McGrath: It seems pretty clear he's protecting the lady. And maybe also they are both trying to avoid hurting the husband/best friend.

True, but that doesn't bear on Ebbie's notion. Hubbie may have found out and, without letting on he knew, set out to frame our singer, figuring he'd chose death over betraying his paramour. It's especially crafty, since in this scenario our lady's secret is already known to hubbie--but they don't know that!