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I spent a good bit of time after she left sitting with my feet dangling over the edge of our soon to be completed in ground swimming pool flipping my empties into that money sucking hole Jan insisted we had to have. Beth asked to stay over at a friend’s house so (unless Jan showed up) it was just me, what’s left of a 12 pack and my ever present inability to let things that seem off center…go. She couldn’t be in two places at once…so why at that place? She could’ve loaned her car to someone, but then how would she get to her meeting? If it was her where did she go? Was she meeting with someone? Would she? Spidey sense tingling? Yes. Am I too drunk to really be doing this now? Probably. Got to get up without a headache so I can testify in court against that kiddie porn guy’s hearing. I tossed the half finished can over my shoulder into the pit and headed for bed.

Jan was there when I came into the kitchen. My filled coffee mug was on the table as was a toasted bagel with cream cheese on a napkin. She smiled at me and said good morning. She put her coffee cup in the sink and as she wafted past me I received a peck on the cheek as her goodbye as she headed to the bedroom for her shower.
As I walked down the drive toward my car breakfast in hand I was able, using a few minor unspoken details, to do a quick analysis of what had just transpired.

First: Jan was wearing her robe. On any given day…perfectly ordinary. Today, however as she passed I saw she was still wearing what she left the house in except for a couple of items. On my way out I found she had hung her bag over my key fob next to the door. When I picked it up her pantyhose came tumbling out along with her very fancy lace trimmed bra. Without thinking I rehung the bag and placed the clothing back inside.

Second: I don’t recall her coming home last night nor was her side of the bed mussed. She might’ve slept on the sofa but that isn’t likely. She would’ve had me sleep there as I would normally do if my shift ended late.

Third: She had not shared her exploits regarding the success of the event. She used to brag about how her candidate was benefitting from all the hours she and her team have dedicated to his campaign and how close they had all become as a the team of the projected winner. Her eyes would glow as she gushed about how great a mayor he was gonna make and that she was guaranteed a position in his administration. Seems like I was hearing less and less and she was gone more and more.

I dropped the bagel in the trash barrel out front and watered the grass with the coffee. I’ll get some at the precinct and my appetite had departed between the second and third things that crossed my mind.
I see myself in the mirror every day. I don’t really like looking but it’s kinda hard to shave, clip nose or ear hair without doing it. There will be no miracle. My jowls won’t disappear and my hair won’t reappear.
The evidence is circumstantial. My wife, our marriage potential for survival hangs by the thinnest strand of web.

When I returned that evening dinner was on the table. Both girls appeared to make an effort to lighten the usually mundane table talk. It began to feel like it did seemingly ages ago to be home as a family. Jan’s phone rang. She never even looked to see who was calling excused herself and left the room without answering. Pam turned to me and with a quizzical look asked if this happens regularly. I stood, picked up my plate and shook my head. “No sweetheart. I’m sure it’s just about work.” As Pam cleared the table I went to my briefcase and retrieved a small electronic device. One of the tech guys had loaned it to me during a drug case and it wound up getting lost in the bureaucracy. While both girls were otherwise occupied I armed the spy gear, slipped into Pam’s car and planted it under the dash. I headed to the backyard and checked the GPS location. I would now have a record of her travels. Phase one is underway. I sat, cracked open another beer and dangled my legs once again over my money pit.

Next: PROOF

NSFW: yes

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