Read Online Bad Samaritan by Aimée Thurlo - Free Book Online Page A

quietly. “Despite her vow of silence she was always there for us whenever it mattered most. She has such a loving nature.”
    â€œI miss her, too,” Sister Bernarda admitted. “We’re a family, and being separated from any of the other sisters makes everything twice as hard. I think once we’re all in the same place things will settle down, and we’ll adapt. Agnus Dei will be a good place to live, too. Their monastery is involved in a mail order crafts business called Heavenly Goods. It sound like fun work. They have everything from woodworking to quilting.”
    â€œWhen it becomes ‘our’ monastery instead of ‘their’ monastery, that’s when we’ll know we’re really home,” Sister Agatha said gently, wondering if it would ever feel that way to her.
    â€œI need a favor,” Sister Agatha added, as they pulled into the parking lot beside Smitty’s Grocery Emporium. “Can you help me get Smitty to myself for a few minutes? He’s always busy, but I need to speak to him privately.”
    â€œI’ll do my best. What kind of information are you looking for?”
    â€œSmitty knows a transient they call Scout who lives in the bosque,” Sister Agatha explained. “I’m hoping Smitty can suggest a few places where I might find Scout and, more importantly, give me an idea of how to approach without scaring him off. When Chuck and I tried to talk to Scout before, he took off like a jackrabbit.”
    â€œThe homeless are often . . . damaged people. If he doesn’t want to talk to you, you can’t really force it,” Sister Bernarda said.
    â€œStill, I have to find a way. There’s no telling what he saw the day of the murder. Finding a witness may be the only way we have of clearing the sheriff.”
    â€œEven if Scout told you precisely what you wanted to hear, you’d still have to find someone who could corroborate his story,” Sister Bernarda said. “A person like that is rarely a credible witness. If you can’t even get him to talk to you, imagine how he’d be with the police or on a witness stand.”
    â€œYou’re right,” Sister Agatha admitted grudgingly. “Still, even if no one else believes him, it’s possible he’ll be able to give me a lead I can follow. At the moment, he’s the only shot I’ve got. The Garcias certainly don’t want to cooperate. In fact, they’ve made it clear they’ll do all they can to get in my way.”
    As Sister Bernarda turned off the engine, the Antichrysler backfired loudly. An elderly man carrying groceries to his car nearly dropped his bag. Apologizing as they climbed out of the car, Sister Agatha and Sister Bernarda made sure he was all right, then entered the large grocery store.
    Smitty’s office was in the back, and, walking down the first aisle, they headed directly there. Sister Agatha knocked on Smitty’s open door.
    Smitty, a tall, slender, bald-headed man in his early sixties, looked up from his computer and smiled broadly. “I’ve neverbeen so happy to get an interruption!” he said. “My bookkeeper’s on vacation, and I’m trying to keep our accounts updated. Unfortunately, I can’t understand her instructions.” He gestured toward a spiral notebook with a long list of commands and keystrokes. “Bring back the adding machines, please!”
    â€œI wish I could help,” Sister Agatha said.
    Smitty regarded her for several seconds, his kind blue eyes narrowing. “Ah, but you’re the one who needs help. I recognize that look on your face. What’s up?”
    â€œWhile you two are busy talking, do you mind if I pick up a few things, Smitty?” Sister Bernarda asked him. “Like some green chiles?”
    â€œGo ahead, Sister Bernarda,” he answered. “Just give me a list so I can enter it in the