In the dimly lit room, Jennifer sat across from Barbara, the tension palpable in the air. Ethan, always the direct one, had just delivered a harsh truth. Jennifer, sensing the discomfort, attempted to soften the blow, "What my partner means..."
But Ethan wasn't having it. Cutting her off, he locked eyes with Barbara, his voice firm, "Two failed pregnancies, and Charles chose not the child but you the second time. But in the end, the result was that you survived, and the child tragically didn't. You didn't know about this initially and were still immersed in Charles's love. Later, when you went to the hospital where he works, you saw the doctor who delivered the baby, and during the conversation, that doctor inadvertently let it slip. That's when you found out."
Barbara's voice, trembling yet defiant, broke the silence. "But at the time, I quickly convinced myself to understand why Charles made that decision at that moment. I feel guilty for not being able to give Charles a child, so I buried this matter deep in my heart and tried to compensate him. But the result of doing so was that Charles became increasingly distant and disdainful of me. He was a compassionate doctor at the hospital, but he became increasingly cold-hearted toward me in private."
Jennifer, her tone gentle yet probing, asked, "Since your marriage was troubled, why didn't you consider divorce back then? Starting fresh might have been a better option. Why struggle in pain?"
Barbara's clenched fists relaxed slightly, a dim expression clouding her face. "Of course, I've thought about divorce and starting over. But when I finally made up my mind to end this marriage, I suddenly found out that Charles was having an affair."
"Is it Caroline?" Jennifer inquired.
"No, Caroline was just one of Charles's recent affairs. She hadn't even started her internship at the hospital at that time. The other woman was a doctor at Kindred General, younger than Charles. I initially thought he started having affairs only after it was confirmed that I couldn't have children, but it wasn't the case. He had known that woman for a long time, and they maintained a flirtatious relationship," Barbara revealed.
Ethan, recalling a previous clue, asked, "Was Charles's affair partner his first assistant during secret surgeries outside?"
"Perhaps, I'm not sure. But when I found out about Charles's relationship with that woman, he hadn't performed any secret surgeries outside yet. My thinking at the time was that even if my relationship with Charles had broken down, I wouldn't allow a third party to replace me as the mistress of this household. As long as we didn't divorce, he couldn't bring that woman into our lives. So, after that, I buried the thought of divorce deep inside me," Barbara's voice wavered, tears glistening in her eyes. She wiped them away, choking back her emotions, "Charles would never initiate a divorce. It would tarnish his image at the hospital. But in the days that followed, although we lived under the same roof, we became strangers. We didn't eat together or share a room. We only pretended to be a loving couple in front of others during necessary family gatherings."
Jennifer leaned forward, her voice steady but probing. "Do you know the name of that woman? And when did you first find out that Charles was performing surgeries for the poor in the old building?"
Barbara's gaze shifted to her glass, her fingers tracing the rim before responding. "That woman's name is Madelyn Clark. I did my own investigation, even hired a private investigator. It was clear they had a long-standing affair, both of them medical school graduates." She paused, taking a sip of water to compose herself. "It was two years after Charles and I separated our lives completely that I noticed his frequent late-night departures. By then, our marriage was just a facade. It wasn't until another two years passed that I discovered his secret surgeries in the old building, with Caroline as his assistant."
Ethan, sitting upright, glanced at the wedding photos of Barbara and Charles displayed on the TV cabinet. His question was direct. "When you say you grew apart, does that mean you were also involved in other romantic relationships? Is that the implication?"
Barbara's expression tightened, her irritation evident. "What do you mean by that? Charles's affair was a betrayal of our vows, something I deeply despise. I would never stoop to that level."
Ethan, unflinching, continued, "Your marriage seemed in name only. If you had other relationships, it would be understandable. So why the secrecy?"
Barbara's retort was swift, her voice rising slightly. "There's a difference between a messy meal and reckless speech. Your insinuations are an assault on my character," she said, turning away from both detectives.
Ethan, undeterred, placed a membership card from "Sophie Fitness Center" on the coffee table. "We've spoken to Hannah Fry before coming here. She's implicated in a serious matter and has revealed much."
The mention of "Hannah" caught Barbara off guard. She blinked, striving to maintain her calm. "I don't know what you're implying."
