Chapter 6 - The Game of Cats and Mice
We spent the next hour meticulously packing everything back into the garbage bag, sliding it back into the cavity of the mattress, and taping the fabric closed so it looked undisturbed. We wiped down every surface we had touched, leaving no trace of Clara’s visit.
Clara agreed to stay out of sight, renting a room at a motel down the street, while I remained in the house to await Miguel’s return.
According to his itinerary, Miguel wasn't supposed to return from Dallas until late tomorrow night. But fate—or his own paranoia—had other plans.
At 8:00 p.m. that evening, just as the Arizona sun dipped below the horizon painting the desert sky in shades of bruised purple and orange, I heard the familiar crunch of tires in our gravel driveway.
Car doors slammed. Heavy footsteps crunched up the walkway.
My heart slammed against my ribs. I quickly sat on the sofa, opening a book and forcing my breathing to remain steady.
The front door unlocked and swung open. Miguel strode into the entryway, tossing his suitcase onto the floor and loosening his tie. He looked tired, his hair slightly disheveled, but there was an erratic, restless energy in his eyes.
“Ana?” he called out, his voice sharp. “Are you home?”
“I’m in the living room, honey,” I called back, keeping my tone as normal as possible.
Miguel walked into the room, his eyes scanning every corner as if inspecting the premises. He didn't lean down to kiss my forehead like he usually did. Instead, he stared at me with an intense, probing gaze.
“You’re back early,” I noted, closing my book and looking up at him. “I thought your meetings in Dallas ran through tomorrow.”
Miguel’s jaw tightened. He forced a thin, tight smile. “Flights were rescheduled. Business finished early. I missed my wife.”
May you like
He said the words, but his eyes were cold—dead, calculating eyes that didn't match his smile.
“Did anything happen while I was gone?” he asked casually, walking toward the kitchen, but keeping his periphery locked on me. “Did you... go into the bedroom much?”
