CHAPTER 11: Clues

KATHLEEN

The knowledge of what Charles had done drove me crazy. I thought about it day and night, trying to tease out the reasons he might have but came up with nothing. Especially since he'd said nothing about it. If he'd wanted to embarrass me, all he had to do was make it clear what he'd done.

So I'd arranged things with our work until we were placed together on some calculations. We were working in an office, one given to me for the duration of the project. Sitting next to each other where our calculations could easily be shared.

Charles sat beside me, his head tilted downward, a pencil in hand, writing out a calculation to put into our computer program.

He looked younger, vulnerable somehow, lost in his words. I watched him surreptitiously, my feelings torn between anger and remorse. It took a long time to work up the courage.

"Why did you help me?" I asked, leaning toward him. It was the first time in four years my words to him came out softly.

He looked up at me, his dark eyes