The Christmas Eve Photograph That Destroyed My Marriage

At 7:03

At 7:03 a.m., my husband walked into the hospital carrying a.m., my husband walked into the hospital carrying white roses for our children’s mother and a folder white roses for our children’s mother and a folder that could have cost me everything.

Cole Whitmore had that could have cost me everything.

Cole Whitmore had always understood the power of appearances.

He knew when to wear always understood the power of appearances.

He knew when to wear a navy suit instead of black, when to lower his voice to sound reasonable a navy suit instead of black, when to lower his voice to sound reasonable, and when to touch my shoulder in public so people, and when to touch my shoulder in public so people would believe he was a devoted husband.

That morning, he wore all three disguis would believe he was a devoted husband.

That morning, he wore all three disguises.

His hair was neatly combed. His tie was perfectly straightes.

His hair was neatly combed. His tie was perfectly straight. The roses were wrapped in silver paper, and the folder rested beneath. The roses were wrapped in silver paper, and the folder rested beneath his arm like an ordinary business document.

But his eyes went straight to the his arm like an ordinary business document.

But his eyes went straight to the twins.

Not to me.

“How are they?”” he asked.

I remained seated between twins.

Not to me.

“How are they?”” he asked.

I remained seated between their beds.

“Better.””

“Good.”” He placed the roses on the their beds.

“Better.””

“Good.”” He placed the roses on the windowsill.

“You must have been terrified.””

I stared at him.

“You weren't windowsill.

“You must have been terrified.””

I stared at him.

“You weren't here.””

His expression barely changed.

“I was working.””

here.””

His expression barely changed.

“I was working.””

“You were with Sierra.””

A nurse passing the doorway slowed for half a second.

“You were with Sierra.””

A nurse passing the doorway slowed for half a second.

Cole noticed.

He lowered his voice and leaned toward me.

“Not hereCole noticed.

He lowered his voice and leaned toward me.

“Not here, Lauren.””

“Why? Afraid someone might hear what, Lauren.””

“Why? Afraid someone might hear what you did on Christmas Eve?””

He glanced at the nurse you did on Christmas Eve?””

He glanced at the nurse, then back at me.

“I made a mistake.””

I almost, then back at me.

“I made a mistake.””

I almost laughed.

“A mistake is forgetting to buy milk. You bought laughed.

“A mistake is forgetting to buy milk. You bought your mistress a thirty-thousand-dollar necklace while I begged you to help care your mistress a thirty-thousand-dollar necklace while I begged you to help care for our sick children.””

His jaw tightened.

“Keep your voice down.””

“There for our sick children.””

His jaw tightened.

“Keep your voice down.””

“There it is again.””

“What?””

“Your favorite instruction. Stay it is again.””

“What?””

“Your favorite instruction. Stay quiet. Don't disturb you. Don't embarrass you.””

He set quiet. Don't disturb you. Don't embarrass you.””

He set the folder on the chair beside me.

“I understand you're upset the folder on the chair beside me.

“I understand you're upset.””

“No. You understand that I have proof.””

For.””

“No. You understand that I have proof.””

For the first time, his expression shifted.

It lasted less than a second, but I saw the first time, his expression shifted.

It lasted less than a second, but I saw it.

Fear.

Then he reached for my hand.

I pulled it away.

“Lauren it.

Fear.

Then he reached for my hand.

I pulled it away.

“Lauren, listen to me. Whatever you think you've discovered, this doesn't, listen to me. Whatever you think you've discovered, this doesn't need to become a public disaster.””

“You sent me a photograph of yourself in bed with another need to become a public disaster.””

“You sent me a photograph of yourself in bed with another woman.””

“It was an accident.””

“Your affair wasn't.””

He looked toward the babies woman.””

“It was an accident.””

“Your affair wasn't.””

He looked toward the babies.

His voice softened into the gentle tone he used whenever he wanted witnesses.

His voice softened into the gentle tone he used whenever he wanted witnesses to think I was unreasonable.

“Think about to think I was unreasonable.

“Think about Noah and Lily. They need stability. They need both parents working Noah and Lily.

They need stability. They need both parents working together.””

I looked at the man who had abandoned them on Christmas Eve.

together.””

I looked at the man who had abandoned them on Christmas Eve.

“Then why did you send your mother here with forged“Then why did you send your mother here with forged guardianship papers?””

His face went completely still.

