Chapter 12 More Home Videos

Chris nodded, obviously not surprised that this investigation might be turned over to the FBI. He glanced at me, then looked back at the two detectives."You mentioned gambling just now, and David mentioned losing money on a NASCAR race in the video. Is there more evidence of gambling? Is that what he did with the money?"

Mike took a moment before he replied. "We are still piecing things together, obviously, since there is a lot of information to sort through and we're still collecting evidence to examine.Based on a number of videos saved to David's laptop, we have reason to believe that gambling played a major role in the beginning, and the problem grew over time."

"So, you're saying he was addicted to gambling?" I asked.

Mike frowned, looking toward James as if wanting guidance.James cleared his throat a little and answered for him."We aren't sure if it was an addiction to gambling, or if the gambling was simply the means to an end for him.Addicts typically get to the point that they can't stop, even if they're on a losing streak.They double-down at the blackjack table - even though they're down to the last few chips - hoping that the next spin will get them the win they're desperate for."He paused and appeared to be gathering his thoughts.

"David was more methodical from what we can tell. If he was on a losing streak at blackjack, he stopped and would play poker, for example, or would try his luck again a few days later. He didn't seem to be frantic or desperate when he lost, as most addicts are.The videos show that he was angry or frustrated with his losses, but not to the extent we would expect from a true gambling addict. If anything, I would say he was addicted to money. David wanted money. He used your money to gamble to try to win more money. I think it was sheer greed."

Chris looked at me to gauge my reaction, and I gave him a sad smile. "That wasn't the David I knew, at least in the beginning. The part about David wanting money was certainly true in the last few years at least."

I shared with them some of the thoughts I'd had during the search of the garage - the arguments we'd had over money, the comments he'd made at times, the extravagant purchases. I told them about his childhood, his mom's health and lack of medical care, and how I thought that had shaped his thought processes about money.By the time I finished speaking, both Mike and James were nodding thoughtfully.

Mike said, "That actually answers some of the questions we had while watching the videos."At my questioning look, he explained what he meant.

"There were mentions of things in passing, usually between David and Scott, that we had no frame of reference for.There was one video where David makes mention of their mom's death.He said something like 'it shouldn't have happened like that.She shouldn't have had to make that choice'. We had no idea what he was talking about, but now I think he meant that she shouldn't have had to choose between taking care of her family and paying to see a doctor."

"Lila, I think it would help us if you would watch the videos.You can likely provide context for some of the things they discuss, and that kind of explanation would be invaluable to us.Would you be willing to do that?"

"Of course," I replied without hesitation.

Chris touched my arm and said quietly, "Hon, I know you want to help, but you need to think about it.Those videos are probably full of some pretty ugly things, if the one we saw earlier is any indication.You've been so upset - for months now - and I don't want this to do you more harm than has already been done."

"I get that, and I know you're looking out for me.But I need to know what he did, and why he did it." I stopped and took a deep breath, willing the pain away.

"He drugged me, Chris. He said he gave me sleeping pills to get me to do things and sign things and God knows what else. Is that why I lost the baby? He didn't even care that I had lost our baby. He was just afraid he would get caught and was pissed because he would have to be careful drugging me again. He said he was trying to drive me crazy.I need to know what he was talking about.I need to know what was going on, because right now, I feel like I'm going crazy!" My voice was cracking by this point, and I was crying again, after I'd sworn I was done letting David make me cry.

Chris grabbed my hand and squeezed it as Sherry handed me a tissue.James looked at me, his sympathy for me clearly written on his face."That was something else we wondered about.What was he talking about when he mentioned a trip, and you were surprised when he showed you tickets that you'd bought?"

I was too upset to talk for a minute, so Sherry spoke up for me."I can answer that.I had gotten a text from Lila, or from her phone at least, telling me about a trip to Las Vegas that she'd booked for Scott and David, for Scott's birthday.I was kind of surprised about it. I mean, she and Scott tolerated each other, but they didn't really get along.She told me how excited they were and said something about us getting together while they were gone." She paused, trying to remember the details.

"A few days later - maybe a week or so - we were all having dinner together, and I mentioned it so we could plan what we would do that day.Lila didn't know what I was talking about.I thought she was kidding around, but she seriously didn't know."

I nodded, shaking my head in disgust at what had actually happened."I thought I was losing my mind.I'd been forgetful for a while.I kept losing things, or David would mention something that I had no idea about, then insist we had talked about it already.A couple of times, he asked about things that I didn't remember telling him." I stopped for a second."Oh my God, I had worked from home that day because the heat was out in our office building, and he probably saw me on his camera. That asshole! I knew I hadn't talked to him about it that afternoon, but he insisted that I had," I muttered to myself, fuming over his lies.

I looked around to see the four of them looking at me questioningly."OK, a few weeks or so after I returned to work after the miscarriage, I had to work from home one day.One of the authors was accused of plagiarizing part of her book which had just hit the best-seller list.The agent I work for had been notified of the lawsuit first thing that morning, so I had spent most of the day documenting our author's research notes and the dates that she'd submitted her drafts and edits, so that we could present it all to our company's attorney.David knew all about it when he got home and said I had told him when he'd called me that afternoon. I hadn't remembered him calling that day, and he got really upset. He told me I had been doing that a lot lately, and he insisted that I go the doctor about it.He went with me, and told the doctor all kinds of stuff, most of which I didn't remember.That's when I went on the anti-depressant and anxiety meds for a while and started seeing a therapist."

