“Okay, I know. I won't cause you any trouble," Ariana promised.

She winced inwardly as she said, "So, were you waiting for me here? What did you want?"

“I just happened to be passing by." Theodore managed to say this so indifferently that it sounded true.

"Oh, that really is a coincidence."

Ariana swiped her key card and entered her room. Theodore was about to follow her in, but she turned and blocked him.

"Is there anything else?" she asked.

"It's late."

Theodore didn't know what to say, but did he really need a reason to enter his wife's hotel room?

"Well, I'm going to get some sleep. You should too."

Before he could say anything, she slammed the door shut.

*

The next day, Ariana awoke feeling refreshed after a great night's sleep.

She brushed her teeth and then turned on the TV as she ate breakfast.

She switched on the news. Lynch had been convicted of rape and murder, but he had escaped last night, and it was suggested he might have fled to Ivebridge.

That was a strange coincidence, Ariana thought to herself. What reason did he have to come to Ivebridge? She had a bad feeling, so she called Sarah immediately.

Bleary-eyed and hung-over, Sarah murmured, “I'll be fine. But you should be careful. I think he hates you more than me. After all, he got arrested because of you. Besides, you said he saw your face. So make sure you wear a mask and a hat when you go out from now on."

"I know, I know. I will be careful."

Ariana continued her breakfast, and all of a sudden, an idea came to her mind. Could Theodore have come to Ivebridge and booked a room next to hers because of Lynch?

That sounded implausible. He would probably be more concerned with the safety of his mistress.

Ariana hit her head with the palm of her hand and told herself,