"But she was a close friend of yours, wasn't she? Now facing criminal charges, do you think she'll protect you?" Ethan's tone hardened. "Two deaths now tie back to you, Barbara. If you remain silent, we must consider the possibility that you're involved in the murders of both your husband, Charles, and Trevor."
Barbara, her jaw set in determination, dismissed the accusation. "That's preposterous. Trevor is a stranger to me." Her eyes flicked to the gym membership card. "I did frequent that gym, but purely for fitness. I was with Hannah once, didn't have my ID, so used hers for the membership. That's all there was to it."
Jennifer, her gaze inquisitive, leaned in slightly. "With several gyms in closer proximity, what made you choose one so far away?"
Barbara exhaled deeply, her response measured. "I chose it for its top-notch facilities and professional trainers. Is that not reason enough? If you're insinuating I traveled that distance for an affair, then check the gym's surveillance. You'll find no evidence of any inappropriate interactions."
Ethan, recalling the trainers' accounts of Trevor at Sophie Fitness Center, nodded. "We did check. And you're right, no such interactions were recorded. But it's clear why—you were careful not to display affection in such a public place, especially considering the age difference."
Barbara's voice rose in frustration. "I've told you, my visits were solely for exercise."
Ethan, undeterred, continued his line of questioning. "A woman nearing fifty, dating a younger man, might feel insecure, fearing he'd find someone else at the gym. Was that why you were there? To keep an eye on him?"
Despite the growing tension, Barbara maintained her stance. "As I said, my purpose was fitness alone."
Jennifer then added, "Considering you and Charles were living separate lives, it's not unreasonable to think you might have sought companionship elsewhere, right?"
Barbara's tone sharpened in response to the insinuation. "Your assumptions are completely unfounded."
The tension was almost palpable. Jennifer, maintaining her composed demeanor, spoke softly, "We're just trying to piece together the narrative, Barbara."
With a faint sigh of resignation, Barbara relented, "Fine, continue."
Ethan, attempting to diffuse the mounting tension, reassured her, "Remember, having a romantic relationship, even if outside your marriage, doesn't automatically implicate you in any crime."
Barbara's posture visibly deflated under the weight of the conversation. She understood the necessity of cooperating with the investigation. "Alright, go on with your questions," she conceded wearily.
Ethan leaned forward, his tone even. "We've gathered that Trevor was cautious at the gym, knowing you were watching. He didn't dare engage with other women or strike up random conversations."
Barbara's voice quivered with a mix of indignation and vulnerability. "Charles was the one who cheated, not me. Why do I feel like I'm the one being accused of some grave wrongdoing?" She reached for her glass, seeking a momentary respite, only to find it empty and set it back down with a sigh. "I'm tired. If your questions are going to continue along these lines, I'd prefer to stop for now."
Jennifer exchanged a glance with Ethan, sensing Barbara's growing frustration. However, Ethan, undeterred, stood and refilled Barbara's glass with water from the teapot. Reseating himself, he spoke gently, "We understand that Charles wronged you, and the loneliness you've endured is undeniable. Seeking companionship is natural and not something to be ashamed of. But now, with both Charles and Trevor gone, it's crucial to uncover the truth. If you remain silent, it could mislead the investigation, allowing the real perpetrator to remain free. Unless..."
Ethan paused, his voice trailing off, leaving an unfinished implication hanging in the air.
Suddenly, a new thought seemed to strike him. He leaned in slightly, his eyes narrowing. "Could it be that your denial of any relationship with Trevor is somehow connected to Madelyn?"
Barbara's reaction was immediate and startling. She met Ethan's gaze, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and surprise, then quickly shook her head. "Please, don't let your imagination run wild," she pleaded.
Ethan's voice cut through the tension, his gaze fixated on Barbara's glass. "It seems I've pieced it together correctly," he mused, a hint of resolve in his tone. "Caroline revealed that since Charles brought her into his orbit, he systematically erased every trace of Madelyn's existence. Was this a protective measure, shielding Madelyn from potential scrutiny if the hospital delved into her past? Or perhaps Charles was intent on burying the fact that Madelyn once worked in the old wing? Which truth are we facing here?"