He tapped his finger on the desk for emphasis.

“While we are delaying, we must gather undeniable, ironclad proof of his affair with Kayla.”

“Why?” I asked.

“Because when we finally present our counter-petition, we will name Kayla Jensen and cite his adultery as the sole cause of the breakdown,” Jerome said. “The probate court will see it. The executor will see it. And the clause will be triggered.”

I looked out the window.

A gray cloud was passing over the tall glass buildings across the street.

“How do we keep him from guessing what we are doing?” I asked.

“You play the victim,” Jerome said simply.

I looked back at him.

“He expects you to be devastated,” Jerome continued. “He expects you to beg, to cry, and to be too broken to fight back.”

“He already thinks he’s won,” Rachel muttered.

“Exactly,” Jerome said. “Let him keep thinking that. If you act destroyed, his guard will drop. He will become careless.”

“He’s already careless,” I said, thinking of the hotel receipts I had found in his jacket.