Read Online Wiped Out by Barbara Colley - Free Book Online Page A

rushed over to her. “Are you okay?”
    Mimi shook her head again and blinked several times. “Don’t-don’t feel so good,” she said. “My head’s killing me—maybe a virus or something. Could you get me the aspirin? It’s in that cabinet by the refrigerator.”
    â€œMaybe you should cut the meeting short, either that or let someone else take over for you.”
    Mimi shook her head. “Can’t—still too much to do. Just get me the aspirin.”
    Seconds later, aspirin bottle in hand, Charlotte asked, “How many?” She twisted off the cap.
    â€œTwo—no, make that three.”
    Charlotte shook two out of the bottle, then paused. “Are you sure you want three?”
    Mimi glared at her. “I said three, didn’t I? Why would I say three if I didn’t mean three? Just give ’em to me.”
    â€œOkay, okay.” Charlotte shook out a third aspirin. “Here.”
    Mimi snatched up the tablets, popped them into her mouth, and washed them down with the water. When the glass was empty, she refilled it with more water, and drank all of the second glass as well.
    â€œMimi?” June entered the kitchen. “I’ve been looking for you,” she said.
    Mimi slammed the empty glass down on the cabinet and glared at June. “Well, you found me. What do you want?”
    June cast a sideways glance at Charlotte, then focused on Mimi again. “Are you okay?”
    â€œOkay! Okay?” Mimi’s voice rose. “Now just why wouldn’t I be okay? I’ve just been blindsided, outmaneuvered, and stabbed in the back.” She waved in the general direction of the parlor. “Thanks to Rita, Karen, and Doreen, I’m just hunky-dory. With friends like those three, I don’t need enemies. That’s for sure.”
    â€œHey, just calm down, now.”
    â€œI’ll calm down alright, but mark my words. Those three are history, and they’re going to live to regret this day—that’s a promise.”
    Â 
    Charlotte was straightening the dining room when the meeting finally broke up. She waited a few minutes to give the women time to clear out, then proceeded to the parlor. As she passed through the main hallway, she saw Mimi at the front door, and standing with her was Doreen Mires.
    From the glimpse she got, Charlotte thought Mimi looked even more ill than she had earlier in the kitchen. As Charlotte gathered the cups and saucers in the parlor, she heard Doreen tell Mimi, “I’m so sorry for what happened. I had nothing to do with what Rita and Karen did in there.”
    When Mimi said nothing in response, Doreen continued, her tone growing more fearful and desperate with each word. “I-I don’t know how to say this, but please-please don’t hold what happened against George—not because of me. We can’t afford for him to lose his job, and I swear I didn’t agree to be a part of any of that stuff.”
    â€œYeah, right, Doreen,” Mimi retorted. “If that’s true, then why did you volunteer with them to head up one of the committees?”
    â€œI-I—I’ll quit,” Doreen cried. “I’ll resign the committee and quit HHS if that’s what it takes.”
    â€œThat’s up to you, but—” Mimi suddenly closed her eyes and groaned.
    â€œAre you okay?”
    Mimi shook her head. “No, no I’m not, and I can’t discuss this right now. I’m sick. We’ll have to talk later.”
    When Charlotte heard the click of the front door, she picked up the tray of dirty dishes. As she stepped into the hallway, Mimi’s hand was still on the doorknob, her forehead resting against the door casing, and she heard her mumble something that sounded like, “Traitors. Two-faced traitors.”
    Then, with a dejected sigh, Mimi squared her shoulders and turned. When she saw Charlotte, she stiffened. “I-I’m