Read Online The Newlyweds by Elizabeth Bevarly - Free Book Online Page A

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    Leslie smiled back sadly, something that told Bridget her mother had picked up on her unspoken assurances. Nevertheless, she turned her own hand to weave her fingers with Bridget’s. “You might be fine,” she said, “but I’ll still be worried about you.”
    The waiter returned with their appetizer then, relieving the tension that had threatened to descend on the trio. Bridget used the opportunity to change the subject, turning it to one of her mother’s favorite topics. “So what else can you tell me about everything that’s been going on at Children’s Connection?” she asked.
    Leslie sighed heavily as she reached for a cracker to scoop up some of the hot artichoke dip. “You’re probably privy to more information than I have been,” she said. “The FBI won’t tell us much of anything that they’ve learned from the investigation so far. I should probably be asking you the same question.”
    â€œI wish I could tell you more, Mom,” Bridget said, “but there are certain things the Bureau wants to keep quiet for now, for reasons of security. And although I’ve been informed of the particulars about the illegal activities and such, I don’t know what kind of toll it’s taking on the people involved, since I haven’t actually interviewed anyone and won’t, thanks to being undercover. So how’s the mood at Children’s Connection right now?”
    Leslie’s expression grew melancholy. “Not good, I’m afraid,” she said. “It’s been hard on everyone, from the housekeeping staff to the board of directors. Whoever’s doing this could be working in any department, in any capacity. No one wants to believe that. It’s terrible to think that someone we’ve all come to trust and like could be doing something so heinous as stealing and selling babies, and deliberately sabotaging people’s desires to create a family. But the FBI tells us they’re convinced the ringleader must be someone who works inside, and that all the things that have happened are related.”
    â€œYou don’t think so, though?” Bridget asked.
    She herself was trying to keep an open mind, though from what she’d gleaned so far from the investigation, it appeared the FBI was right. There had been enough breaches of security to warrant a close look at the employees, and maybe even some of the clients.
    â€œI don’t want to think it could be someone inside,” Leslie hedged. “It just doesn’t seem possible. We striveso hard to hire good people. And the organization does so much good. I just can’t believe so much…” She paused, obviously struggling to find the right word. What she finally settled on, though, was, “so much…badness has come about lately. It just doesn’t seem fair.”
    Bridget nodded. “Well, whoever’s behind it, Mom, we’ll find them. And then Children’s Connection can go back to doing good work again.”
    â€œI just hope we’ll be able to. The terrible press we’ve received over the last several months has really hurt the organization. And after all we’ve done over the years, creating so many families, finding homes for so many children. I’d hate to think something like this would put an end to all that good work.”
    Jillian added, “Mom’s right—it’s affected everyone, and not in a good way at all. You’d like to think something like this would bind people together, but a lot of the employees are looking over their shoulders, wondering if the person working next to them is involved in illegal activities. Some people have already quit to look for work elsewhere, because they’re sure this is the end of Children’s Connection, and they want to get out while the getting’s good.
    â€œAnd some of the families who’ve been coming to us for counseling