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The IT man nodded.ôI was upset, because of the hack, but also about the fact that since Valina had broken up with me there was this distance between us. This cold civility. I desperately wanted to see her. Let her know how I felt. So I went down to the office.ö

ôWhat time was this?ö asked Chase.

ôMidnight. Em had just gone to bed. IÆd told her IÆd sleep in the spare bedroom so I wouldnÆt wake her up. She had to get up early, you see. She was working in the morning, same as me, but also had to get the kids ready for school. Just after midnight I just couldnÆt take it anymore. I had to see Valina. So I headed down to the office, knowing sheÆd probably still be there. Only when I arrived, I discovered IÆd left my key card at homeùor at least I thought I had. So I phoned her.ö

ôValina.ö

ôBut she didnÆt pick up. I could see that the light in her office was on, so I figured she was still mad with me about the hack. I stuck around for a while.ö He hesitated, looking shamefaced now. ôLike some stupid schoolboy I even threw pebbles at her window, hoping sheÆd let me in. But there was no response, so then I decided I was acting like an idiot, got into my car and left. I ended up driving around for a while, then went home.ö

ôSo Emma lied when she said you were home all night.ö

ôShe wouldnÆt have known I left. I was careful not to make a sound.ö

ôWouldnÆt she have heard you taking the car out of the garage?ö

ôI parked the car on the street.ö

ôSo you knew you were going out again. YouÆd planned this out before.ö

He nodded, not meeting their eyes.ôI already told you. I felt this overpowering urge to talk to Valina without anyone else present. I thought if I could just see herùjust the two of usùmaybe things between us could be like before, you know.ö

Chase eyed the man with no sign of compassion.ôI think youÆre still lying, Norwell. I think you entered the building that night, and tried to patch things up with Valina. Maybe you got rough when she told you that it was over. And this time you killed her, placing that Cupid doll on her body to make it look as if a disgruntled client or investor had done it.ö

ôNo!ö said Norwell. ôI swear I would never hurt her. I loved her too much. Adored her. And now sheÆs goneà and IÆll never be able to hold her in my arms again.ö And at this point, the man broke down and started weeping like a child.

For a moment Chase was torn between placing handcuffs on the man, or handing him a tissue. Finally he opted for a tissue, and when we left the office, Norwell was still sobbing, the broken wreck of a man.

Chapter 19

ôI donÆt think IÆve ever seen a man cry like that, Max,ö said Dooley. ôI didnÆt even know that men could cry.ö

ôOf course men can cry,ö I said.

ôI thought they didnÆt have tear ducts. If you donÆt have tear ducts, you canÆt cry.ö

ôNow why wouldnÆt men have tear ducts?ö

Dooley shrugged.ôI just figure men are different, you know. Less sensitive.ö

ôMen might like to think that theyÆre impervious to the finer feelings, but theyÆre not,ö I said. ôJust look at Brutus. He was crying last night, wasnÆt he?ö

ôYes, but Brutus is not a man, heÆs a cat.ö

Now there was a sample of sound reasoning I couldnÆt argue with. When weÆd arrived home last night, well ahead of Harriet and Brutus, IÆd checked HarrietÆs tablet, and discovered that contrary to what sheÆd claimed, she hadnÆt canceled her Pettr account. On the contrary, I could tell that sheÆd been very active, chatting with severalpets that might be described as æboyfriend materialÆ by connoisseurs. When I subsequently told Brutus, his eyes had gone all moist, and more than one tear had flowed from his eyes.

ôBut why, Max!ö heÆd cried. ôWhy did she deceive me!ö

ôIÆm not sure,ö I said. ôThough her chats are all pretty innocuous if you ask me. Just your usual æHi, how are youÆ kind of stuff. Nothing too passionate or suspicious.ö

ôStill,ö he said quietly, and had then sort of slumped off, the picture of a broken cat.

ôPoor Brutus,ö said Dooley now. ôIt must be tough for him to know that Harriet is cheating on him with some other cat.ö

ôWe donÆt know that, Dooley,ö I said. ôAll we know for sure is that sheÆs on Pettr and has been chatting up a storm with several potential suitors.ö

ôMaybe sheÆs like Norwell: she feels Brutus is more like a friend than a boyfriend after all the time theyÆve been together. Like a warm blanket at night, you know, or a hot-water bottle, but not exactly the kind of lover that sets your heart and soul alight.ö

I frowned at my friend.ôPlease donÆt mention your æhot-water bottleÆ theory to Brutus. Unless you want to make him cry again.ö

ôOh, of course not. Though itÆs obvious we have to do something, Max. After all, if Harriet decides to get involved with another cat, things are going to get very awkward for all of us.ö