I watched him absorb the guardianship papers?””

His face went completely still.

I watched him absorb the word forged.

Then he opened the folder.

“Those documents are intended word forged.

Then he opened the folder.

“Those documents are intended to protect the children if something happens to you.””

“Something like to protect the children if something happens to you.””

“Something like what?””

“Your current emotional condition.””

I stood what?””

“Your current emotional condition.””

I stood so quickly that my chair scraped the floor.

“My emotional condition so quickly that my chair scraped the floor.

“My emotional condition?””

“You haven't slept properly in months. You've become suspicious?””

“You haven't slept properly in months. You've become suspicious, withdrawn, and unpredictable. You're making decisions based on anger, withdrawn, and unpredictable. You're making decisions based on anger.””

“My children were sick, Cole. I took.””

“My children were sick, Cole. I took them to the hospital.””

“And that's good. But one responsible them to the hospital.””

“And that's good. But one responsible decision doesn't erase the larger concerns.””

He said it so calmly that decision doesn't erase the larger concerns.””

He said it so calmly that I almost admired the performance.

Almost.

I reached into my bag and pulled I almost admired the performance.

Almost.

I reached into my bag and pulled out my phone.

“Would you like to explain the psychiatric evaluation dated December third out my phone.

“Would you like to explain the psychiatric evaluation dated December third?””

The color drained from his face.

Only slightly.

But enough.

“?””

The color drained from his face.

Only slightly.

But enough.

“Where did you get that?””

“Your mother left her folder behindWhere did you get that?””

“Your mother left her folder behind.””

He reached for my phone.

I stepped back.

“Don't.””

His.””

He reached for my phone.

I stepped back.

“Don't.””

His hand stopped in midair.

For a moment, neither of us moved.

Then Cole straight hand stopped in midair.

For a moment, neither of us moved.

Then Cole straightened his jacket.

“You're misunderstanding confidential paperwork.””

“Iened his jacket.

“You're misunderstanding confidential paperwork.””

“I've never met the doctor who supposedly evaluated me.””

“He spoke've never met the doctor who supposedly evaluated me.””

“He spoke with people familiar with your circumstances.””

“Without examining me?””

“I don't with people familiar with your circumstances.””

“Without examining me?””

“I don't know every detail.””

“You signed a declaration claiming I'm incapable of caring for our know every detail.””

“You signed a declaration claiming I'm incapable of caring for our children.””

“Because I have concerns.””

“Then say them children.””

“Because I have concerns.””

“Then say them to my face. Don't manufacture a diagnosis.””

His mouth tightened.

“You to my face. Don't manufacture a diagnosis.””

His mouth tightened.

“You have no idea how much I've done to keep this family together.””

I stared have no idea how much I've done to keep this family together.””

I stared at him.

“You left us alone on Christmas Eve.””

“And I regret at him.

“You left us alone on Christmas Eve.””

“And I regret that.””

“You sent me a photograph of Sierra.””

“And I regret that too.””

“You that.””

“You sent me a photograph of Sierra.””

“And I regret that too.””

“You forged my signature.””

His silence answered before he forged my signature.””

His silence answered before he did.

“I didn't forge anything.””

“Then you won't did.

“I didn't forge anything.””

“Then you won't mind an independent handwriting examination.””

His eyes narrowed mind an independent handwriting examination.””

His eyes narrowed.

For the first time in our marriage, I saw Cole.

For the first time in our marriage, I saw Cole without the polished surface.

Not a devoted husband.

Not a brilliant without the polished surface.

Not a devoted husband.

Not a brilliant businessman.

A man who had discovered that someone he considered powerless might businessman.

A man who had discovered that someone he considered powerless might finally be able to hurt him.

“You need to be careful,” he said.

finally be able to hurt him.

“You need to be careful,” he said.

I felt my stomach tighten.

“Is that a threat?””

“It's adviceI felt my stomach tighten.

“Is that a threat?””

“It's advice.””

“Keep it.””

He picked up the roses and dropped them into.””

“Keep it.””

He picked up the roses and dropped them into the wastebasket.

The movement was sudden and ugly.

One the wastebasket.

The movement was sudden and ugly.

One white flower landed on the floor.

“You're turning a white flower landed on the floor.

“You're turning a private family problem into a legal war,” he said.

“If you continue, you'll force private family problem into a legal war,” he said.

“If you continue, you'll force me to protect myself.””

