Read Online Grace Cries Uncle by Julie Hyzy - Free Book Online Page B

little bit.
    â€œI’ll talk with you later, then,” I said.
    â€œVery nice to make your acquaintance, Ms. Wheaton,” Krol said. “I hope we meet again.”
    *   *   *
    Frances didn’t require my assistance, but I wasn’t surprised to discover Bennett’s fib.
    â€œHe probably doesn’t want you to know what he’s planning for you,” Frances said when I explained his odd behavior.
    â€œI think there’s something else going on. I can’t put my finger on why, but Bennett seemed extremely bothered by the fact that this Krol and I were talking.”
    â€œYou have a knack for figuring things out. Of course the Mister would be upset. A little bit of digging on your part and you’ll spoil his fun.”
    â€œIf that’s true, then Krol would have known who I was. He didn’t seem to have ever heard of me before.”
    â€œOh, ho,” Frances said, pushing herself back in her chair and affecting a haughty air. “Aren’t we a little full of ourselves?”
    â€œYou know what I mean. Whether I like it or not, Bennett tells everyone about my role here. Which is why the DNA isn’t much of a secret anymore. Bennett has a very tough time keeping things to himself.”
    â€œYou are right about that. And you say this guy’s card didn’t have much information?”
    â€œA phone number. And I don’t even have that information to trace because Bennett plucked the card out of my hands.”
    â€œDo you remember the area code at least?”
    I closed my eyes and did my best to envision it. “I think it was either four-one-five, or four-one-nine. But I can’t be certain.”
    Frances had taken a while to warm up to the idea of using computers but now surpassed me with her speed at Internet searching. She tapped her keyboard. “Marin County, California, or”—more tapping—“Toledo, Ohio.” Glancing over at me, she got a gleam in her eyes. “You could always ask your friend Ronny Tooney to find out more about this guy for you. How many Australian Malcolm Krols could there be?”
    â€œTempting though it is, I can’t. If Bennett wants to keep secrets, I need to respect his privacy. Using Tooney to investigate—when Bennett pays his salary—seems very wrong.”
    â€œHave it your way.” The glint in her eyes dimmed.
    As I crossed into my office, I heard her mutter, “Goody Two-shoes.”

Chapter 9

    Bruce and Scott were watching television in the living room. I was in parlor, about to shut my book and call it quits for the night, when the doorbell rang.
    I glanced at the clock on the mantel; it was a few minutes before ten. Bootsie had been asleep on my lap prior to the interruption. Now we were both on our way to find out who was visiting at this late hour.
    Bruce reached the front door a couple of steps ahead of me. “Are you expecting anyone?”
    â€œI left a message with Rodriguez and Flynn this afternoon,” I said. “Maybe they decided to stop by?”
    The look on his face let me know that he didn’t believe that scenario to be likely, either.
    â€œCheck first,” I warned.
    Bruce flipped on the porch light and peered out. “It’s a woman,” he whispered.
    Scott came around to join us. “Maybe it’s another Fed?”
    Bruce swung open the door. “Can we help you?”
    She was slim, wearing distressed blue jeans and a darknavy pea coat. Her fluffy red scarf was decorative, rather than sturdy, and her cowboy boots were covered in snow.
    â€œHi,” she said, focusing her attention on me, “are you Grace?”
    â€œDo I know you?”
    She had golden hair that fell to her shoulders and heavy, straight bangs. With hollow cheeks, big eyes, and a heart-shaped face that ended at a rather narrow chin, she was more gaunt than pretty.
    â€œNo, not yet.” She laughed. “My name is Nina