Blind Trust Read Online Free PDF Page A

rumors. Tom had caused enough of those by hauling her into the police station during the investigation into her friend’s death. That move had almost cost her the funding for her research. It was a wonder she still talked to him.
    Tom nodded to Beth, the very pregnant owner behind the cash register—a friend of Kate’s who was clearly flustered by the fuss—then strode toward the group crowded around a table and tapped Herbert’s shoulder.
    â€œI’d like to go on record,” Tom announced.
    The onlookers gasped.
    Herbert spun around, his look of surprise instantly transforming to pleasure. He poised his pencil over his pad. “Yes, yes. Go ahead.”
    â€œSeveral of our residents have been victims of an unknown counterfeiter and may have inadvertently passed phony bills on to others. The police are asking anyone with information, or anyone who has received suspicious bills, to please contact us.”
    A round-faced woman he didn’t recognize spoke up. “I heard Kate Adams tried to pass a phony hundred at the grocery store.”
    â€œAnd you are?”
    The woman shrank back.
    Typical. “The fact is, Miss Adams attempted to pay for a small amount of groceries with several ten -dollar bills. We investigated and are convinced that she too was a victim of this counterfeiter.”
    A flat-nosed soldier-type snorted. “Probably helps that she’s dating a cop.”
    Yeah, I wish. Tom clenched his teeth and managed to refrain from glaring at the guy.
    â€œNonsense,” blurted Mrs. C, the one woman present who could silence the crowd with a single word, having taught grade school to the majority of them in her forty-year career. If only she could convince Kate such talk was nonsense. Then maybe she would date him. “I’m the treasurer for the Women’s Missionary Circle at my church. Even we’ve had a couple of phony bills in our donation basket in the last month or so.”
    â€œDoesn’t Adams go to your church?” the cynic countered.
    â€œShe does, but not the mission meetings. They’re during the day, when she’s working.”
    But Verna Nagy attended those meetings. Tom bit back the urge to confirm as much in front of everyone. His more immediate concern was why the guy with the brush cut had it infor Kate. His whiny voice didn’t match the rasp of her caller, but Tom didn’t recognize him from church either.
    His stomach pinched. So how’d the guy know Kate attended church, or that they might be dating?
    Tom scanned the rest of the shop and noted a vaguely familiar farmer-type guy—plaid shirt, leathered face, diesel-stained fingers—reading a paper by the stone fireplace in the corner. When their eyes met, the man immediately raised his newspaper, hiding his face from view.
    Tom’s internal radar spiked. The guy didn’t fit Kate’s businessman description of the caller, but he wasn’t a regular either. Tom moved to the counter. “You know the guy in the corner by the fireplace?” he whispered to the owner.
    Beth glanced briefly at the man. “He’s been in here a few times. Drinks his coffee black and likes my blueberry muffins.”
    â€œA fairly new customer then?”
    â€œHe’s been around a few weeks, maybe more.”
    Tom discreetly hitched his thumb toward the cynic. “What about the other guy?”
    â€œVic Lawton? He’s harmless. His wife took the receptionist job at the newspaper when he lost his. I think seeing her boss here got him kind of riled.” Beth shrugged. “You know how hard it can be on a guy’s ego when his wife makes the money.”
    Yeah, but Tom didn’t appreciate Vic taking out his frustration by badmouthing Kate. “One more thing. Has anyone tried passing off phony bills in here?”
    â€œNot that I’ve noticed. Thank goodness!”
    A Latina woman approached the counter. “Mr. Nagy sent me to