Fatal Impulse: A Widow's Web Novel Read Online Free PDF

be puffy like that. But her eyes were dry, so dry they burned. She gestured towards the telephone and said, “Thank you for doing this. I really appreciate it.”
    Jennie flipped the notebook closed, then kept her hand on top of it, fingers splayed. “It’s the least I can do. I hope you don’t mind. When I left your house yesterday, I thought about all that you have on your mind, and you don't need to worry about this stuff.” She swiveled in the chair, then pushed to her feet with an exhausted sigh.
    “You’re right. I haven’t had time . . .” As Andi's voice trailed off, Martha cleared her throat. The three women stood there, the silence buzzing around them.
    Andi motioned to the ski trip picture, "Do you know how to get in touch with Chad's friends from college?"
    Jennie nodded and said, “Doctor kept his contacts in his agenda. I'd be glad to send them a letter if you'd like.”
    Andi nodded and looked around the office. Thoughts tumbled in her brain, disconnected. Chad handled everything himself. He'd kept all aspects of the business close to the vest. But now, he was gone. And she would have to pick up the pieces.
    “Jennie, I know this puts you in a tough position, but can you help wrap things up with the practice? And, of course, I’ll do anything I can to help you get another job.”
    “I know. And I appreciate that. I don't what I'm going to do." The last word rose into a whine. She sucked in a shaky breath and closed her eyes for a beat, then produced two business cards. "I went ahead and called our accountant and corporate lawyer. I’m sure they’ll be in touch.”
    Andi nodded and rubbed her thumb across the embossed cards. The familiarity in Jennie's voice rubbed her the wrong way, and from the look on her mother's face, it irritated her, too.
    She touched her mother's arm. "Come on, Mama. We've got a lot to do."
    Martha lowered her chin and stared at the busty blonde for a beat, then turned and marched out of the room with Andi in tow.
    As they drove north towards home, Andi considered telling her mother that she suspected Chad of having a fling with his receptionist. She couldn't even elevate it to an affair in her mind. Chad laughed and denied it when she asked him about it, but the thought nagged at her. Still, she didn't want to say it out loud. Saying the words made it seem real, tangible. Besides, her mother hadn't liked Chad and would never let her hear the end of it.
    At least the girl would take care of things at the office, which Andi couldn't handle on her own. The practice needed to be closed and the business wrapped up. Maybe there’d be a little money in it.
    Money.
    Her blood ran cold. She hadn't worked since she waitressed at Pizza Hut back in Missouri. No work experience. No degree. Who would hire her? How would she survive? She swallowed hard. Perhaps it would be possible to sell the business, maybe to a new dentist moving in. Dana would know about that. Andi missed her best friend. She couldn't wait to talk to her.
    Just as it had throughout the day, fear niggled at Andi, taunting her. For the hundredth time, she closed her eyes and watched her husband topple into the ocean. Surely it had been an accident. She wanted to believe that, but felt guilty that she'd wished him gone many times.
    Martha’s voice roused her from her reverie. As they turned into the subdivision, Martha said, “She seems like a nice girl.”
    Andi nodded. “She is.” She stepped on the brakes and signaled as they neared the white, two-story house.
    Her mother sighed heavily. “She seems very close to Chad.”
    “She is,” Andi repeated.
    “Do you think he was ever unfaithful to you?” Mama glanced at her, then added, “It just seems that he spent a lot of late nights at the office, and she’s a pretty girl.”
    “She is.” Andi turned into the concrete driveway and stopped in front of the double garage, “And I would be lying if I said I never suspected anything. But it doesn’t matter