I looked at the discarded flowers.

“From your me to protect myself.””

I looked at the discarded flowers.

“From your wife?””

“From someone who no longer seems to understand what's at stake.””

He wife?””

“From someone who no longer seems to understand what's at stake.””

He gathered his folder and walked toward the door.

Before leaving, he turned back.

“One more gathered his folder and walked toward the door.

Before leaving, he turned back.

“One more thing, Lauren. Don't contact anyone about your grandmother's trust.””

My heart stopped.

I thing, Lauren. Don't contact anyone about your grandmother's trust.””

My heart stopped.

I hadn't told him about the letter.

I hadn't told him Daniel was investigating the documents.

Yet hadn't told him about the letter.

I hadn't told him Daniel was investigating the documents.

Yet he knew.

“How do you know about that?”” I asked.

Cole's he knew.

“How do you know about that?”” I asked.

Cole's face hardened.

“I know more than you think face hardened.

“I know more than you think.””

Then he left.

The door closed softly behind him.

I stood there, staring.””

Then he left.

The door closed softly behind him.

I stood there, staring at the empty doorway, while a question began at the empty doorway, while a question began to form in my mind.

How much of my life had he been to form in my mind.

How much of my life had he been controlling without my knowledge?

At eight fifteen, Daniel Reeves controlling without my knowledge?

At eight fifteen, Daniel Reeves arrived with another attorney, a woman named Rebecca Shaw who specialized in family arrived with another attorney, a woman named Rebecca Shaw who specialized in family law.

Rebecca was in her early forties law.

Rebecca was in her early forties, with short brown hair, a charcoal blazer, and a leather, with short brown hair, a charcoal blazer, and a leather briefcase that looked as though it had survived several courtroom battles.

She listened briefcase that looked as though it had survived several courtroom battles.

She listened without interrupting while I explained what had without interrupting while I explained what had happened.

When I finished, she placed a notebook on her lap.

" happened.

When I finished, she placed a notebook on her lap.

"First, we need to separate what we know from what we suspect," she said.

"We have a photograph that appears to show an affair. We have documents containing aWe have a photograph that appears to show an affair. We have documents containing a disputed signature.

We have a psychiatric report you say is false disputed signature. We have a psychiatric report you say is false, and we have evidence that your mother-in-law attempted to assert, and we have evidence that your mother-in-law attempted to assert guardianship.""

"Can they take my children?""

"Not merely guardianship.""

"Can they take my children?""

"Not merely because someone makes an accusation. We'll verify the documents and respond through the proper channels.""

because someone makes an accusation. We'll verify the documents and respond through the proper channels.""

Daniel opened his briefcase.

"And we need to discuss yourDaniel opened his briefcase.

"And we need to discuss your grandmother's trust.""

He placed a sealed envelope on the table.

My name was grandmother's trust.""

He placed a sealed envelope on the table.

My name was written across the front in my grandmother's handwriting.

I recognized the looping L written across the front in my grandmother's handwriting.

I recognized the looping L immediately.

"Where did you find that?"" I whispered immediately.

"Where did you find that?"" I whispered.

"In the original estate file," Daniel said.

"Your grandmother instructed me to keep it.

"In the original estate file," Daniel said.

"Your grandmother instructed me to keep it sealed unless someone attempted to interfere with your inheritance or challenge sealed unless someone attempted to interfere with your inheritance or challenge your ability to make decisions for yourself.""

I touched the envelope.

"Why didn't your ability to make decisions for yourself.""

I touched the envelope.

"Why didn't you tell me about it?""

"Because she gave me explicit instructions not you tell me about it?""

"Because she gave me explicit instructions not to disclose the contents unless the conditions were met. I respected her wishes, to disclose the contents unless the conditions were met. I respected her wishes, although I hoped we'd never reach this point.""

Rebecca leaned forward.

"Before although I hoped we'd never reach this point.""

Rebecca leaned forward.

"Before you open it, I want to make something clear. Whatever is inside, you open it, I want to make something clear. Whatever is inside, we won't use speculation as evidence.

We'll examine every claim we won't use speculation as evidence. We'll examine every claim and protect your rights.""

I nodded.

Daniel handed me a letter opener.

My and protect your rights.""

I nodded.

Daniel handed me a letter opener.

My fingers trembled as I broke the seal.

Inside were three fingers trembled as I broke the seal.

Inside were three documents and a handwritten letter.

