Read Online Death Tidies Up by Barbara Colley - Free Book Online Page B

thought his reaction was a bit odd, she explained. “I submitted a bid for the cleanup and won the contract. We’re scheduled to start early tomorrow morning, so after work today, I went over there to look things over.”
    â€œSo Roussel and his bunch are finally done there.”
    Charlotte nodded, puzzled by his contemptuous tone.
    â€œWell, that’s a relief! I say good riddance to bad rubbish.”
    â€œI—I’m afraid I don’t understand.”
    â€œWhat’s to understand? That whole crew is nothing but a bunch of thugs and troublemakers. Most of them have rap sheets as long as your arm. And Roussel and that delinquent son of his are the worst of the lot. They’re nothing but trash, Charlotte. Does Judith know about this contract of yours?”
    Charlotte slowly shook her head. “Why, no. But I don’t make a habit of checking out my clients with my niece,” she replied curtly.
    â€œWell, maybe you should, especially considering your recent track record.”
    Every defensive bone in Charlotte’s body stiffened. “If you’re referring to the Dubuissons, you can—”
    Louis raised his hands. “Sorry! Guess that was a pretty cheap shot.”
    Charlotte narrowed her eyes. “Yes, it was,” she snapped.
    â€œHey—I said I was sorry. But seriously, Charlotte—” He lowered his hands to the table and leaned closer. “You really shouldn’t be dealing with the likes of Roussel.”
    â€œBut he seemed like such a nice man,” she stressed.
    His lips tightened into a grim line. “Well, he’s not. But you don’t have to take my word for it. Ask Judith. She’ll tell you the same thing.”
    â€œOh, no,” she whispered, as a sinking feeling settled in the pit of her stomach. “Poor Cheré.”
    Noting Louis’ bewildered look, she explained. “Cheré Warner is one of my employees—a bright young woman working her way through school. Anyway—she’s been seeing young Todd. It was through her connections that I knew about the bids going out for the cleanup to begin with.”
    â€œWell, she couldn’t be too bright if she’s hooked up with Todd Roussel.”
    â€œI’ll have you know that she’s a lovely girl. She’s dependable, smart, and has—”
    â€œOkay, okay. I get the picture. But if you care so much about this Cheré person, you’d better warn her to steer clear of the Roussels. We’re talking Mafia ties here—the kind of men that nice girls run from if they know what’s good for them. And believe me, Vince Roussel is in up to his eyeballs. We’ve never been able to prove anything—not and make it stick—but we’ve been after Vince for years.”
    â€œBut just because you believe the father is shady,” she argued, “that doesn’t necessarily mean that the son is part of it.”
    â€œNot just shady, Charlotte. Corrupt! Through and through. As for his son, he’s nothing but a rich-boy hoodlum. He already has a juvy record. And if you ask me, I say a rotten apple never falls too far from the tree.”
    â€œGuilt by association,” she challenged.
    â€œWell,” he drawled, “you know the old saying about birds of a feather.”
    â€œThat’s ridiculous. Todd can’t help what his father is.”
    â€œNo—no, he can’t, but there’s another saying too, something about children learning what they live.”
    Charlotte didn’t want to believe it, didn’t want to think that Cheré would have such poor judgment in men. But she was a realist too, and she knew that even the brightest, most intelligent women were sometimes fooled into falling for the wrong men.
    â€œCharlotte, all I’m saying is that your friend needs to be warned. If you really care about her, just urge her to be cautious.”
    Charlotte nodded, but during the