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.”“Let me guess, for some reason you couldn’t remember the password.” Lydia narrow-eyed her partner.“You promised there’d be no drink—”“You really think this is a good idea now?” Marsha flung a glare at me.“And for the record, I’m not drinking.”It sounded like the car accident wasn’t the only thing encouraging Marsha to head for the ledge.Perfect exit time.“I need to go set up the store.” I had a particular set up in mind so the attendees had plenty of space to shop and we didn’t encroach into the cropping space.Plus, I didn’t want to be a party to the drama between Marsha and Lydia.I had one potential drama to stop, and listening to them was keeping me from helping Bob find the identity thief.The hotel manager walked toward us.“Ms.Clement, I need to speak with you about the retreat account.”“Do you mind if we go somewhere private?” Lydia smiled at the man.“Croppers have already arrived.I’d rather not discuss business in front of them.”The man bounced the back of a clipboard off his palm.“For now, no.I also need to check on the catering for dinner; we can talk in the kitchen area.The kitchen staff won’t arrive for another two hours.”For now? My interested piqued.No.No.No.Sometimes I wished I could turn my questioning brain off.I had a criminal to find and I didn’t need to add Lydia’s financial woes onto my list of items to worry about.Of course, her financial troubles might affect Scrap This and might be the result of the thief having found a victim.I’d let Bob know.He could work on that angle.He had sources and ways to get financial information.Lydia elbowed Marsha.“Finalize the seating chart while I talk with the manager.”Marsha stepped away and rubbed at her side.She watched her business partner and the hotel manager walk away.“I told her I was.Some people hate letting go of any amount of control.”“With this being the first retreat you all are putting on, I can see why she’s a little jumpy.” I glanced up and down the hallway.“I saw your abandoned car…”Marsha played with the ends of damp hair.“How do you know it was my car?”“A friend looked at the registration.I gathered up a few items that had fallen onto the road.”“Thanks.Did you get everything out?”I shook my head.“My friend and I were afraid to stay there long.Our trailer was creating some rubbernecking.”“Thanks for grabbing what you did.I’ll go get the rest of the stuff right now.I’m sure it’s important.”“If you need some help…” I trailed off as Marsha already headed for the door.I couldn’t help but wonder how long it would take Marsha to realize she needed a ride to her car.Oh well, if a partner couldn’t loan you a car, who could?FOUR“Faith, I need a favor.I need your room.” Bob jumped right into his request.No finagling.No sweet talk.So, the brothers shared some characteristics.“My room?”“Yes.Your room.” Bob glanced around then drew me to his side.“I have strong reasons to believe the woman I’m looking for will be attending this event.”“She’s not the accident victim?”“Still don’t know.At least that’s what I heard from my sources in the ER.They’ll call me if that changes.I have to operate like they’re separate people.”“What does the thief look like?”A pained expression crossed Bob’s face.“Not sure exactly as she has as many appearances as she does names.”“What makes you think this woman will show up here?”“I’ve told you more than I should already.The resort is booked.I need to stay here.Can I have your room?”“You should tell Lydia and Marsha what’s going on.I’m sure they can get you in.”Bob shook his head.“The less people who know, the better.After three months, it looks like I’ve finally caught up to her.Once I know it’s her, I’ll notify law enforcement.I can’t have her run again.”A metal clang caught my attention.I watched a vendor wrestle a large luggage cart through the doors.The boxes had labels of a well-loved stamp company, and clear boxes were filled with patterned paper.Croppers used these products to turn their stories into fully embellished pages showcasing their lives for their family, friends, and others scrappers to enjoy.Lives were being displayed this weekend.Names.Hometowns.Families.Anxiety rippled through me.Crop retreats were a time for women to let loose and have a weekend focusing on a hobby they enjoy.We had to find out who this woman was before someone at the retreat had their life snatched away and used.Bob touched my elbow, drawing my attention back to him.“Your room?”“Where would I stay?”“With Steve.You have a room.He has a room.If you guys room together then it frees up a room for me.”I narrowed my eyes.“How do you know Steve and I have separate rooms?”Bob shrugged and offered a sheepish smile.Ted had a big mouth.And so did I for hinting around the status of my relationship when Ted asked how things were going with Steve.I should’ve stuck with “none of your dang business.” I wanted to get advice, yet didn’t want to get advice from Ted, as it seemed like a betrayal.I had little option for whom to confide in as Ted was the only other person – besides me and Adam – who knew about my previous marriage.“From what I know, Steve is a standup guy.” Bob patted my shoulder.“I’m sure he’ll behave himself.All the rooms have two double beds.”“How am I going to explain this to him? He’ll need to know what’s going on.” I crossed my arms and tilted my chin up.“Fine, you can tell Steve.We’ll just go have a chat with the clerk and settle this matter.” Bob draped an arm around my shoulder and led me into the hotel.It might be settled for Bob, but it would be the beginning for me.I still had to explain the situation to Steve.I had to make sure Steve understood why I needed to get involved.He didn’t approve of my ventures into sleuthing, but this time was different.I wasn’t trying to outwit a murderer, interfere in a police investigation, nor would I hide my involvement [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
