Could she have done it? He asked himself for the hundredth time. Before this incident, his answer would have been an emphatic no but now he wasn‘t so sure. It was difficult to imagine that the businessmen who were out to takeover Bestman from him would get involved in such a patently illegal transaction that could land them in jail. The evidence in his pocket pushed him to think the blame lay with Gladys.
That would mean she sold the stock he‘d given her just two months ago. She knew of the takeover bid and kept it to herself and she sold the stock without discussing it with him. The question was why? Much as he hated to admit it, it had to be the money. But where was the love, the agreement to always be on the same page? Did it not occur to her he might have needed the stock to keep back his rivals? It seemed she had betrayed him so effortlessly. He wanted to keep a cool head for their coming talk but it wasn‘t easy.
**********
He came into the house to find Gladys sitting on one of the living room chairs. When he noticed she was sleeping, he slammed the door. She woke up immediately. “Oh thank God you‘re back.” Gladys rushed over to give him a hug.
He stiffened the instant her arms went round him. He dropped his jacket and waited till she removed her arms from his neck. Stepping around her, he continued on his way into the house.
“Darling what is it?” He was behaving very strangely; even if he was exhausted. She was tired too and his aloof attitude stung.
Edward ignored her and climbed the stairs to the bedroom.
“Edward, I‘m talking to you. Can I get you anything to eat, drink?” At least that was somewhere to start.
“Leave me alone Gladys, you‘ve done enough.”
“What does that mean Edward? Don‘t speak in parables.” Her frown deepened as she followed him up the stairs.
“Don‘t you know already, or is it that you want to hear it from me?” Simmering anger roiled in his head but he shut it off.
“Maybe you told me earlier but I can‘t remember. I know it‘s something to do with your shares but that‘s all. I care for you and maybe I can help.” To be honest she didn‘t like the way he was handling this. It was a pity he was under this stress, but there was no need to take it out on her.