Read Online A Family Affair: Spring: Truth in Lies, Book 2 by Mary Campisi - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Mary Campisi
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They brought in that social worker last year and I thought she was real helpful.”
“I suppose we could have a plant sale and put the proceeds toward the cost of the speaker.” This from Mimi. “Even a bake sale would help. Ramona,” she turned to the woman with the solemn expression and said, “maybe we could coax you into baking a few dozen sweet rolls?”
“And I’ll make pizzelles,” Pop piped in. “But if we want to raise serious money, we need the help of a professional.” He grinned and extended a hand in Christine’s direction. “This little lady knows all about raising money and she’s going to teach us how to do it.”
***
The most valuable lesson Gloria learned from her father-in-law, Randolph Blacksworth, was to employ the element of surprise whenever possible. It worked in battles fought on the field, in the boardroom, and in life. For this reason, Gloria did not announce her impending arrival in Magdalena. Rather, on a sunny Tuesday in early June, she drove her black Mercedes sedan through the streets of the small town and straight to ND Manufacturing. She didn’t expect to find Christine there. She did, however, expect to locate her target: Nathan Desantro, Christine’s husband. If Gloria had any say in the matter or could manipulate the situation to her satisfaction, the man would not possess that title much longer.
Gloria parked her car in the truck-filled lot and entered the low, squat building. She’d never been inside a factory, and while there was no distinct odor to the place, she wrinkled her nose. What would Charles have said if she’d made the trip while he was alive? Would he have begged her to leave, promising to end his relationship with Magdalena and everyone associated with it? Or would he have stood beside that woman and their child and told Gloria he wanted a divorce? She couldn’t say, even now after his death, and that was why she’d never entered Magdalena while Charles was alive.
But now he was dead and Christine had married the mistress’s son and practically disowned her mother. It had to stop, no matter what methods need be employed, and Gloria was quite good at inventing ways to get what she wanted. It was ultimately for Christine’s own good. Mothers always knew what was best for their children, and it was a mother’s duty to steer the child back onto the right track, especially if said child had gone astray—which Christine had.
The Desantro man was the key. She’d read enough about him in Lester Conroy’s report to know he was fiercely loyal, proud, hard-working, loved his sister and apparently Christine. Damn to the last one. Maybe Lester was wrong? Just because he saw a couple holding hands did not mean love. Or kissing or cooking a meal together. But the man usually had a keen sense about these things, so it might be true. Even if love were involved, Nathan Desantro was a hothead with trust issues, and Gloria would make those work to her advantage.
“Ma’am, can I help you?”
A thin woman with tight curls and cat-eye glasses peered at Gloria from across the receptionist window as though she’d just spotted a lioness and couldn’t put a name to it.
“Yes.” Gloria advanced toward the window and offered a smile in the woman’s direction. “I’m looking for Nathan Desantro. Is he available?”
“I don’t know. I can check.” She lifted the receiver on the phone and paused, her small face a wrinkle of confusion. “Who should I say is calling?”
“Gloria Blacksworth. His mother-in-law.”
***
Nate had been working on a machine that went down on second shift when Betty called to tell him his mother-in-law was waiting for him in the lobby. For a half second, he thought Jack Finnegan was playing a joke on him as he did now and again, but the nervousness in Betty’s voice told him this was no prank.
What the hell did Gloria Blacksworth want with him? Did Christine know her mother was in town? He bet she didn’t, and if he had
“I suppose we could have a plant sale and put the proceeds toward the cost of the speaker.” This from Mimi. “Even a bake sale would help. Ramona,” she turned to the woman with the solemn expression and said, “maybe we could coax you into baking a few dozen sweet rolls?”
“And I’ll make pizzelles,” Pop piped in. “But if we want to raise serious money, we need the help of a professional.” He grinned and extended a hand in Christine’s direction. “This little lady knows all about raising money and she’s going to teach us how to do it.”
***
The most valuable lesson Gloria learned from her father-in-law, Randolph Blacksworth, was to employ the element of surprise whenever possible. It worked in battles fought on the field, in the boardroom, and in life. For this reason, Gloria did not announce her impending arrival in Magdalena. Rather, on a sunny Tuesday in early June, she drove her black Mercedes sedan through the streets of the small town and straight to ND Manufacturing. She didn’t expect to find Christine there. She did, however, expect to locate her target: Nathan Desantro, Christine’s husband. If Gloria had any say in the matter or could manipulate the situation to her satisfaction, the man would not possess that title much longer.
Gloria parked her car in the truck-filled lot and entered the low, squat building. She’d never been inside a factory, and while there was no distinct odor to the place, she wrinkled her nose. What would Charles have said if she’d made the trip while he was alive? Would he have begged her to leave, promising to end his relationship with Magdalena and everyone associated with it? Or would he have stood beside that woman and their child and told Gloria he wanted a divorce? She couldn’t say, even now after his death, and that was why she’d never entered Magdalena while Charles was alive.
But now he was dead and Christine had married the mistress’s son and practically disowned her mother. It had to stop, no matter what methods need be employed, and Gloria was quite good at inventing ways to get what she wanted. It was ultimately for Christine’s own good. Mothers always knew what was best for their children, and it was a mother’s duty to steer the child back onto the right track, especially if said child had gone astray—which Christine had.
The Desantro man was the key. She’d read enough about him in Lester Conroy’s report to know he was fiercely loyal, proud, hard-working, loved his sister and apparently Christine. Damn to the last one. Maybe Lester was wrong? Just because he saw a couple holding hands did not mean love. Or kissing or cooking a meal together. But the man usually had a keen sense about these things, so it might be true. Even if love were involved, Nathan Desantro was a hothead with trust issues, and Gloria would make those work to her advantage.
“Ma’am, can I help you?”
A thin woman with tight curls and cat-eye glasses peered at Gloria from across the receptionist window as though she’d just spotted a lioness and couldn’t put a name to it.
“Yes.” Gloria advanced toward the window and offered a smile in the woman’s direction. “I’m looking for Nathan Desantro. Is he available?”
“I don’t know. I can check.” She lifted the receiver on the phone and paused, her small face a wrinkle of confusion. “Who should I say is calling?”
“Gloria Blacksworth. His mother-in-law.”
***
Nate had been working on a machine that went down on second shift when Betty called to tell him his mother-in-law was waiting for him in the lobby. For a half second, he thought Jack Finnegan was playing a joke on him as he did now and again, but the nervousness in Betty’s voice told him this was no prank.
What the hell did Gloria Blacksworth want with him? Did Christine know her mother was in town? He bet she didn’t, and if he had
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