The Case of the Artful Crime Read Online Free PDF Page B

job! Today’s payday. Shawn keeps our paychecks in his office. I’ll be right back.”
    â€œI’ll go with you,” Nancy said. “It will give me a chance to see the upstairs.”
    Halfway up the narrow stairs, Nancy grabbed Bess by the arm. “Listen,” she said. Raised voices were coming from the closed office door at the top of the stairs. “That sounds like Loreen.”
    Passing Bess, Nancy hurried toward the door and cocked her ear to listen. “Would you please calm down?” she heard Shawn say.
    Loreen clearly had no intention of calming down. Her voice grew louder and more shrill with every word she spoke. “You’ve ruined my life with your lies,” Loreen shouted angrily. “You’ll be sorry you did all of this to me. I’ll make you pay, Shawn Morgan, no matter what!”

4
Stakeout
    Nancy stepped aside as the door suddenly swung open and Loreen stormed out. Barely noticing her or Bess, Loreen ran down the stairs.
    â€œLoreen!” Shawn called from the doorway. Then, with a start, he realized Bess and Nancy were standing outside his office.
    â€œUh, I came for my pay,” Bess said, smiling feebly.
    â€œSure, of course. Come on in,” Shawn said, looking shaken.
    â€œWe couldn’t help overhearing,” Nancy said as she followed Bess into Shawn’s small, plain office. “I thought you said Loreen had no reason to be angry at you?”
    â€œShe doesn’t,” Shawn insisted, sighing deeply. “Though I suppose she might think she does.”
    â€œWhat happened?” Nancy prodded.
    Shawn shrugged. “She’s still mad that I hired you.”
    Bess blinked. “All those fireworks over a new waitress?”
    â€œThere’s a little more to it,” Shawn admitted. “Loreen and I met when I was in culinary school out in Arizona. We fell in love and got engaged. She came to River Heights with me three months ago when I bought the restaurant. Loreen was a big help, and things were great for a while. Then I saw a side of Loreen I couldn’t deal with.”
    â€œWhat side was that?” Nancy asked.
    â€œHer insecure, jealous side,” Shawn replied darkly. “Every time I hired a waitress, Loreen was sure I wanted to go out with her. Nothing I said could convince her it was strictly business.”
    â€œWas it always business?” Nancy asked. She smiled apologetically at Shawn’s shocked expression. “Sorry, but I think I should know for the sake of the case.”
    â€œAlways,” Shawn said firmly. “Loreen had no reason for suspicion, but she drove me so crazy with her constant jealousy that I broke off the engagement.”
    â€œSo that’s why she’s so angry,” Bess filled in.
    â€œI’m afraid so,” Shawn said. “I’ve tried to make her see that it’s best for both of us. We’ll never be happy together if she doesn’t trust me.”
    â€œWhy does she stay on?” Nancy asked. “It must be uncomfortable for you both.”
    â€œShe wants to go back to Arizona, but no one seems to be hiring out there right now. And Loreen doesn’t know anyone in River Heights besides me. All her family and friends are in Arizona. I think she’s saving up to go back. That’s one of the reasons I don’t have the heart to fire her. Besides, Loreen’s a great head waitress. For three months, she’s put all her energy into helping me get set up.” Shawn sighed. “I know she still thinks of this restaurant as part hers. It would have been if we married.”
    â€œIs Loreen angry enough to destroy your business?” Nancy asked pointedly.
    â€œI really don’t think so,” Shawn replied. “Loreen isn’t the vengeful type, despite what you may have just heard.”
    â€œOn the other hand,” Bess pointed out, “she has the chance to destroy the place from