The first document was a trust summary.

The documents and a handwritten letter.

The first document was a trust summary.

The second was a property transfer.

The third was a list of names.

I second was a property transfer.

The third was a list of names.

I looked at the property transfer.

Then I read it again.

The Connecticut estate looked at the property transfer.

Then I read it again.

The Connecticut estate my grandmother had left me wasn't merely a house and a few acres of land.

It was part of my grandmother had left me wasn't merely a house and a few acres of land.

It was part of a larger property holding connected to an old commercial development.

The trust also a larger property holding connected to an old commercial development.

The trust also held a substantial investment portfolio.

I stared at Daniel.

" held a substantial investment portfolio.

I stared at Daniel.

"How much is this worth?""

He hesitated.

"The current estimated value ofHow much is this worth?""

He hesitated.

"The current estimated value of the assets held in the trust is approximately forty-two million dollars.""

For a moment, I the assets held in the trust is approximately forty-two million dollars.""

For a moment, I couldn't hear anything except the monitor beside Noah's bed.

Fort couldn't hear anything except the monitor beside Noah's bed.

Forty-two million.

Cole had spent years telling me my grandmother's inheritance was insignificanty-two million.

Cole had spent years telling me my grandmother's inheritance was insignificant.

He'd called it sentimental clutter.

He'd insisted that my.

He'd called it sentimental clutter.

He'd insisted that my own financial affairs were too complicated for me to manage.

But my own financial affairs were too complicated for me to manage.

But my grandmother had left me more money than most people would earn grandmother had left me more money than most people would earn in several lifetimes.

And Cole had known enough to want access.

in several lifetimes.

And Cole had known enough to want access.

"Does he have any claim"Does he have any claim to it?"" I asked.

"That depends on the trust's terms and the applicable to it?"" I asked.

"That depends on the trust's terms and the applicable law," Daniel replied.

"But the documents indicate the law," Daniel replied.

"But the documents indicate the assets were structured to remain under separate management, with you as the principal assets were structured to remain under separate management, with you as the principal beneficiary. Your husband doesn't automatically own them because you're married.""

I beneficiary. Your husband doesn't automatically own them because you're married.""

I looked down at the list of names.

One caught my attention.

looked down at the list of names.

One caught my attention.

*Whitmore Development Group.*

I knew the name.

It was Cole's family company.

"What is*Whitmore Development Group.*

I knew the name.

It was Cole's family company.

"What is this doing here?""

Daniel exchanged a glance with Rebecca.

"Your grandfather and Cole's this doing here?""

Daniel exchanged a glance with Rebecca.

"Your grandfather and Cole's grandfather were business partners decades ago," he explained.

"Their relationship ended badly. grandfather were business partners decades ago," he explained.

"Their relationship ended badly. Your grandmother inherited the remaining interest in a development project, and she Your grandmother inherited the remaining interest in a development project, and she placed it under the trust.""

"Was that placed it under the trust.""

"Was that why she never liked Cole?""

"She was cautious about the why she never liked Cole?""

"She was cautious about the Whitmore family. She never told me everything, but she believed the original Whitmore family. She never told me everything, but she believed the original partnership had been misrepresented.""

Rebecca took the document and examined the partnership had been misrepresented.""

Rebecca took the document and examined the dates.

"Daniel, does the trust hold a voting interest in the development dates.

"Daniel, does the trust hold a voting interest in the development company?""

"Not the company itself. It holds an interest in the company?""

"Not the company itself. It holds an interest in the underlying property and a contractual right that may affect a pending transaction.""

"What transaction?"" I underlying property and a contractual right that may affect a pending transaction.""

"What transaction?"" I asked.

Daniel turned to the last page.

"A proposed asked.

Daniel turned to the last page.

"A proposed sale involving several properties owned or controlled by the Whitmore family.""

My pulse quickened.

"How much?""

"Public estimates put the broader transaction in sale involving several properties owned or controlled by the Whitmore family.""

My pulse quickened.

"How much?""

"Public estimates put the broader transaction in the hundreds of millions. I haven't verified the final figure.""

I stared at the document.

Then I understood why Cole had reacted so strongly when I the hundreds of millions. I haven't verified the final figure.""

I stared at the document.

Then I understood why Cole had reacted so strongly when I mentioned the trust.

He hadn't been worried about my grandmother's old house.

He was worried about something worth far more.

