Read Sarah Woods Mystery Series (Volume 3) for Free Online Page A

on Carter being in Florida that evening.
     
    When I got back to the room, Max and Jennifer had migrated from the kitchen table to the couch, each on separate ends, but facing each other. By their serious and thoughtful expressions, I got the sense they'd been having a heart to heart conversation.
    “So?” Max jumped up to greet me. “How'd it go with Brook?”
    “She wants to hire me to look into something for her. Nothing serious. Should only take a few days.”
    Max eyed me cautiously. “She wants you to work on your vacation?”
    “I don't mind. It'll give me something to do while you're working.”
    “When do you start?”
    “Carter is flying down tonight and we should have the job done within a few days.”
    He gave me a sideward glance. “Carter is getting involved, too? Where is he gonna stay?”
    “Another empty unit on the sixth floor.”
    Max shook his head in disbelief. “Brook is paying you, I hope.”
    “Yeah,” I said, deciding not to divulge the amount.
    Jennifer collected her purse and stood up. “Hey guys? I'm gonna head out. You two need to discuss things in private. And besides, I should try and get a nap in.”
    Max and I both walked her to the door. She hugged each of us and said, “I really appreciate you guys letting me hang out here. I feel much better.”
    “Everything is gonna be all right,” Max told her. “Just hang in there, okay? And, if you need a reference for a new job, feel free to use me.”
    “Thank you.”
    “Hey, by the way,” I said, before she made her exit. “Have you ever met Dennis's daughter, Angela?”
    She stopped to look at me with raised eyebrows. “No, I never have. Why do you ask?”
    “No reason. Brook just happened to mention that Dennis had a daughter. Did he ever talk about her?”
    “No. Andrew was the one who told me that she lives in town, but doesn't come around much. She and Dennis had a falling out. Sorry, wish I could tell you more.”
    “No, no,” I said. “That's okay. Not a big deal.”
     
    After Jennifer left, Max kissed me on the cheek and retired to the bedroom for a nap.
    I checked my watch. I only had an hour until I was scheduled to meet Brook at her penthouse. There was still much to do in preparation. I opened my laptop and took residence on the balcony lounge chair. It was a beautiful, sunny day with a refreshing breeze. The waves on the beach were enormous, crashing down with such velocity that the sound carried up to the 15th floor. I should have been lounging next to the pool with an umbrella drink in my hand. Instead, I was hunched over a computer, conducting research on Brook Foster.
    Her maiden name was Morris. She was born in 1978 in Atlanta, Georgia. Her parents were working class folks; her mother was a teacher, and her father worked for a candy manufacturer. Brook graduated high school, but seemed to have had no further education. She had odd jobs throughout her twenties working as a waitress, a receptionist at a spa, and even a telemarketer. Then in 2011, she got a job with the Fosters as a live-in maid, where she worked for two and a half years, until Mrs. Foster passed away.
    There wasn't much else I could find on Brook. No arrests, no prior marriages, not even a Facebook page. However, I did find a newspaper article about her engagement to Dennis.
    At quarter to four I closed up the laptop, went down to the lobby to print out some papers, then headed back up to the penthouse.

Chapter 6
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Brook ushered me into her apartment and locked the door behind us. She offered me a drink, but I kindly declined. I noticed a fat envelope on the counter, where she invited me to have a seat. She must have assumed I'd take the job, and she was right.
    “I spoke with Carter and he'll be here by this evening,” I said.
    Brook let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Sarah. This means a lot to me.” She handed over the envelope. “Here's your money. If you need more for expenses, please let me know.”
    I