That's an interesting thought--tell 'em about the wife, in case you accidentally say her name, but tell 'em she's dead. Hmmm!
Gary Condit came close--telling certain people that his wife was "sickly".
Your mention of Condit made me think about that fast spreading rumor of his wife not having thumbs! Was it ever determined how that started?
Also, remember how Anne Marie Smith was put through the ringer, such as Amber is now?