Sam Mullins

And this is how Ron and Elaine came to be directors of Davis's corporation, co-owners of an apartment with Davis, and proprietors of a TV repair business.

So as they reached December of 1992, they were completely committed to the Davis relationship. And with the business and flat, Canada seemed to be nudged into the future further than they'd originally planned. it was obvious that Davis wanted to keep them around, which is why what happened next was so shocking.

So as they reached December of 1992, they were completely committed to the Davis relationship. And with the business and flat, Canada seemed to be nudged into the future further than they'd originally planned. it was obvious that Davis wanted to keep them around, which is why what happened next was so shocking.

At the end of a whirlwind year, Elaine and Ron became close enough with Davis and his daughter, Noelle, that the four of them got together for Christmas. They gave Noelle a hug, and as the house steeped in the smells of turkey in the oven, the four of them sat down in the lounge.

At the end of a whirlwind year, Elaine and Ron became close enough with Davis and his daughter, Noelle, that the four of them got together for Christmas. They gave Noelle a hug, and as the house steeped in the smells of turkey in the oven, the four of them sat down in the lounge.

If you go to Canada by the end of February?

If you go to Canada by the end of February?

For Elaine, this wasn't a thrilling development. The whole idea was that they were going to save up enough of a nest egg to make the international move as smooth as possible. And after a year of Davis pulling them closer and closer in embrace, this felt like a sudden shove out the door.

For Elaine, this wasn't a thrilling development. The whole idea was that they were going to save up enough of a nest egg to make the international move as smooth as possible. And after a year of Davis pulling them closer and closer in embrace, this felt like a sudden shove out the door.

What is with the haste?

What is with the haste?

As Elaine sat trying not to be a Christmas bummer, she kept thinking. The end of February felt so quick and oddly specific. Why was the date imposed by him? Merry Christmas, you need to leave all you've ever known in the next 60 days? Why? Why? Why? I find myself thinking of this scene, though, often. About the four of them sitting around that table for Christmas dinner.

As Elaine sat trying not to be a Christmas bummer, she kept thinking. The end of February felt so quick and oddly specific. Why was the date imposed by him? Merry Christmas, you need to leave all you've ever known in the next 60 days? Why? Why? Why? I find myself thinking of this scene, though, often. About the four of them sitting around that table for Christmas dinner.

These four souls whose lives would be completely blown up in the next few years. There's Ron, feeling elated. Davis, pleased. Elaine, pushing her food around her plate, trying to mask her panic. And Noelle. Noelle is the one I wonder about the most. How did she feel as she sat there knowing why they needed Ron and Elaine gone? They were bound for Canada. They were bound for ruin.

These four souls whose lives would be completely blown up in the next few years. There's Ron, feeling elated. Davis, pleased. Elaine, pushing her food around her plate, trying to mask her panic. And Noelle. Noelle is the one I wonder about the most. How did she feel as she sat there knowing why they needed Ron and Elaine gone? They were bound for Canada. They were bound for ruin.

Coming up on Sea of Lies...

Coming up on Sea of Lies...

Sea of Lies is produced by What's the Story Sounds for CBC. It's hosted and written by me, Sam Mullins, and produced and reported by Alex Gatenby. Mixing and sound design is by Ivan Eastley. From What's the Story Sounds, our executive producers are David Waters and Daryl Brown. At CBC Podcasts, the senior producers are Andrew Friesen and Damon Fairless. Eunice Kim is our story editor.

Sea of Lies is produced by What's the Story Sounds for CBC. It's hosted and written by me, Sam Mullins, and produced and reported by Alex Gatenby. Mixing and sound design is by Ivan Eastley. From What's the Story Sounds, our executive producers are David Waters and Daryl Brown. At CBC Podcasts, the senior producers are Andrew Friesen and Damon Fairless. Eunice Kim is our story editor.

Emily Connell is our digital coordinating producer. Executive producers are Cecil Fernandez and Chris Oak. Senior manager is Tanya Springer. And the director of CBC Podcasts is Arif Noorami.