Read Doubting Thomas (Tarnished Saints Series) for Free Online

again and don’t make the same mistake twice.”
    “Really?” asked Angel, finally getting the information she wanted. “Well, matter of fact, I think I took that road last night by mistake.
    “Well, you’re lucky that madman didn’t shoot you,” growled Clarence.
    “I did hear a gunshot,” remarked Angel casually, playing with her fork. “Right after I stopped when I saw that little boy in the middle of the road.”
    “Heavens to Betsy,” said Agnes, refilling Angel’s water glass and placing it on the table in front of her. “I swear, if I didn’t think he’d come after me if he found out, I’d call Child Protective Services and turn him in. The best thing would be for someone to come collect those poor kids from Thomas Taylor.”
    “So is he an abusive father?” she questioned, trying to sound casual.
    “Abusive isn’t the word for it,” gasped Agnes. “Those kids are always full of scrapes and bruises whenever I see them on the road.”
    “That doesn’t sound like anything out of the ordinary.” Angel got up and carried her empty plate to the sink. “Every kid gets scrapes and bruises. Did you ever see him hit or hurt any of his children?”
    “Well, no,” said Agnes.
    “Any fool can see what’s going on there,” added Clarence.
    “What do you mean?” asked Angel.
    “Those poor kids are malnourished,” said Agnes. “They’re so skinny. I’ve often tried to send bakery over after his second wife’s death, but he would never take it.”
    “How did his wife die?” Angel rinsed her plate in the sink, glancing back to see odd expressions on the old couple’s faces.
    “Well, his first wife died from cancer,” said Agnes.
    “What about his second wife?” Angel asked.
    Silence. Agnes and Clarence looked at each other, then as if she could hold back no longer, Agnes reported, “She was murdered! Shot right through the heart.”
    Clarence snorted behind the paper. “Everyone knows he killed her.”
    “Now don’t say that,” scolded Agnes glancing at her husband and then at Angel nervously. “Clarence, you know he was proclaimed innocent.”
    Angel thought it wasn’t good business for them to be talking about such things, but the Ainsleys seemed to like gossip. She needed the information, so she didn’t stop them.
    “Why do you think he murdered his wife, Mr. Ainsley?” Their last comments took Angel’s interest. “Is this Mr. Taylor someone who’s dangerous or mentally ill?”
    “Any man who has all those kids and refuses any help to raise them has got to be a little odd.” Clarence put down his paper when he spoke.
    “Good morning,” came Gabby’s sleepy little voice from the bottom of the steps.
    Gabby stood there, fully dressed, hair brushed, and looking very tired. Angel wondered just how long she’d been standing there or just how much she’d heard.
    “Oh, is she adorable,” cooed Agnes, hurrying to her and ushering her to the table. “Now tell me honey, are you hungry? Would you like to have some juice? I’ve got orange juice, cranberry, grape, apple - ”
    Angel kissed her daughter on the head and excused herself while the Ainsleys busied themselves trying to please Gabby.
    “You stay here till I get back, Gabby. Don’t cause any trouble.”
    “Okay, Mommy. Have a nice jog.”
    Angel stepped out into the bright sunshine and also the blessed silence. After hearing Agnes and Clarence ramble on, she wasn’t sure how relaxing this vacation was going to be after all. She needed to talk to them more about Thomas Taylor, but figured it could wait till later. Then she’d find out who else knows the man, and ask them questions as well before she tried to talk to his kids.
    She started down the Ainsley’s half-mile country road driveway, careful not to go anywhere near the road she’d taken by accident last night. She didn’t need anyone shooting guns at her, and she certainly didn’t need Thomas Taylor mad at her before she’d had a chance to approach