Read Online Disappearing Nine Patch (A Harriet Truman/Loose Threads Mystery Book 9) by Arlene Sachitano - Free Book Online

predicament.”
    The Threads who knew about the tire slashing interrupted her for a moment to explain the situation to those who didn’t.
    “Okay to continue?” she asked finally, and everyone stopped talking. “I think I’d like to talk to Juana’s social worker tomorrow. First of all, she needs to attempt to counsel the woman about her behavior. But second, I’d like to suggest that they find her something to do at the shelter workshop as an alternative to us pressing criminal charges against her. I know they lost a contract, but I think they’ll make an exception.”
    Aunt Beth sighed.
    “Oh, honey, that’s a brilliant solution. I don’t want them to take her to jail, but she can’t be left to do who-knows-what else if they don’t do something .”
    “While I’m talking to the social worker, I’ll ask if they can put any sort of tracker on Juana. I know that sort of device is available for dementia patients. Maybe they could put something in her purse so they can tell if she’s headed out your way.”
    Harriet nudged her aunt.
    “I’d still park in the garage,” she said in a quiet tone.
    “I would, but my door clicker doesn’t work anymore,” Beth replied.
    Lauren leaned in from Beth’s other side.
    “I’ll come over and check it out. You might just need a new battery. Will you be home later?”
    Beth agreed she would as the rest of the group went back to debating the border vs. no border issue then eventually left to begin the rest of their Sunday.

 

Chapter 8
    Harriet was feeling pleased with herself. The Honda dealership had called to see if she was going to need a ride in the courtesy shuttle they provided. She was able to leave her car and get a ride to Aunt Beth’s early enough to try out the new coffee cake recipe that had just come out of her oven.
    “What are you doing here so early?” Beth asked.
    She explained the change in plans and settled at her aunt’s kitchen table.
    “I’m guessing Lauren got your garage door fixed, since I don’t see your car.”
    “It was crazy. She brought a can of lubricant and sprayed it on those rail things the door rolls into. All of a sudden, my door opener worked.”
    Harriet smiled.
    “She’s a technical wizard, that one. I’m assuming Jorge put your spare tire on last night. If not I better go out and do that.”
    “Of course he did. And you shouldn’t make fun of Lauren,” Beth scolded. “She’s very handy, and you know I like to keep things in working order.”
    “She can take it. And since when did you start closing your garage door?” Harriet took a forkfull of coffee cake. “This is really good.”
    “I’m learning from Jorge. Everything’s better with butter, according to him.”
    “He may be on to something.”
    “Speaking of being on to something, do you have any ideas about Molly’s problem?”
    “Not really. It’s on my list today to check in with Lauren and see if she’s been able to find anything out about Leo Tabor. He’s that guy that was run out of town for being a sex predator right after Amber disappeared.”
    “I think that would be barking up the wrong tree.”
    “Why do you say that?”
    “He worked at The Vitamin Factory for Avanell. Well, not directly for Avanell, but she knew him.”
    Avanell was Aiden’s mom and Aunt Beth’s best friend next to Mavis. She’d died the previous year.
    “So, what did she say about him?”
    Aunt Beth rubbed her finger up and down over the curve of her teacup handle.
    “She couldn’t exactly say anything, being that he worked at her company and anything he might have revealed to her would have been confidential.”
    “Okaaay.” Harriet drew the word out. “What did she say to make you think he didn’t have anything to do with Amber?”
    “She said she couldn’t tell me what had really gone on with him, but things were not what they seemed regarding his sexual predator conviction. He told her how it came about, and she believed him. She said there was