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.”“Let me guess, for some reason you couldn’t remember the password.” Lydia narrow-eyed her partner.“You promised there’d be no drink—”“You really think this is a good idea now?” Marsha flung a glare at me.“And for the record, I’m not drinking.”It sounded like the car accident wasn’t the only thing encouraging Marsha to head for the ledge.Perfect exit time.“I need to go set up the store.” I had a particular set up in mind so the attendees had plenty of space to shop and we didn’t encroach into the cropping space.Plus, I didn’t want to be a party to the drama between Marsha and Lydia.I had one potential drama to stop, and listening to them was keeping me from helping Bob find the identity thief.The hotel manager walked toward us.“Ms.Clement, I need to speak with you about the retreat account.”“Do you mind if we go somewhere private?” Lydia smiled at the man.“Croppers have already arrived.I’d rather not discuss business in front of them.”The man bounced the back of a clipboard off his palm.“For now, no.I also need to check on the catering for dinner; we can talk in the kitchen area.The kitchen staff won’t arrive for another two hours.”For now? My interested piqued.No.No.No.Sometimes I wished I could turn my questioning brain off.I had a criminal to find and I didn’t need to add Lydia’s financial woes onto my list of items to worry about.Of course, her financial troubles might affect Scrap This and might be the result of the thief having found a victim.I’d let Bob know.He could work on that angle.He had sources and ways to get financial information.Lydia elbowed Marsha.“Finalize the seating chart while I talk with the manager.”Marsha stepped away and rubbed at her side.She watched her business partner and the hotel manager walk away.“I told her I was.Some people hate letting go of any amount of control.”“With this being the first retreat you all are putting on, I can see why she’s a little jumpy.” I glanced up and down the hallway.“I saw your abandoned car…”Marsha played with the ends of damp hair.“How do you know it was my car?”“A friend looked at the registration.I gathered up a few items that had fallen onto the road.”“Thanks.Did you get everything out?”I shook my head.“My friend and I were afraid to stay there long.Our trailer was creating some rubbernecking.”“Thanks for grabbing what you did.I’ll go get the rest of the stuff right now.I’m sure it’s important.”“If you need some help…” I trailed off as Marsha already headed for the door.I couldn’t help but wonder how long it would take Marsha to realize she needed a ride to her car.Oh well, if a partner couldn’t loan you a car, who could?FOUR“Faith, I need a favor.I need your room.” Bob jumped right into his request.No finagling.No sweet talk.So, the brothers shared some characteristics.“My room?”“Yes.Your room.” Bob glanced around then drew me to his side.“I have strong reasons to believe the woman I’m looking for will be attending this event.”“She’s not the accident victim?”“Still don’t know.At least that’s what I heard from my sources in the ER.They’ll call me if that changes.I have to operate like they’re separate people.”“What does the thief look like?”A pained expression crossed Bob’s face.“Not sure exactly as she has as many appearances as she does names.”“What makes you think this woman will show up here?”“I’ve told you more than I should already.The resort is booked.I need to stay here.Can I have your room?”“You should tell Lydia and Marsha what’s going on.I’m sure they can get you in.”Bob shook his head.“The less people who know, the better.After three months, it looks like I’ve finally caught up to her.Once I know it’s her, I’ll notify law enforcement.I can’t have her run again.”A metal clang caught my attention.I watched a vendor wrestle a large luggage cart through the doors.The boxes had labels of a well-loved stamp company, and clear boxes were filled with patterned paper.Croppers used these products to turn their stories into fully embellished pages showcasing their lives for their family, friends, and others scrappers to enjoy.Lives were being displayed this weekend.Names.Hometowns.Families.Anxiety rippled through me.Crop retreats were a time for women to let loose and have a weekend focusing on a hobby they enjoy.We had to find out who this woman was before someone at the retreat had their life snatched away and used.Bob touched my elbow, drawing my attention back to him.“Your room?”“Where would I stay?”“With Steve.You have a room.He has a room.If you guys room together then it frees up a room for me.”I narrowed my eyes.“How do you know Steve and I have separate rooms?”Bob shrugged and offered a sheepish smile.Ted had a big mouth.And so did I for hinting around the status of my relationship when Ted asked how things were going with Steve.I should’ve stuck with “none of your dang business.” I wanted to get advice, yet didn’t want to get advice from Ted, as it seemed like a betrayal.I had little option for whom to confide in as Ted was the only other person – besides me and Adam – who knew about my previous marriage.“From what I know, Steve is a standup guy.” Bob patted my shoulder.“I’m sure he’ll behave himself.All the rooms have two double beds.”“How am I going to explain this to him? He’ll need to know what’s going on.” I crossed my arms and tilted my chin up.“Fine, you can tell Steve.We’ll just go have a chat with the clerk and settle this matter.” Bob draped an arm around my shoulder and led me into the hotel.It might be settled for Bob, but it would be the beginning for me.I still had to explain the situation to Steve.I had to make sure Steve understood why I needed to get involved.He didn’t approve of my ventures into sleuthing, but this time was different.I wasn’t trying to outwit a murderer, interfere in a police investigation, nor would I hide my involvement [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]