The Man She Cheated

5th And Man

CHAPTER 7

The parking garage smelled like oil and rain.

8:03 p.m. Kendrick sat in his car on Level 4, engine off, hands tight on the wheel. He’d counted 12 cars since he got here. None of them moved.

His phone buzzed. Unknown number.

"Level 4. Stairwell B. Alone."

No name. He didn’t need one.

Kendrick got out, locked the car, and walked. His footsteps echoed too loud. He kept his hand near his pocket where the photo was folded. Clara in the elevator. Pale. Sick. Two nights ago.

Stairwell B was half-lit. Flickering fluorescent.

Liam stood at the bottom step. Mid-30s. Suit too clean for a parking garage. He looked like he’d just come from a boardroom. Not a place where he blackmailed sick women.

"You’re Kendrick Carter," Liam said. No question.

Kendrick didn’t answer. "You’re L. Black."

Liam smiled. "Good. You’re fast."

Kendrick stepped down two steps. "What do you know about my ex-wife?"

Liam pulled his phone out. Swiped. Held it up.

Clara. Again. This time clearer. Standing outside Room 2204. Hand on her stomach. Eyes closed.

"You sent these," Kendrick said.

"I documented," Liam corrected. "There’s a difference."

Kendrick’s jaw tightened. "Why?"

"Because she’s mine," Liam said casually, like he was talking about a car lease. "And because you’re about to make a mistake, Mr. Carter."

Kendrick’s stomach dropped. "What mistake?"

"Going to her apartment tonight." Liam put the phone away. "She’s not alone. And if you show up angry, screaming about adultery, you’ll lose Daniel. Again."

Kendrick’s mind raced. "What do you know about Daniel?"

"I know he’s eight. I know he thinks his mom’s getting better. I know if these photos hit his school, he won’t." Liam stepped closer. "I’m trying to help you, Kendrick."

"Bullshit," Kendrick said. "You’ve been stalking her."

"Stalking?" Liam laughed. "No. I’m her landlord. Her sponsor. Her only shot at living past next month. She came to me."

Kendrick’s mind went to the apartment. 142 Oak St.

"You’re lying," he said.

"Check the lease," Liam said. "Liam Black Enterprises. Delaware shell. I’m sure your lawyer’s already looking."

Kendrick didn’t answer. His lawyer had called him an hour ago. Same name.

Liam saw it on his face.

"Here’s the deal," Liam said. "Friday. 9 p.m. Room 2204. Clara comes alone. She brings Daniel. You don’t interfere. If you do, I send everything to Daniel’s school, to your phone, to every parent in that district."

"And if I come?" Kendrick said quietly.

"Then you hear the truth," Liam said. "Why she left you. Why she’s with me. Why she can’t tell you."

Kendrick stared at him. The garage was silent except for water dripping somewhere above.

"I’ll be there Friday," Kendrick said finally. "Not to stop you. To hear her say it."

"Smart," Liam said. He turned to leave, then stopped.

"One more thing," Liam said. "Don’t tell Clara we met. She thinks she’s controlling this. Let her think that. It makes her easier to manage."

Kendrick didn’t reply.

Liam walked up the stairs and disappeared.

Kendrick stood there for a full minute after.

He didn’t know about the malware. He didn’t know Liam had been watching Clara’s phone since Tuesday. He didn’t know Clara was two blocks away, parked outside Daniel’s school, staring at the same photo on her phone.

He only knew one thing: Friday at 9 p.m., he’d get answers.

Even if it destroyed what was left of him.

Clara’s apartment. 9:47 p.m.

Clara locked the door twice. She checked the window. Pulled the curtains shut.

Daniel was asleep in his room.

Her phone buzzed. Unknown number again.

"Still thinking about Friday?"

She didn’t reply. She couldn’t.

She put the phone in the drawer, locked it, and sat on the edge of Daniel’s bed.

She watched him sleep for 20 minutes.

She didn’t cry. She couldn’t afford to.

Nancy’s apartment. 10:15 p.m.

Nancy hung up her phone and tossed it on the couch.

Kendrick hadn’t answered her last three calls.

"Whatever," she muttered. She had Josh texting her anyway.

She didn’t know Clara was sick.

She didn’t know Clara was seeing Liam.

She didn’t know Kendrick had just met Liam.

To her, it was just another night.

48 hours to Friday.

Room 2204 was ready. Liam was waiting.

Clara was counting pills. Kendrick was counting hours. Nancy was still in the dark.

The hallway between Room 2204 and Room 2210 stayed empty.

For now.