Free Betrayed by Camilla Isles

work I never thought that way about her, but as my marriage crumbled she became my rock, someone I could talk to in confidence about my situation. We started out as good friends and then it became more.” MacGregor massaged his forehead and then looked up at them.
    “I’m devastated by her disappearance, but I didn’t feel I could let on. I mean, I’m her employer. I had to display a certain distance to the situation, for my children’s sake.”
    “But you could have told us. We wouldn’t have told anyone, but now, hearing it like we did through the grapevine, it makes you look suspicious,” Ginger said. Justin looked at her with even more respect than he had before. She was taking charge and at the same time keeping his temper in check.
    “Yes, I know it must look bad, but believe me when I tell you, I would never hurt Amy. I love her. If there is anything I can do to help find her I will do it, but please, for my children’s sake, I don’t want our affair to come out.”
    Justin didn’t like MacGregor. It seemed he was more interested in his own fate than Amy’s. While he said he loved her, Justin wasn’t buying it. More like using her. He could no longer get his rocks off with his own wife, so he turned to his secretary. Justin had a jaded way of looking at some people, and MacGregor fit that mold.
    Justin leaned over the desk and faced MacGregor. “I don’t care about you or your children, MacGregor. All I care about is getting my sister back unharmed.”
    “Of…of course you do,” MacGregor stammered. “I want to help in any way I can.”
    “As long as your kids don’t find out you’ve been screwing the secretary, right?”
    “Justin!” Ginger exclaimed.
    “Okay, fine. If it comes out it won’t be from me. But you be sure and tell the cops, or I will,” Justin said as he turned to walk out the door.
    Ginger gave MacGregor a reproachful look and walked out behind Justin. When they got out of earshot Justin stopped and turned to Ginger and said, “I don’t trust him.”
    “I’m not sure I do either. There’s something slimy about him, but I’m not sure he’s involved in Amy’s disappearance.”
    As they reached the elevators Justin said, “I’m keeping him on my radar. I’ll send a couple of prospects to keep an eye on him and Pennington.”

 
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Eight
     
    When Justin and Ginger walked into the clubhouse they were happy to see that Red had eaten two sandwiches and even a slice of warmed-up pizza. Lily was making a huge pot of chili in the kitchen for the guys when they got back from posting flyers. Ginger excused herself to help Lily. Aaron finally tore himself away from the computer game and joined Red at the table. Other club members and old ladies filed in as the day wore on.
    Red felt better since he’d eaten something and was beginning to feel that good news was on the way. He was sure someone would recognize Amy from the flyers. Maybe she hit her head and lost her memory and was in a hospital recuperating. It was the thought Red hung onto. It had to be the case. He couldn’t lose his only girl.
    As the rest of the club members filed in and everyone served themselves up a steaming bowl of chili, the atmosphere was more lighthearted than it had been the last few days. Like Red, the club hoped the flyers would stroke someone’s memory. They were doing something, and that felt good – like they would be rewarded with a good result.
    Maybe someone saw something and would go to the police or to the club with information. The flyer’s listed both the police department number and the club’s number. Many people who did business with the auto body shop were also helping by delivering the news of Amy’s disappearance through social media.
    A few laughs were heard around the clubhouse. It was fine with Justin, and he was glad to hear it. The more buoyant atmosphere gave him hope. Unfortunately, that hope would be dashed in a few hours.
     
    *****
     
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