Deadly Accusations Read Online Free PDF Page B

Jasmine had been? Sooner or later, he’d hear about their altercation on the M10; probably ask questions she wouldn’t feel great about answering.
    â€œEisler’s called a mandatory meeting for everyone at four-thirty,” Stan said. “Marie’s exempt because she’s looking after Jasmine’s son and won’t be in for a couple days.”
    â€œJeremy won’t be with the father?”
    â€œI hear he’s an alcoholic who had some visiting rights, but who knows?” Stan clicked the mouse. “Uh, I’ve got a lot to do, so . . .” He stared at the monitor.
    â€œSure.” She headed for the door. “I’ll finish my reports.”
    â€œLet supervisors tell their people, okay? It wouldn’t seem right coming from staff.”
    â€œNo problem.”
    Casey stepped outside and leaned against the wall. Her legs were too shaky to make it back to her chair. She took a deep breath, inhaling through her nose and out the same way, just like her yoga tape had taught. This time, there was no calmness. Lunch hour was nearly over. The accounting people would be traipsing in here any moment.
    Shuffling back to her desk, Casey wondered if she should call Marie. After Lou’s revelation last night, Marie was her least favorite person, right now. Still, she should at least offer condolences. Casey made the call and heard Marie’s trembling voice.
    â€œStan just told me what happened, and I’m sorry, Marie. I know you and Jasmine were close.” Casey listened to some nose blowing. “He said the preschool called you?”
    â€œI was doing laundry,” she mumbled. “The phone rang and a woman said something had happened to Jeremy’s mother, and could I pick Jeremy up? It was so surreal.”
    An accounting employee strolled into the room. Casey turned away. “Why would they call you?”
    â€œI’m the emergency contact person on Jeremy’s registration form.” She blew her nose again. “He’ll miss her so much. Jasmine was a wonderful mother.”
    A wonderful mom and a church-going woman who baked cookies? This wasn’t the Jasmine that Casey had known. “Stan said that someone saw a van leave the scene.”
    â€œAnother parent showed up early. It was so awful. Her head . . .” Marie’s voice cracked. “Destroyed.”
    Casey inhaled sharply. “She was shot in the head?”
    â€œYeah.” She sniffed. “There was blood running down the door and bits of . . .” Marie choked back a sob.
    â€œOh no, you saw her? Did you have to identify the body?”
    â€œNo, the tarp on the car wasn’t fastened down, and the wind lifted it.”
    â€œOh, Marie.”
    â€œWhat am I supposed to say when Jeremy wakes up for his nap and asks for her? He’s only two, for shit’s sake.”
    She wished she knew the answer. “If there’s anything I can do, let me know.”
    â€œCould you take some of Jasmine’s pets? She has—had—a lot. Wanted to be a vet.”
    â€œActually, Summer’s dog has the run of the house and he doesn’t play well with others. What about the SPCA ?”
    â€œThey’re swamped. Can’t you keep the smaller ones a few days until I find them homes? They’ll be in cages.”
    â€œThey aren’t lizards or snakes, by any chance?”
    â€œGerbils, hamsters, and guinea pigs. I’ll take her cat and dog.”
    Casey propped her elbows on the desk. “I don’t have any experience with rodents.”
    â€œAll you do is feed and water them, which her landlord’s doing until we get them. I’ll let you know when.” She hung up. No thank you, or goodbye, or thanks for phoning.
    Stan stepped out of his office, his face still flushed and grim. “I’d like everyone’s attention,” he called out. “Could you all come down here a