Read Bead of Doubt for Free Online

what did he do this time?” Flora was well aware of all of Sean’s secret rendezvous with women, and his late alimony payments.
    “I. . .” I took the money out of my pocket. “I went over there to get some of my clothes from the attic, and when he went to get them I saw this money on the floor. And. . .uh. . .I took it.” I handed the money to Flora. “I took it because he owes me so much back alimony.”
    Flora separated the bills.
    “You are worried about eight dollars?” Flora held the money up. “It’s eight dollars. Who cares?”
    Damn! Eight dollars?
    “I know, but I still feel bad. I need you to put it under your mattress. Far away from me.” I shielded my eyes. I had to be dramatic so she’d believe me and leave the room so I could do some searching.
    “Eight dollars?” She questioned me with a curious look.
    I nodded, and frowned.
    “Okay.” She walked back to her bedroom.
    Quickly I searched her purse sitting on the table, the kitchen, the family room, and actually looked under her couch.
    When I heard her footsteps, I laid my head on the floor.
    “I did it.” She stopped standing over top me. “What are you doing?”
    “I was feeling faint from my crime.” I laid my hand over my head. “I think I need to lie down.”
    “You are lying down.” She confirmed.
    “No, I mean on your bed.” I jumped up and walked to her room.
    “Fine.” She turned the bedroom light on. “Can I get you something? Water? A psychiatrist?”
    “Water. Water is good.” I ignored the bit about the shrink. How was I going to stop all the gossip? Flora would be on the phone as soon as I left, telling all the Divas how crazy I was acting.
    I jumped out of her bed and quickly looked around her room and bathroom. Luckily her phone rang and she answered it, so I knew it’d buy me some more time.
    I found everything from a drawer full of old cell phones to another one full of batteries. But there was no pouch. No yellow gem.
    I strolled out of the bedroom when I heard her coming back down the hall.
    “Here’s your water. What are you doing?” Flora asked with hesitation in her voice.
    “I’m feeling much better.” I said. “By the way, did you see anyone in the shop office when you took the Divas projects to the storage room?”
    “I saw Bernadine in there and the new girl.” Flora tapped her temples.
    “Marlene?” I asked.
    “No, the new girl. Not cougar.” Flora laughed.
    “Cheri?” I asked.
    “Yep, her!” Flora snapped her fingers. “Here’s your water.”
    She held the glass out to me.
    “Oh, thanks for listening. I don’t need it now.” I headed to the door. I turned around. Flora’s mouth as wide open. “Oh, keep the eight bucks. Consider it your fee for listening to me ramble.”
    I darted out the door before she could say anything else.
    Yep. I bet Flora was on the phone with one of the Divas before I made it out of her condo building, telling them how crazy I’m acting.
    If they only knew that the next Diva meeting just might be in a jail cell.

Chapter Eight
     
     
    Cheri would be my next stop and probably the easiest of all.
    I questioned myself on the drive over about Jim’s offer about the security cameras. I should’ve taken the free one month trial. Then I would’ve known who took the Spinet.
    I pulled up in front of the shop and parked the Focus. I walked around the building and climb up the metal stairs.
    I knocked on the apartment door.
    “Who’s there?” Cheri demanded on the other side of the door.
    “It’s me, Holly.” I said in a sweet tone. I had no idea how I was going to explain why I was there, but the last two excuses hadn’t failed me.
    “Holly? Is something wrong?” Cheri asked as I shivered in the falling snow. “Come in.”
    “I’m okay.” I said through my chattering teeth. With the sun going down, the temperature was dropping quickly. I vigorously rubbed my hands up and down my arms.
    “I just brewed some coffee. Would you like a cup?” She