Meagan

While I was tempted to stay and see how things played out, Colby was correct as usual. Staying here with the wife and the guests would put David into a very difficult position and that was the last thing I wanted to do. I care about David enough that I started to gather my things to leave. I used the cover story that Colby said I should use, saying the car didn't start and that I would be getting a ride with the lawyer back into town. Everyone seemed to buy it, expect for the one guest who knew better, the writer. Josh walked up to me when the coast was clear and slipped something into my hand. It was his business card.

"My cell number is on the back," Josh whispered into my ear, "Call me next week and we'll do lunch. Sound good?"

"That does, thank you," I replied, slipping the card into my pocket for safe keeping.

With no one looking, I leaned in and gave Josh a small peck on the cheek and then moved on to collect my things. It only too a few moments, and I started to descend the stairs to get the hell out of there. My exit however, was intercepted by Mrs. Parsons who pretty much blocked my exit and appeared to be doing it on purpose.

"Young lady," Mrs. Parsons stared, "What has you leaving in such a rush?"

"Oh, I was never meant to be here that long," I apologized, hoping a little humility might deflect any suspicion. "I meant to leave yesterday after I delivered the offer, but my car wouldn't start. The lawyer is heading back to town right now, and was nice enough to offer me a ride back. I'll have a two truck come and take my car later in the week. I'm very sorry for the inconvenience."

"Oh, that's why you're still here?" Mrs. Parsons said, "And what is with the sushi platters?"

Damn it, she was cornering me with the food I had brought to eat with her husband. I had to do some careful bullshitting if I was going to talk my way out of this one.

"I'm not a big fan of it myself," I started to explain, "But Mr. Packard is a big fan of it, and his agent made the order and had me pick it up to deliver with his offer."

"Oh, I see," Mrs. Parsons said, as she thought about it, "Do you normally do that, bring food out with official business."

"Not usually," I conceded, "But Mr. Packard's agent was obviously trying to kiss up to his biggest client. He was also probably afraid he might not like something in the offer and was using this to soften the blow. I'm not exactly sure which it is but his agent seems to work like that."

"That's very interesting," Mrs. Parson said, as she was clearly analyzing every statement I made and was clearly in interrogation mode.

As if he had a sixth sense and could feel that I was in need of assistance, Colby came into the kitchen out of no where and pointed over to me and called out.

"Hey!" Colby called out, "We need to get moving. Time is money!"

"Sorry about that," Mrs. Parsons said, turning to face the attorney. "Do the two of you know one another?"

"Nope," Colby said, lying right to the hostess' face. "I'm just in the middle of a big case that actually starts tomorrow. I need to get back to the city asap so that I can keep working on the opening I was drafting when your husband called to get help with his cat killer."

"That is awfully nice of you to offer her a ride," Mrs. Parsons added, still suspicious.

"Well, you're already paying me a lot to be here," Colby reminded her, "So, since I'm heading back in there's no need to add an expensive Uber to your costs. You, let's get going!"

Mrs. Parsons turned to face me, and I could tell by the look on her face that she wanted to ask more questions.

"Of course," Mrs. Parsons answered, "Off you go. I don't want to keep you from your work."

"Thank you kindly, Ma'am," Colby said as watched me pass by her in the staircase. "We'll get her out of your hair and allow you to enjoy the rest of your weekend."

"Thank you for your help, Mr. Jones," Mrs. Parsons said, "For helping with our cat killer."

"That's what I get paid the big bucks for," Colby said, trying not to be boastful, "I was happy to help but I do really need to get going."

"Drive safely," Mrs. Parsons said, as she watched the two of us leave the kitchen.

"What the hell was that?" Colby asked, "That is the last person David wanted you talk to!"

"She cornered me on the staircase," I replied, "It was more of an ambush than an actual attack. Thanks for getting me out of there."

"Get in the car," Colby ordered, "We're going to get you as far away from this damn cabin as we can."

As we were walking back to the car, which was a very nice looking Jag, I noticed that David Parsons took his lawyer aside for a moment and whispered something to him.

"It's all good, David," Colby said, reassuring him, "We are outta here. See you soon."

"Thank you," Mr. Parsons said.

Once Colby Jones was back in the driver's side of his Jaguar, he didn't even hesitate to start the car up and rip right out of there like a bat out of hell. As the drove up the long driveway and took a sharp turn back onto the road, I could tell that he was steaming over what happened.

"I swear to you it was an accident," I told him, "If I knew that anyone was there, let alone his wife, then I would have steered clear of that place."

"He didn't send you any messages, not even a text?" Colby asked.

"He didn't, I swear!" I pleaded, "Maybe he couldn't send anything as his wife was watch too closely or something. I don't know why this mix up occurred, but I didn't do this on purpose."

"Alright, alright," Colby said, as he ripped another corner to get onto the highway. "I believe you. Let's just chalk this up as bad timing. As long as there's no harm, I guess there's no foul."

"I am still sorry," I said again, "I had no idea there was anyone up there."

"I just need you to realize that if you truly love this man," Colby carried on, "That you need to be more careful and keep your distance from the missus. If that marriage goes to hell in a hand basket, you do not want to be anywhere near the blast zone. You don't want to be the woman that was responsible for his marriage going into the shitter. Don't be that woman. Let someone else take the fall and get labelled with that."

"Someone else?" I repeated, as I didn't like the sound of that.

"Yes, someone else," Colby said, with a sly grin on his face. "I can assure you there are more women on the side than just you, Megan. I am pretty sure there's someone at the office whose wick he's dipping his pen into. Hell, it might be one of the women who were there for this crazy business retreat."

"If that were true," I responded, "It would be pretty dumb to invite her to the cabin with his wife there too."

"Maybe," Colby said, "But it's not as dumb as you think. That gives him deniability, and that 3D chess like thinking if you know what I mean."

"Well, if I had to guess," I said, thinking about it, "I think he's banging the one that's dating the writer. She was staring at him the whole time I was there. She didn't even seem to give a

shit that I was there with her man, so I'm thinking they might have an open relationship."

"How the hell would you..." Colby stopped himself as he realized it himself. "You didn't!"

"Oh, I did," I said, smiling back at him. "So, I don't think you have to worry about me hounding David going forward cause I'm going to give that writer a call back the first chance I get."

"You are a real piece of work," Colby said, almost laughing.

"Thank you," I said, as I was quite happy with how the weekend actually turned out.

"That wasn't a compliment," Colby replied.

"Never took it as one," I countered.

"Well, at least you weren't caught in the act," Colby said, trying to salvage something. "But that was reckless even for you."

"What's reckless was not warning me someone was there," I said, "Now the writer and his woman have David in a position he might not want to be in. So, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out who's getting promoted... does it?"

"Shit," Colby said, as the thought had never occurred to him.

"David is a big boy," I reminded him, "He doesn't need you for everything."

"I guess not," Colby conceded, "But it's nice to know you're need every now and then."

"I know what you mean," I said, smiling back at him. "I really do."