Halos Read Online Free PDF

“I’m going to open the station.” He went to the closet, pulled on a coat, and walked out.
    Dave pursed his lips. “If I had a cot to sleep on somewhere, I’d sure give her my room.”
    “Well, why don’t you?” Steve wiped the spill from the side of his cup and hand.
    “Because I don’t have a cot.”
    “There’s a couch.” Steve pointed to the navy plaid couch they’d all gone in on last summer.
    “I don’t think she’d feel comfortable with that. I sleep in my underwear.”
    More information than he needed. “Look, it’s silly to talk as though she’s going to be here any length of time.”
    Dave swirled the dish soap around the sink, then ran the hot water until it filled with suds.
    “I said she won’t be here any length of time, right?”
    “Where is she supposed to go?” Dave set each cup into the water.
    “Dave.” Steve drained his mug and brought it to the sink. “I’m not being heartless here. I just think there are better solutions.”
    Dave swabbed a cup. “Like what?”
    “Like the Moto-Lodge.”
    “In Chambers City?” Dave sounded as though he’d suggested the moon.
    “Why not?”
    Dave said, “How’s she gonna pay? Her purse was in the car.”
    “How convenient.” She had it down to an art.
    Dave turned. “Have you talked to her? Spent any time with her? She’s real nice, Steve.”
    “The best cons are.” He knew that from experience.
    Dave rinsed a mug and set it upside down in the dish drainer. “You should let her work in the store a few days.”
    “With access to my till? No thanks.” Steve jammed his hands into his pockets.
    Dave jabbed a soapy finger toward him. “I don’t like you calling her a thief. She hasn’t asked for anything except just now for a job.”
    “And a shower.” He sounded petty.
    Dave shook his head and rinsed the last cup. As the sink water glugged out, he wiped his hands on a towel. With one last accusing look, he grabbed a jacket and headed for the garage.
    Steve went to the refrigerator and took out a carton of eggs and a loaf of whole-wheat bread. He dug for a stick of butter. He was not going to lose his appetite over this.

Five
    A LESSI STEPPED OUT OF THE SHOWER and toweled off. Sheriff Roehr had been friendlier this morning than the night before. He didn’t laugh when she proposed finding a job while she waited for her car to be found. He had tried to convince her to call her uncle, though. Was it pride that kept her from it? No. It was self-preservation, what self they’d left her.
    So finding a job was the first order of business. She’d never had a credit card, but all the cash from her bank account had been in her purse; almost a thousand dollars, starting-over money. She’d been especially frugal the last months when Edward Miller hadn’t seemed well. His stroke was not a complete surprise.
    Poor old Ed. How was he doing? His sons and daughter had swooped in to care for him and found him a decent facility. Alessi had not been needed. She worked the towel over her hair. Nope. Not needed one bit. She did help close down the store, working long hours clearing inventory at bargain prices. It was like selling pieces of Ed.
    And the thought of Dippin’ Dots and Dogs was just too much. She had left Daytona Beach December 4 and made it all the way to Charity. That, it seemed, was as far as she could go, unless she struck out on foot. Hitching a ride with strangers on the highway was not an option. And living with strangers was?
    She clutched the rough towel to her throat and breathed in the soapy-scented steam. It was only the one night, and her instincts had said she could trust Dave and Ben. She believed that still. But she was trouble for Steve. Understandable. She’d invaded his space. Story of her life.
    Alessi pulled on her clothes, then searched the cabinet. No hair dryer. But then, neither Ben nor Dave had enough hair to worry about it. Dave’s was a black buzzed rim on a bowling ball head, and Ben’s was that