บททั้งหมดของ Secrets Behind The Mask: บทที่ 181 - บทที่ 190

After dinner, Nate called Tim on speaker."I was wondering when I'd hear from you," Tim said, his voice crackling slightly over the sat phone connection. "How'd it go? She believe you?""She knows the truth." Nate glanced at Prue, who was curled up on the sofa watching him with those green eyes. "And she wants to help. Wants to confront Trish. Get a confession on record."A pause. "Confront her how?""Wearing a wire. Meeting her at our place. Getting her to admit what she did." Nate ran a hand through his hair. "I told her it was too dangerous, but she's—""I'm right here," Prue called out. "And I can hear you. Stop talking about me like I'm not in the room."Tim's laugh came through the line. "Sounds like you've got your hands full.""You have no idea." But Nate was smiling despite himself. "What do you think? Is it feasible?""Getting a confession would make the case bulletproof," Tim admitted. "Right now, we've got strong evidence, the forensic analysis, the spoofing software on Tr

"Do you want coffee or—" Prue started."No." Trish turned to face her. "No coffee. Just talk to me, Prue. What's going on? Why did you call me after all this time?"Here it was. The moment everything hinged on.Prue took a breath, let it out slowly. "I've been thinking. About everything. About you and Nate and what you told me. About the affair."Trish's posture shifted. Became guarded. "Okay.""I was angry. So angry when I found those messages on your phone. When I saw the photos." Prue moved toward the sofa, sat down slowly. Playing confused, uncertain. "I kicked Nate out. Spent all this time convinced he'd betrayed me.""I know." Trish sat down across from her, perched on the edge of the armchair. "I know, sweetie. And I'm so sorry. I never wanted you to find out that way—""But I've been thinking," Prue continued, cutting through Trish's practiced sympathy. "And I've changed my mind."Trish went very still. "Changed your mind about what?""About Nate. About giving up on our marriag

The hotel was one of those boutique places in Manhattan with a discreet entrance, exactly the kind of place you went when you needed privacy and were willing to pay for it. It wasn't huge and flashy but small and elegant.Nate checked them in with cash, using a name that wasn't his. She was guessing he wanted to hide where they were. Not surprising once the media got hold of what happened. The clerk didn't blink. Just handed over the key cards and gestured toward the elevator."How much cash did you give her?""Enough for her to look the other way about hotel policy. Normally you need ID to check in. I didn't want to use ours."They rode up in silence, Prue pressed against his side, her hand fisted in his shirt like she was afraid he'd disappear if she let go. The adrenaline was still draining out of her, leaving her shaking and pale. She could still see down the barrel of the gun, but that hadn't scared her as much as when the gun had swung around to Nate. It had been foolish to tackl

Nate watched Prue sleep for maybe ten minutes before his phone buzzed again. A text from Tim: News crews are already circling. Story's going to break within the hour. You should warn the Ambassador before he sees it on TV.Tim had done his research on who Prue was, and he wasn't wrong. Fuck. He'd been so focused on dealing with his own family disaster that he hadn't thought about Prue's father.He looked down at his wife, still asleep against his chest, her breathing deep and even. She needed rest. Needed peace. But she also needed to be the one to tell her father what had happened before some news anchor did it for her."Prue." He shook her gently. "Babe, wake up."She stirred, her eyes opening slowly, confusion flickering across her face before memory returned. "What's wrong? Is it Trish? Did she—""Trish is still in custody. But Tim just texted. The news is about to break. You need to call your father before he hears about it on television."She sat up, running a hand through her h

Nate's mouth was on her neck, his hands sliding under her sweater, when his phone started buzzing in his pocket."Ignore it," Prue breathed, her head tilting back to give him better access. "Please. Just ignore it."He wanted to. God, he wanted to. But the phone kept buzzing, that particular pattern that meant it was Tim. And Tim wouldn't call unless it was important. He set ring tones to know if it was work or important."Fuck." He pulled back, dragging the phone from his pocket. "I'm sorry, babe. It's Tim. I have to—""I know." She stepped back, adjusting her sweater, her cheeks flushed and her lips swollen. "Answer it."He pressed accept, already dreading whatever news was coming. "Tim.""We've got a problem." Tim's voice was tight. "Trish's lawyer just filed paperwork claiming she's mentally incompetent to stand trial. They're going for an insanity defense."Nate's stomach dropped. "What?" But he had guessed this would happen. But hearing it only made it more real."Insanity plea.