Sherry smacked her hand down on the table."That miserable son-of-a-bitch was gaslighting you!" She was furious, and Chris wasn't too far behind."He told me how worried he was about you, and fed me all kinds of bullshit about forgetting everything, and crying at all hours and barely talking when it was just the two of you.He said you got super defensive and denied it whenever he tried to talk to you about it, and he was worried sick. When I tried to talk to you about it, you had the same reaction, and I believed him!"

She turned a stricken look toward me, "I'm so sorry, Lila.You denied it because it wasn't true, didn't you?And I believed him.God, I could just kill him for this," she seethed.

Chris rubbed her arm to calm her down."I know you're mad, babe, but let's not threaten to kill people in front of two detectives, all right?"

I smothered a laugh as Sherry just glared at him, then turned an apologetic smile toward Mike and James."I'm sorry, I didn't mean that the way it sounded.I'm just really angry right now."

James gave her a slight grin and waved off her apology. "Don't worry, we didn't assume that was a confession." He looked at me and said, "I'd like you to take a look at those videos now, if you're up for it, Lila.I have them here on my tablet."

I exhaled shakily, and Chris suggested we take a quick break to eat lunch first."I don't want a repeat of Saturday night," he reminded everyone.Sherry offered to run to the kitchen to make some sandwiches, and Chris helped her while I made a quick trip to the restroom.I splashed some water on my face and tried to practice the deep breathing techniques the therapist had suggested for calming my anxiety. Of course, if my anxiety was the result of my loving husband and his twisted mind games, who knew if the techniques were really necessary or not.

I returned to the dining room as Chris placed a tray of sandwiches and chips down on the table. Sherry had a second tray filled with bottled drinks, cups, and the ice bucket.We ate quickly, then James cued up the next video, and placed the tablet in front of me. "These are the videos recorded here at the home office.I have the videos from his company office in a separate folder on here, but let's start with these. According to the video metadata, these videos are in chronological order. Just hit 'play' when you're ready."

Chris got up to look over my shoulder as Sherry scooted her chair closer to mine so she could see the screen as well.I forced myself to start the video and watched as the office came into view once again, with David resting his hip on the corner of his desk this time as Scott sat in the same chair as before. Scott was looking over some papers that David handed him and asking about bank deposits and invoices for furnace repairs.It sounded like Scott's role was to check for errors and make sure the invoices looked legitimate.Scott was cautioning David that invoices that large might cause some questions.

"We don't want anyone looking too closely at these, man. Are you sure you don't want to wait until next month to submit these?" David just scoffed, assuring him that nobody looks that closely when the boss lady has approved them. I assumed I was the 'boss lady' he referred to. "You gave her more pills after all, huh?" Scott asked. "Nope, didn't bother. Just forged her name and used her email account to send them in. I'm telling you, bro, they're fucking idiots over there." Scott and David both laughed at David's statements.

Scott got up to leave, then tossed what looked like a small baggie on the desk. "Here, for your party later. Boner pills guaranteed to keep you going all night.What's it gonna be...blonde, brunette or redhead? "

David tapped a finger against his chin, pretending to think. "Hmm, who said I have to choose? I'm thinking...Sampler Platter, a little of each."

Scott snickered. "You kinky fucker.Don't forget to wrap it, man.You don't want any nasty surprises you might have to explain." The video ended after David handed Scott an envelope, which he pocketed after taking a quick glance at what looked like a thick wad of cash inside.

I just stared at the table, revulsion crawling along my skin as I imagined what David had done that night with his skanky smorgasbord.I wondered what I had done that night instead, what lies he had told me whenever he'd gotten home.

I clicked on the next video down on the list and watched as they discussed a trip to the horse track just north of the city.David had apparently won big on a longshot.They went over more fake invoices, and Scott congratulated David on his cleverness with the name of a new fake company, All-In Handyman Services. "All-in...I see what you did there, smartass." Sherry looked at me and shrugged. "All-in is a gambling thing. I've heard it when he watches those poker tournaments on TV," I told her. She rolled her eyes and looked back at the screen. They talked about some woman Scott had hooked up with, and David offered some vulgar comments as the video ended.

The next video mentioned Vanessa, as David regaled Scott with the news of the hot new associate working under him. "And I plan to have her under me every chance I get. Or over me, I'm not picky." They both laughed like idiots, before Scott asked if he was worried I'd find out about her. "It's not like you've picked up some random slut who doesn't even know your real name. This chick will know you and will know that you're married. She'll probably run into Lila if she comes to to see you at the office. You need to be careful with this one, man. You don't shit where you eat, you know?"

David just laughed and told him to quit worrying. "I've been fucking other women for years, and Lila has never suspected a thing.I'm telling you, the woman is fucking clueless. She thinks I walk on water, bro."

I snorted at the irony of that claim. "You drowned David, so apparently you don't walk on water after all," I muttered under my breath. Sherry was sitting close enough to hear me, and she snickered and bumped me with her shoulder.

We continued to watch as they discussed the Vegas odds on a big fight that was coming up, and David informed Scott he had "50G" riding on it.

"He bet $50,000 on an MMA fight?" Sherry asked incredulously. "Un-fucking-believable!"

David went on to tell Scott how he had me convinced I was going crazy, recounting how he'd given me sleeping pills again and I'd woken up on the floor in the guest room. I remembered that morning. I'd been so disoriented, and it had taken me several moments to figure out I was in the guest room.I had remembered going to bed the night before but had zero recollection beyond that.

We took a quick break before watching the rest.I desperately need some caffeine and Tylenol to help with the tension headache that was starting to form.I went to the kitchen and grabbed a Diet Pepsi, then popped a couple of Tylenol from the travel-sized bottle I kept in my purse.I returned to the dining room with my drink and took my seat again.

"Ready for more?" Chris asked.