computer monitor was the only thing on the pristine wood desk—no papers or personal items littered its surface.

When she returned to the living room, he was sitting on the sofa.