Free The Puzzle by Peggy A. Edelheit Page B

seven, and then left for the city for a more social life. I really couldn’t blame him. I was sorry to see him go though, as I valued those years we spent together a lot.”
    “Jack, this is so surprising, this personal relationship you had with Stephen.”
    “I don’t see why he didn’t tell you. He was a great guy–you were one lucky woman. You know, he could talk anyone into anything.”
    That fact I was well aware of.
    “What happened after that?”
    “He assured me he would still work on the books electronically long distance.”
    “Is that how you two stayed in touch?”
    “Yes.” With a pained expression, Jack looked away.
    “Where did he go from here?” I asked, hopeful for something more.
    “Where he was when you met him, at his so-called prestigious accounting firm. You knew him from then on.”
    “How long did he continue to do your paperwork?”
    “He quit several months ago. I was surprised, I admit. It hurt, especially considering our history together. I took it pretty hard. He was just like family to me.”
    “Did you ask him why?”
    “He flat out told me to get someone else, and refused to give any other explanation. What could I say?”
    I nodded, but I was puzzled. Jack gave up without a fight? How strange. Didn’t add up, but then what did add up when it concerned this other side to the Stephen I never knew? I could see Jack was just as crushed as I was about Stephen’s death. He sure looked it, as he suddenly became misty-eyed.
    I placed my hand on his. “I’m so sorry Jack. I thought I was the only one hurting so much. Please, forgive me asking about all this. I really didn’t know how involved your connection to Stephen was.”
    I sat in the booth, long after Jack left. I couldn’t believe what I had heard. This turn of events left me with a lot to think about. Some of what happened in Stephen’s past finally made sense to me, but why did this new information disturb me and leave me with more questions? Some of those gaps were slowly filling in, but more opened up. How complicated was their relationship? Why didn’t Stephen explain to Jack why he would no longer work for him? Why was he so evasive and secretive? What was he hiding? Did his secretiveness have anything to do with his death? I knew one thing for certain.
    My laptop would definitely be working overtime.

 
     
    Chapter 18
     
    So, I Was Wrong About A Lot Of Things
     
    I know, I know, I was wrong about Jack. Well, who could blame me? Here I was trying to figure out who killed Stephen and why, and becoming more suspicious each day of everything and everyone around me, and everything I found out was a surprise. What surprised me the most was how little I knew Stephen. Here was someone I was supposedly living the rest of my life with and I didn’t have any idea what was going on right in front of me.
    I wasn’t quite sure where this was leading either. I wasn’t sure about a lot of things these days. I only knew that I had come this far and was not about to give up. Where did I fit into all this? The more I delved into Stephen’s past, the more confused I became. Where do I go next? Who do I see? I had one answer, but not one I eagerly wanted to pursue. I really didn’t want to go there, but I had to.
    Ben…
    I drove to the market and walked in, and sure enough, there he was. It was as though he had a sixth sense when I arrived and swung around to face me with a leering smile. Resentment rose in my throat, but I suppressed it. Like before, I mentally repeated to myself over and over, I can do this. I had to, for Stephen and myself.
    “Hello Ben. I was wondering if I could have a word with you in private.”
    “Sure, we can talk in my office. Right this way.” He gestured for me to follow him.
    I was reluctant, but didn’t have much choice. I didn’t want anything we said to become common knowledge. In this town, it was a high probability it would be anyway.
    I followed him inside his office and sat as he