Something his family mentioned the trust.

He hadn't been worried about my grandmother's old house.

He was worried about something worth far more.

Something his family needed.

Daniel unfolded the handwritten letter.

"Your grandmother left this specifically needed.

Daniel unfolded the handwritten letter.

"Your grandmother left this specifically for you.""

I took it.

My darling Lauren,

*There is for you.""

I took it.

My darling Lauren,

There is something I should have told you before your wedding.

Years ago something I should have told you before your wedding.

Years ago, the Whitmore family attempted to remove our family's interest from a development agreement through a series of transactions I, the Whitmore family attempted to remove our family's interest from a development agreement through a series of transactions I believed were dishonest. Your grandfather fought them believed were dishonest. Your grandfather fought them. He died before the dispute was fully resolved.

I spent years protecting what remained. He died before the dispute was fully resolved.

I spent years protecting what remained.

I never wanted you to become part of that fight. When you.

I never wanted you to become part of that fight. When you told me you were marrying Cole, I hoped he was different from the men told me you were marrying Cole, I hoped he was different from the men who came before him.

I also hoped I was wrong about his family who came before him.

I also hoped I was wrong about his family.

If you are reading this, I fear I was not.

My vision blurred.

I continued.

The trust exists to protect you, but it also preserves certain.

My vision blurred.

I continued.

The trust exists to protect you, but it also preserves certain rights connected to the original agreement. Those rights may become important if the Whitmore family attempts to rights connected to the original agreement. Those rights may become important if the Whitmore family attempts to sell or refinance the properties.

Do not surrender your independent sell or refinance the properties.

*Do not surrender your independent counsel. Do not sign documents you do not understand. And counsel.

Do not sign documents you do not understand. And never allow anyone to use your children to pressure you into giving up your inheritance.*

The letter ended never allow anyone to use your children to pressure you into giving up your inheritance.*

The letter ended with a final paragraph.

*If Cole ever asks you to transfer your interest with a final paragraph.

If Cole ever asks you to transfer your interest, remember this: the money is not the most, remember this: the money is not the most important thing you inherited. It is the evidence attached to it.

I lowered important thing you inherited. It is the evidence attached to it.*

I lowered the letter.

"The evidence?""

Daniel nodded slowly.

"Your grandmother retained copies the letter.

"The evidence?""

Daniel nodded slowly.

"Your grandmother retained copies of the original development agreements and correspondence. She believed they demonstrated that of the original development agreements and correspondence. She believed they demonstrated that her family's interest had been improperly reduced.

Those records may help establish the her family's interest had been improperly reduced. Those records may help establish the trust's rights.""

"And Cole wants them.""

"That is trust's rights.""

"And Cole wants them.""

"That is one possible explanation for his interest.""

Rebecca closed her notebook one possible explanation for his interest.""

Rebecca closed her notebook.

"Then we need to know whether the guardianship attempt and the trust dispute are connected.

"Then we need to know whether the guardianship attempt and the trust dispute are connected. We cannot assume they are, but the timing is concerning.""

I looked at the forged signature. We cannot assume they are, but the timing is concerning.""

I looked at the forged signature on the hospital document.

Three weeks earlier, Cole had allegedly begun building a on the hospital document.

Three weeks earlier, Cole had allegedly begun building a case that I was unstable.

Three weeks earlier, his mother's attorney case that I was unstable.

Three weeks earlier, his mother's attorney had contacted Daniel about my grandmother's estate.

Three weeks earlier, Cole had brought home a had contacted Daniel about my grandmother's estate.

Three weeks earlier, Cole had brought home a brochure for a private wellness facility.

And now, on Christmas Eve, he'd accidentally sent me a photograph brochure for a private wellness facility.

And now, on Christmas Eve, he'd accidentally sent me a photograph that could destroy his reputation.

I pressed my fingers against my forehead.

"What do that could destroy his reputation.

I pressed my fingers against my forehead.

"What do I do?""

Rebecca answered without hesitation.

"Preserve everything. Don't sign I do?""

Rebecca answered without hesitation.

"Preserve everything. Don't sign anything. Don't confront him alone.

And don't leave the hospital with anything. Don't confront him alone. And don't leave the hospital with the children until we understand the status of the documents and have a safe plan the children until we understand the status of the documents and have a safe plan.""

I nodded.

Then Daniel removed a final sheet from the envelope.

It was a photoc.""

