"I'm struggling with this," said Rob, saving me from speaking first. "We've had our differences over the years, but... Penelope's terrific, okay? She's really grown as a person, and she loves Juliet. She made a huge effort to get to know her. She'd never hurt her, or hurt us, like this."
Solomon and I exchanged glances. "What kinds of differences?" I asked.
"Robbie's here," said Juliet, just as Rob began to speak. She waved, stepping away from the window to cross to the door.
"Hey, Jules," said the boy, reaching up to hug her as he bounded in. He dropped his backpack on the floor and kicked off his sneakers before running over to his dad. "Mom said I had to show you my math homework. I got a B! I never got a B before!"
"That's great," said Rob, his eyes lighting up as Robbie dived onto the sofa. He slid off again almost immediately. "I left it in my backpack," he said, gliding across the room in his socked feet, barely noticing us in his excitement and glee.
"Did Robbie show you his homework? He worked really hard and practiced to get it right," called a woman, presumably, the boy's mother. Since I intended to interview her anyway, I hoped now would be a good time. It could also provide Juliet a few minutes to absorb the unpleasant information we just imparted.
I couldn't hide my shock as Penelope stepped into the room, stopping dead when she saw us. Despite her obvious surprise, she recovered quickly, plastering on her familiar, wide-mouthed smile. "Hi, Lexi. I didn't see your car outside. Hi, guys."
"Mom, where's my homework? I can't find it."
"Check the front pocket, honey," said Penelope.
I blinked, confused, as Robbie raided his backpack, finally emerging with a lined sheet of paper. One side was covered with childish handwriting. "Got it!" he said, looking up. All I could see in his face were Rob's features. The same slightly upturned nose, the full lips, the same eyes and hair. I wouldn't have identified him as Penelope's son. "Look Juliet. Did you see my B?"
Juliet brushed his hair affectionately. "Sure did. Well done!"
"You’re Robbie's mom?" I asked, recalling my comments about being moms together. No wonder Penelope got so annoyed when I mentioned Juliet being a mom; I didn't know I was talking about the same kid, her kid!
Penelope shrugged. "Yes, obviously!"
"I didn't realize." I exchanged another puzzled glance with Solomon. Why didn't this crucial piece of information ever come up in our many discussions? I didn't recall seeing anything about Rob's relationship with Penelope, not in Solomon’s or my research, and I felt sure it should have come up before now. If we missed this vital information, what else did we miss? It was a worrying thought and one I didn't look forward to addressing with Solomon.
Penelope looked at Delgado, then at Solomon before she said, "Juliet, can I speak to you privately for a moment?"
"Sure," Juliet replied, turning away from us, her features pinched despite the happy attitude she put on for Robbie’s sake. "Come to the kitchen."
Penelope followed Juliet, casting a backwards glance at us. She didn't look happy and I wished I could have been a fly on the wall to hear the discussion they were about to have. Solomon made a slight motion with his head as I caught his eye: follow them. Now that Rob was preoccupied with his son, I slipped out of the room, treading softly as I made my way along the hall to the kitchen.
"...not a good idea," I heard Penelope saying.
"I know. I agree. I'm not comfortable with Robbie staying overnight either, and I'm so sorry that it's messing with your social life..."
"Silly," cut in Penelope. "Don't you dare worry about my social life! You know I'm here for you. We all agreed that Robbie shouldn't stay over again until this thing with you gets all sorted out."
"I hope it's over soon. He'll only be here a couple hours; and I promise, Rob and I will not let him out of our sight. Please, Penelope, Rob will be so disappointed he can’t spend some time with Robbie. Me too."
"Sorry, but no. I just can't leave my son here, not with all those people in the house. It's just too crazy. What if those people have guns, and Robbie gets hurt? Your PI isn't that good. She didn't even know I'm Robbie's mom. What else has she missed? Look, don't answer that. It's not my business. Just think of him, Juliet, not yourself."
At the insult, I stuck my tongue out in the direction of the kitchen. It wasn't mature, no, but it was unseen and felt good, all the same.
"You're right. I'm being selfish. It's not Robbie's problem that I'm stuck in the house."
"Rob isn't stuck here," replied Penelope. "Perhaps Rob could take Robbie out? That would be okay with me. C'mon. You know you don't want them to miss out on their time together just because you're under house arrest."
Juliet sighed. "You’re right; Rob and Robbie shouldn't lose out because of me."
"Tell them that you suggested it. You'll be okay here with your PI girl and those big guys. They'll keep you safe and you don't have to worry about Rob or Robbie."
"Yeah." Juliet's voice sounded heavy and disappointed.
I backed away as footsteps headed for the kitchen door. Moments later, I slipped into the living room. I had barely enough time to lounge against the wall as if I'd only gotten up to stretch when Juliet and Penelope returned.
"Change of plan," said Juliet, with a smile that stopped far short of her eyes. "It's such a sunny day outside, why don't you take Robbie to the park, honey?"
Rob glanced up from the homework he previously enthused over. "Are you sure?"
"One hundred percent. It'll be so much nicer than staying in with our guests," she said, giving us a pointed glance. Rob swallowed and nodded, getting the gist instantly.
"I would like to stretch my legs," he said. "Why don't you go put on your sneakers, champ? Let’s go to the park."
"Are you coming too, Juliet?" Robbie asked.
Juliet shook her head quickly. "Not today. I have some things to do here with our guests."
Robbie darted across the floor and dropped onto his butt, pulling his sneakers on quickly as he glanced up at us. "Hi," he said, before turning to his father. "Can we get ice cream too, Dad?"
"Sure."
"I'll see you later," said Penelope, dropping a kiss on Juliet's cheek. "Bye, Lexi! Bye, guys!" She waved, smiling brilliantly as she moved towards the door with Robbie in tow. Rob gave Juliet a brief hug, whispered something in her ear, to which she nodded, and grabbed his jacket, following Robbie out the door.
Crossing to the window, I watched them climb into Penelope's car and take off.
"Is the park close?" I asked, wondering which one they planned to visit.
"End of the street. Robbie loves going there."
"It's nice of Penelope to give them a ride," I said, watching for Juliet's reaction. What did she think of her fiancé climbing into the car with his ex and son, as though they were still a family? As if Juliet weren't already feeling like a prisoner in her own home. I don't know what I expected, but it wasn't the simple shrug she gave me.
"I guess she's heading past the park," said Juliet. "She always helps out."