“Sit.” He waved his hand toward the chairs in front of his desk. “You, too,” he said to Mick. “This might take a while. I have a lot to apologize for. You see . . .” He stared at his desktop, gathering his thoughts. “I was passionately, deeply, and totally in love with Vicki. Have been for the last twenty-eight years.” His voice was low and filled with sorrow. “I will go to my grave loving her. She is my beloved. But.” He lifted his head, and Sarah could now see silent tears were sliding down his face. “That doesn’t mean that I am blind to the uncomfortable truths that now face us. Vicki has left me. And, Sarah, it breaks my heart”—he squeezed his eyes shut, paused as if bracing for a physical blow, reopened his eyes, his expression resolute—“to be the bearer of bad news,” he continued. “But I’ve recently learned why. My precious Vicki has been carrying on a covert affair with your husband.”

“With Kevin?” Shock caused her voice to leap a half octave.

“Yes.” He swiped the back of his shaky hand across his damp eyes. “I don’t know how long this has been going on. However”—he jabbed his forefinger onto the top of his desk with a good deal of force—“I recently discovered him sneaking out her back door. Now. It is very possible she was the one who gave him your information. Not out of malice, mind you. My Vicki doesn’t have the capacity for that kind of betrayal. Kevin must have woven some kind of spell on her, as he did on you. I remember clearly how concerned your parents were.” He shook his head, briefly lost in memories. “All of us were. I hadn’t mentioned your parents’ concerns about Kevin, or my own deep misgivings, to Vicki. You had already gotten married. The deed was done. Client confidentiality and all that.” He sank back in his seat, a broken man. “I wish to God I had. It might have saved her from becoming entrapped in the center of this mess. I am worried, Sarah. I am worried for her safety.”

“As well you should,” Sarah murmured as a shiver of fear slithered down her spine. “He’s a monster.”

“I’m begging you. Please. Speak with Vicki. Warn her of his true nature. She won’t listen to me. Vicki believes I am delusional, am speaking from a place of jealousy. And yes, the loss of her love breaks my heart, but even more important than that, I want her safety.”

Sarah’s tendency was to leap into the gap and rush in and help. No. You’re too soft, she told herself sternly, clamping her mouth shut. That’s how you ended up married to Kevin. Take a moment to sort this through before you speak.