Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

Jeannie gently coaxed Irwin back into bed, then lay down beside him, softly humming a lullaby.

It didn't take long before Irwin drifted off to sleep again.

Once she was sure he was sound asleep, Jeannie quietly slipped out of bed and

left the room.

She went next door and picked up her phone, glancing at the time.

A little after 2 a.m.-hardly an appropriate hour to call her employer.

But the matter was too important for her to care about propriety.

Jeannie dialed Stewart's number.

He answered almost immediately.

"Ms. Radcliffe." Stewart's deep voice came through the line. "Did Irwin have another nightmare?"

Jeannie felt her cheeks flush, her heart still pounding. She steadied herself and answered respectfully, "I'm sorry to bother you so late, Mr. Wentworth."

She hesitated, then continued, "Irwin did have another nightmare. This time it was worse than before he cried harder, kept saying he saw his mother covered in blood. While I was comforting him, he let a few things slip..."

The next morning, just after nine, the specialists Hannah had contacted arrived.

Three technicians showed up, dressed in protective gear and carrying professional equipment. They checked every inch of Briony's office and lounge, inside and out.

Half an hour later, the results were in.

No traces of high radiation were found anywhere.

Hannah called Briony with the update.

Briony was surprised when she heard the news.

James, who

shook her head. "Hannah said they didn't

the whole time. She's thorough-nothing gets past her." "So, were we wrong?" James huffed. "Guess that kid

sighed. "Now we're back to square one. No leads

is that you're safe. Just focus on taking care of yourself and the twins. That's what's important." Briony

scowled. "Don't

help but

Northborough, the law offices.

on

"Come in."

walked over

Wentworth, I

the box.

time, but luckily the stone was under

was quick-got it out before she

reached for the box, but Carl quickly warned, "Sir, be careful. That thing is highly

"I know."

Stewart opened the box.

stone glimmered with a

examined it for a moment before

to Southcreek Manor himself to talk to Irwin. The boy was young-easily manipulated by Lauren-and hadn't realized how dangerous the stone was. When Stewart explained

If Ms. Kensington already suspects Lauren, why go

put the stone under Briony's bed. If

widened in

that's why-Mr. Wentworth was protecting

on these stones for years. If Lauren managed

stones were mostly smuggled in from Southeast Asia, and

of a wealthy family, would never have gotten her hands

to return this little gift to Lauren," Stewart said, tapping the cold metal box with his finger.

nodded at once.

The Lockwood estate.