The Deception by Marina Martindale Page A

headed into the den. He glanced at his watch as he took a seat in front of her computer. Thirty-six hours. It would all be over in another thirty-six hours.
     
    * * *
     
    "Are you sure this is what you want, Scott?"
    He was standing in his supervisor's office. He'd just submitted his letter of resignation, effective immediately
    "Yes, Howard, I'm sure. I'm really sorry to give you such short notice, but the firm in Kansas City wants me to start right away, and I need to head home to start packing. Don't worry. I've already brought John and Marcia up to speed on all the projects I'm working on. They'll take over where I've left off."
    "You know, Scott, I wish you'd spoken up if you were that unhappy here. Maybe we could have worked something out."
    "Thanks, Howard, however, this has nothing to do with Morton-Evans. It's me. My home life has been less than happy for some time now, so my wife and I have decided to go our separate ways. I need to make a fresh start someplace else."
    "I understand. Good luck, Scott, and don't be a stranger."
    The two men shook hands before Scott left Howard's office. He went back to his cubicle and threw his personal belongings into a box, saying a quick goodbye to his coworkers before rushing out the door. It was Maggie's day to volunteer at Ben's school and he wanted to be sure he was on the road before the last class let out.
    He raced home, parking in the driveway and popping the trunk open. He quickly gathered up the pieces of new luggage he had stashed away, taking it inside to the master bedroom. He began hastily packing his clothes and other personal items. As he zipped up the last bag he looked at the wall over the bed. At least Maggie had picked out some halfway decent replacement frames. He took down the two photos of Carrie. They'd be something for him to remember her by. He brought them downstairs, along with all his bags, and quickly loaded his car. He came back for his laptop. He'd have to stop at the first out-of-town hotspot he could find to email the kids. He smiled to himself as he slipped the computer into its case. His only regret was that he wouldn't be there to see the shocked look on Maggie's face when she was served with the divorce papers. No doubt it would be priceless. He set the computer case down at the foot of the staircase and made one last trip up to the master bedroom. He deposited his house keys and garage door opener on the dresser. Coming back down, he stopped to look around the family room one last time.
    "Well, Maggie, thanks for everything--not. It was fun, for about the first six months, and then you became a total bore. No wonder you had to get yourself knocked-up in order to keep your hooks in me. But as of today, my dear, it's all over, and I'm going to fight for custody of the kids too. I'll be damned if I'm going to sit back and let you turn them into a pair of snot-nosed, annoying whiners like you."
    He picked up his laptop and opened the front door, carefully turning the bottom lock behind him. His fully loaded car was waiting. He tossed his laptop into the passenger seat, slipped behind the wheel, fired up the engine and drove away. For the first time in nearly seventeen years, he could savor the sweet taste of freedom. It was exhilarating. He would enjoy every moment of it. As he merged onto the freeway he began debating with himself. His route would take him past her exit, and he knew her studio was close by.
    "Oh well, what the hell."
    He took the exit and soon found the industrial park. There was an empty parking space in front of the suite with the words, "Carrie Daniels Photography," painted on the front door. Upon entering, he stepped into a small reception area with poster-sized samples of her work proudly displayed on the walls. He hadn't realized just how talented of a photographer she really was. He rang the bell on top of the counter and heard her voice calling out that she'd be right there. She appeared a moment later, obviously