Read Online Gypped by Carol Higgins Clark - Free Book Online

robes. Now I notice how hungry I am! That slice of toast at Zelda’s didn’t cut it.
    Regan decided to rest until room service arrived. She lay down on the side of the bed where Jack had slept, then turned her head so her cheek was resting on his pillow, breathing in his scent. I wish he were here.
    Her thoughts turned to Zelda. What she’s going through would be a lot easier if she had someone like Jack. Zelda has nice friends, and Norman certainly provides interesting companionship, but she has no one to really lean on. She’s pretty much on her own. To think just yesterday she found out that her father married someone he hasn’t known very long. Zelda was upset that he hadn’t talked to her first. I can’t imagine being in that position. Regan shuddered. It would never happen, she told herself. Then she laughed out loud. The thought of her father getting married in a drive-through chapel in Las Vegas was so absurd, it was funny. No, if my father ended up alone, it would be sad for both of us. I’d have to expect the unexpected, but certainly not that.
    Regan pulled the sheets under her chin. I’ll help Zelda as much as I can. I certainly hope that financial adviser is doing well by her. He wasn’t slick, but that doesn’t mean he’s honest. Maybe I should ask Zelda a few questions about her business affairs when I see her today. She’s worried enough about her father to have his new wife checked out, but I wonder what sheknows about the people working for her. I’m also interested to hear about her coaching.
    Suddenly Regan sat up. I hope the hotel staff doesn’t do a security check and open the trunk of the car! When the attendant drove off with it, the knife completely slipped my mind. I should have just dropped it off at the police station. I’ll do that on the way back to Zelda’s. I don’t have to wait for Jack. By the time he gets back here we’ll want to start our weekend. Besides, I’ve been in the police stations around here before. I did work in this town.
    Feeling restless, Regan brought her laptop over to the bed. She leaned against the headboard and started to research the Scrumps estate. Nothing came up. Is it owned by a trust? she wondered. If they’re not using it, why don’t they sell it? They have that whole block to themselves. There’s so much privacy. Maybe too much! The lingering question in the back of her mind surfaced again. What was someone doing in those woods with a knife like that?
    Her cell phone rang. It was her mother, Nora.
    “Hi, Mom.”
    “Regan, hi. Just thought I’d see how your trip was going so far.”
    “Well, it’s been a little unusual.”
    “Oh? I’m all ears.”
    “Remember when I was on that game show?” Regan began.
    “Of course I do. You missed out on the big money. Your consolation prizes, which provided you little consolation, were electric curlers you never used, and a dozen boxes of macaroni noodles.”
    “You have the memory of an elephant.”
    “It helps with my writing. So what about the game show?”
    “Someone I got friendly with those few days at the studio, her name is Zelda. . . .”
    “Wait, wasn’t she on after you?”
    “Yes.”
    “I remember. Don’t forget, we’ve played that tape more than once over the years.”
    “I know you love to embarrass me,” Regan said, her tone amused.
    “No, I don’t. The expression on your face when you lost was priceless. You looked like you wanted to strangle the woman who gave you that bad clue.”
    “I did want to strangle her. Anyway, I ran into Zelda yesterday.”
    Nora listened as Regan recounted the tale, interrupting only occasionally. “Eight million dollars? Not bad.”
    “Can you believe it?” Regan asked without waiting for an answer. She finished the story, leaving out the juicy bit about discovering a butcher knife in the woods.
    “Her father got married in the back of a taxi at a drive-through wedding chapel?” Nora blurted. Clearly she found this to be the most