I nodded.

Then Daniel removed a final sheet from the envelope.

It was a photocopy of a letter dated four months earlier.

The recipient wasopy of a letter dated four months earlier.

The recipient was Cole Whitmore.

The sender was my grandmother's attorney.

I read the opening line Cole Whitmore.

The sender was my grandmother's attorney.

I read the opening line.

*Mr. Whitmore, your request for access to the Bennett family trust has been denied.

Mr. Whitmore, your request for access to the Bennett family trust has been denied.

Below it, someone had handwritten a note.

He will try again.

My grandmother's handwriting.

IHe will try again.

My grandmother's handwriting.

I looked up.

"She knew he was trying to get into the trust before she looked up.

"She knew he was trying to get into the trust before she died.""

Daniel nodded.

"Apparently.""

I turned the died.""

Daniel nodded.

"Apparently.""

I turned the page over.

There was another note, written in blue ink.

*If he page over.

There was another note, written in blue ink.

If he marries Lauren, make sure she understands the agreement before she signs marries Lauren, make sure she understands the agreement before she signs anything.

My breath caught.

Cole hadn't simply discovered my inheritance after our anything.*

My breath caught.

Cole hadn't simply discovered my inheritance after our wedding.

He had asked about it before I married him.

And my grandmother had been worried enough to warn her wedding.

He had asked about it before I married him.

And my grandmother had been worried enough to warn her attorney.

I looked at Rebecca.

"Does this mean he married me attorney.

I looked at Rebecca.

"Does this mean he married me for my money?""

"No," she said carefully.

"It means we for my money?""

"No," she said carefully.

"It means we have evidence that he was interested in your family's assets before the wedding have evidence that he was interested in your family's assets before the wedding. We need more information before drawing a conclusion about his motives.""

I understood her. We need more information before drawing a conclusion about his motives.""

I understood her caution.

But my heart had already reached its own conclusion.

For six years, caution.

But my heart had already reached its own conclusion.

For six years, I'd believed I had married a man who loved me.

Now I wondered whether he'd first I'd believed I had married a man who loved me.

Now I wondered whether he'd first seen me as an opportunity.

My phone vibrated.

An unknown number.

seen me as an opportunity.

My phone vibrated.

An unknown number.

The message contained only one sentence.

*If you want to know why Cole marriedThe message contained only one sentence.

If you want to know why Cole married you, ask him what happened to your grandmother's original agreement in you, ask him what happened to your grandmother's original agreement in 2019.

I read it twice.

Then I showed Daniel.

His face changed.

"Who2019.*

I read it twice.

Then I showed Daniel.

His face changed.

"Who sent this?"" Rebecca asked.

"I don't know.""

Daniel took out sent this?"" Rebecca asked.

"I don't know.""

Daniel took out his phone.

"Don't reply yet.""

He his phone.

"Don't reply yet.""

He studied the message, then looked at the date on the letter.

studied the message, then looked at the date on the letter.

"Lauren, the original agreement was signed in 1998.""Lauren, the original agreement was signed in 1998. In 2019, the Whitmore family attempted to restructure the development rights.""

"What In 2019, the Whitmore family attempted to restructure the development rights.""

"What happened?""

"Your grandmother refused to approve the changes.""

"And happened?""

"Your grandmother refused to approve the changes.""

"And then?""

Daniel looked at me.

"Then the lead negoti then?""

Daniel looked at me.

"Then the lead negotiator disappeared from the transaction.""

"Who?""

He hesitated.

"Yourator disappeared from the transaction.""

"Who?""

He hesitated.

"Your husband's father.""

My mouth went dry.

Daniel continued.

"Richard husband's father.""

My mouth went dry.

Daniel continued.

"Richard Whitmore withdrew from the negotiations and resigned from the development group. Whitmore withdrew from the negotiations and resigned from the development group. The family said it was a health issue.

Your grandmother believed he The family said it was a health issue. Your grandmother believed he had discovered something in the original documents that threatened the entire deal had discovered something in the original documents that threatened the entire deal.""

I stared at him.

"And you think Cole knows what it.""

I stared at him.

"And you think Cole knows what it was?""

"I think we need to find out.""

Before I could was?""

"I think we need to find out.""

Before I could respond, my phone rang again.

This time, the caller ID showed Cole's name.

I answered respond, my phone rang again.

This time, the caller ID showed Cole's name.

I answered without speaking.