James Siegel

From the author of ‘Derailed’.
Paul Breidbart is the actuary; he and his wife, Joanna, want nothing more than to have a child. They have been trying to conceive for years, without success. When they open their hearts to the possibility of adoption they find that the quickest way to be matched with a child is to travel to Colombia. Travel — and life — in Colombia is fraught with danger, yet everything happens on schedule. They receive a baby girl who is perfect in every way. The adoption proceeds without any problem. That is, until the Breidbarts leave their new infant daughter alone for a few hours with their new nanny.

Advertising director Charles Schine is just another New York commuter, regularly catching the 8.43 to work. But the day he misses his train is the day that changes his life. Catching the 9.05 instead, he can’t help but be drawn by the sight of the person opposite. Charles has never cheated on his wife in eighteen years of marriage. But then Charles has never met anyone like Lucinda Harris before. Charming, beautiful and a seductively good listener, Charles finds himself instantly attracted. And though Lucinda is married too, it is immediately apparent that the feeling is mutual. Their journeys into work become lunch dates, which become cocktails and eventually lead to a rented room in a seedy hotel. They both know the risks they are taking, but not in their worst nightmares could they foresee what is to follow.