A story of power, money, and deception.

CASA DEL MAR, SOUTHEAST OF DENVER

Susan Biddinger sat in the dining room of the house she and her husband, Doug, owned on the Kincaide Ranch. Sitting across from her was Jim Harrison, a private investigator.

“I followed Mister Biddinger for three weeks,” the detective said. “During that time, I found that he was regularly meeting with the same woman. They would meet at least three times a week, in a small motel on Colfax Avenue.”

“On Colfax,” Susan said quietly. “So she’s a hooker?”

“No, she’s not. I followed her after one of their meetings, and she lives in Highlands Ranch. I checked around and found that the woman is Marilyn Stone, wife of Richard Stone,” Jim said.

Susan gasped a bit. “He’s shacking up with Marilyn?”

“You know her?” Jim asked.

“We’re on a few charities together,” Susan replied. “And her husband is one of the family’s biggest competitors in business.”

“I see,” the detective replied. “Well, to move on, I have a set of photographs I have taken for you to look at. They prove your suspicion that your husband is having an affair. However, there is more than meets the eye. Yes, I have evidence of the affair with Marilyn Stone, but I also have photos of three other women.”

“And who are they?” Susan asked.

“Jasmine Hallowell, Kristina Gransky, and Rachel Fuller. All of them are secretaries at Biddinger Oil.”

Susan sighed. “Okay, then that’s all I really need, isn’t it? Let me get your check.”

After paying off the private detective, and stopping his investigation of her husband, Susan took the package of photographs into the living room, spreading them out on the coffee table. She then grabbed a bottle of whiskey off the bar, pour herself a large glass full, then took the bottle and glass and placed onto the coffee table as well.

As she took sips of the whiskey, she looked over the photos the detective had given her. She had suspected he was having an affair, and had figured it would be someone at the office, but she had never imagined that Marilyn Stone would be in the picture, or that there would be three women from the office.

She tossed the last photo onto the table and finished her drink. And as she poured herself another, she slowly started to smile as a plan for revenge started to form in her mind.

She knew just how to deal with Doug, and his women. All she needed was a little time and cooperation. And she would do anything to get both.