Read Online Blind Trust by Sandra Orchard - Free Book Online Page B

. . . to let them think she was giving them privacy. Verna had fallen asleep in her recliner, and since Brian was apparently fixing a water pipe, Kate hovered near the door where she could eavesdrop on the interrogation.
    To her surprise, Tom started by asking Lucetta about Verna. “Has she started any new medication that might explain the change in behavior?”
    â€œNo, señor, but Mr. Nagy, he’s worried she’s losing her memory.”
    â€œI believe I saw you purchase a tea yesterday afternoon that is supposed to help with that. Has it?”
    â€œNot so I’ve noticed. But I hope so soon. I don’t want her to go away.” Lucetta twisted the strings of her apron. “I need the work.”
    Kate couldn’t see Tom from her vantage point, but she could imagine him nodding in that encouraging way he had that was so effective at drawing people out.
    â€œI understand Mrs. Nagy gave you her tea set?” Tom said in a conciliatory tone.
    â€œYes.” Lucetta’s response was so soft, Kate scarcely heard it.
    Tom didn’t ask another question, and his silence seemed to make Lucetta even more nervous.
    After a long moment, she added, “I didn’t ask for it. I admired it, and she said I could have.” Lucetta didn’t lift her gaze from the floor.
    â€œYou admired it so much you had your nephew sell it?” Tom asked.
    That drew Lucetta’s gaze up. Her cheeks reddened. “You don’t understand, señor. Where I come from, my people are very poor. Each month I send as much money to my brothers and sisters as I can.”
    â€œHave you sold anything else of Mrs. Nagy’s?” Tom asked.
    Lucetta hung her head. “Nothing. Please don’t tell her I sold. I need this job.”
    â€œYour nephew made change on the payment with a counterfeit bill. Do you know how he might have gotten it?”
    Lucetta’s face paled. “No, señor. I don’t.”
    Kate couldn’t see her eyes, but her voice sounded frightened. Was she covering up for her nephew, herself, or—Brian stormed down the hall—maybe her boss?

5
    The sun had just dipped behind the houses as Tom pulled out of the Nagy driveway half an hour after Kate excused herself from her neighbor’s home. When he didn’t pull into her place, she dialed his cell phone.
    â€œYou’re leaving?” Kate let her disappointment sound in her voice.
    â€œI got the impression you wouldn’t want to see me.”
    She fell into the sound of his warm chuckle, but his brake lights didn’t tap on. When it became clear he wasn’t turning around, she let the curtain fall back into place. “I wanted to know if my neighbor’s son or housekeeper is guilty of counterfeiting.”
    â€œThat makes two of us. But I honestly don’t know.”
    â€œYou must have a suspicion.”
    â€œBrian claims he supplies his mother with eight fifty-dollar bills from her pension check at the start of each month. She could have gotten the smaller bills as change from anyone from the paperboy to the grocery clerk.” He sighed, sounding utterly drained. “Lock your door and get some rest. I have someapologizing to do to my nephews for bailing on their party. We’ll talk after church tomorrow.”
    â€œWait. Did you talk to Peter?”
    â€œI haven’t tracked him down yet. But don’t worry, I’ll let you know when I do.”
    At the sound of a car pulling to the curb outside her house, she smiled and swept back the curtains. A silver Ford Escort parked in front of her neighbor’s house across the street.
    Tamping down her silly disappointment that it wasn’t Tom, she grabbed the phone book. She could do better than wait for Tom to find Peter. She’d call every hotel in the Niagara region if need be. She was through waiting for another one of Peter’s creepy calls. She’d find out what he knew once and for