MULTIPLE MOTIVES (The Kate Huntington mystery series Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

week? I thought I heard someone in the waiting area.”
    “Yes, actually, I did. I, uh… couldn’t find my keys.” She was avoiding eye contact. “I thought maybe I’d left them in your office, but then I heard Rob’s voice. I, uh, didn’t want to disturb you, like if you were in a meeting or something.”
    Cheryl was now examining the pattern in the fake-wood flooring. “So I just left,” she finished lamely.
    From her embarrassment, Kate suspected the woman had seen her comforting Rob and had misinterpreted it as a romantic encounter. She considered setting the record straight, but decided she’d sound like she was protesting too much. Instead she gently said, “You could’ve knocked. Our meeting wasn’t so important that we couldn’t have helped you find your keys.”
    “Oh, that’s okay, I found them. They were in the bottom of my purse all along.”
    “Well, you take care now, and take care of the little one, too.” Kate pointed to Cheryl’s slightly rounded belly, under her loose top. “When are you due, five more months, right?”
    “Yeah, and I can’t wait.” The young woman grinned, apparently happy to be back on safe ground. “This little tub of lard’s already startin’ to weigh me down. I think I’m gonna name him Tubbo.”
    “Don’t you dare. You’ll scar his psyche for life, and it might be a girl, you know. Let’s not be sexist.”
    “OK, then I’ll call her Tubbette,” Cheryl cheerfully threw over her shoulder as she walked away.
    Kate breathed a small sigh of relief. The silly banter had served to restore the balance in their relationship.
    ~~~~~~~~
    On Wednesday, Kate was feeling drowsy as she waited for Rob at Mac’s Place. She still hadn’t completely recovered from staying up late Monday to celebrate the end of tax season. Maybe she would take a nap this afternoon.
    Eyes drooping, she startled a bit when Rob slid into the booth across from her.
    “I didn’t see your car out front,” he said.
    “I’ve got Eddie’s Saturn. He took my car today so he could go by that discount place near his office at lunchtime. If they’ve got a good sale going he said he might replace all four tires and be done with it. So, how are you? And how’s Liz?”
    Rob caught her up on the Franklin household’s adjustments to Liz’s temporary semi-invalid status. Then they discussed mutual cases for awhile, including Cheryl’s. Rob had filed for a hearing to try to get her alimony. The courts, unfortunately, were backed up even more than usual and he hadn’t been able to get her case on the docket until July.
    Kate shook her head. “She’s a waitress with minimal benefits. Will you be able to get her alimony? She’s worried about her finances around the time the baby’s born.” Kate was worried too. Rob was handling the case pro bono and the counseling center had a sliding scale that went all the way down to a dollar a session, but still the woman had to eat and pay the rent. Financial stress might weaken her resolve to go through with the divorce.
    “It’s not a given,” Rob said. “Especially since her husband doesn’t make a whole lot more than she does. The fact that she won’t be able to work for several weeks is my strongest argument. She’ll definitely get child support, but I can’t file for that until after the baby’s born.”
    As they ate, their conversation meandered through other subjects, professional and personal. They were waiting for the check when a man approached their table. He was a bit stocky, slightly shorter than average, and wearing an inexpensive business suit. There was an air of self-importance in his body language.
    “Mrs. Huntington?” he asked.
    Kate nodded.
    “I’m Detective Phillips. We spoke on the phone two weeks ago.”
    Kate felt her face tighten. “Yes, I remember.”
    “Your receptionist said I’d find you here, lunching with Mr. Franklin.”
    Kate narrowed her eyes at him. “What is it you want, Detective?”
    Phillips was