‘You know… that he’s grown up since then. I loved him, but he used to be the biggest flirt on the planet. James is less… confident, shall we say, around women.’
‘I’ve never thought of Robert as flirty,’ I reply, a little surprised by Amelia’s analysis of him. ‘That’s why this has all come as such a shock.’
‘So, did you…’ She breaks off.
‘What?’ I prompt. ‘Did I what?’
‘Did you trust him with his clients? All those fit, powerful businesswomen with their killer bodies…’
‘… and men,’ I add. ‘It isn’t just women he trains.’
‘I know, but his job means he’s getting up close and personal with a lot of women. That would test even the closest relationships.’
‘It’s never been an issue,’ I reply. ‘The truth is, until Sadie, I’ve never had any reason to doubt him.’ But I’m now wondering if that’s true. I cast my mind back over our marriage years and think about how charming Robert is with everyone. How women are always drawn to him. Is that because he encourages it? Surely not.
‘You need to find Sadie,’ Amelia says, jolting me from my dark thoughts. ‘Find out the truth about what’s gone on. She might even be lying.’
‘Do you think?’
‘Until you speak to her, you won’t know.’
Amelia is right. I need to track down Sadie and confront her face to face. I need to know whether or not she’s lying. Then maybe I’ll be able to accept things and move on. One way or another.
Fifty-Four
The day after my talk with Amelia, I go into the office with renewed purpose. First, I tell Damien that he will be running things for at least the next two weeks. Then I call two of my most trusted staff into my office.
A few minutes later, I’m sitting at my desk opposite Dave Ristretto, Head of Security, and Gary Marshall, Head of IT. Appearance-wise they are the polar opposites. Dave is six foot two and broad shouldered with a buzz cut. Gary is five ten, chubby and balding. Both men are fantastic at their jobs.
Normally I would make polite small talk, ask after their families and how everything is going at work. But right now I can’t work up the enthusiasm and I’m far too impatient. Instead, I cut straight to the main event.
‘I need to ask you both a favour.’
Dave raises an eyebrow. ‘Is this a work-related favour?’
‘No. You can pursue it during work time, but I’ll pay you separately, on top of your salaries. It’s an urgent matter.’
‘Is it legal?’ Gary asks with a chuckle.
‘Ye-es.’
‘You don’t sound too sure, boss,’ Gary says, still smiling.
‘I’m sure.’ I take a breath. ‘I need you to find someone for me.’
Neither of them reply.
‘It’s a woman. To be precise, it’s the woman who used to look after my kids. She’s a nanny, but she seems to have disappeared without a trace. Her phone number’s dead, her email is saying undeliverable, and there’s no forwarding address. Do you think you can help? Or should I hire a PI?’
There’s a brief silence.
‘What’s her name?’ Gary asks.
‘Sadie Lewis.’
‘That her real name?’ Gary adds.
‘I don’t know. It wouldn’t surprise me if it was fake.’