Betrayal by Fern Michaels Page A

sleeper. Or nosy, I’m not sure which. She never seems to miss anything at home. She’ll be surprised when she realizes she missed the cops. I can’t imagine her sleeping through those loud sirens.”
    Kate couldn’t either but didn’t say so out loud. She berated herself for the negative thoughts she had concerning Sara. Something was going on with her, and Kate was going to get to the bottom of it. Suddenly, she knew she didn’t need to change the locks on the doors. She knew exactly what had happened to her studio. Until she could prove it, however, she would remain silent.

Chapter 5
    â€œS ara, you should’ve told me you were here. You scared us half to death,” Kate explained.
    â€œI’m sorry, Aunt Kate. I was just so full from breakfast. That raw bacon you served made me so sick, all I wanted to do was lie down and rest. I might be poisoned.”
    â€œI’d give her an enema. That’ll clean her out. Just in case she’s poisoned,” Emily said.
    Kate laughed. “I think she’ll be okay. I’ll make sure you eat lightly for the next twenty-fours hours. If you’re no better, then I’ll take you to the emergency room myself,” Kate informed Sara.
    â€œI’m okay. Now. This happens only when I eat raw pork. Mommy cooks it well-done, like I told you before,” she snapped.
    â€œI promise this won’t happen again. Emily, Alex is still at the kennel with the Taylor family. Why don’t you run down there and see if he needs any help. I’m going to stay with Sara a while before I tackle the mess in the studio.”
    Kate hadn’t mentioned one word about the police or the so-called break-in to Sara. She wanted to watch her, see if she hinted at anything about it, which would cast suspicion on her.
    â€œYou’re sure you don’t need me here? I can start cleaning the studio when the Taylors leave.”
    â€œNo, I don’t want you to risk hurting yourself, just go see if Alex needs your help. Tell the Taylors I’ve got a sick child and can’t say good-bye. I’m sure they’ll understand.”
    â€œOkay.” Emily paused, glaring at her sister. “Don’t give Aunt Kate any trouble.”
    â€œSee, this is what she does all the time! She blames me for stuff I don’t even do. I can’t wait till Mommy gets back. I’m going to tell her—”
    â€œEnough, Sara,” Kate admonished.
    â€œWell, I am going to tell her about almost dying from food poisoning. I bet she’ll never let me out of her sight again. She won’t want to go on one of those stupid cruise ships ever again!” Sara whirled out of the room like a fast-moving tide.
    â€œOf course I’ll tell your mother you were sick. Which reminds me, I need to call them before they arrive in Cape Canaveral,” she said to Sara’s back as the obnoxious child raced out of the room.
    Kate shook her head and left the room, with Emily at her heels.
    â€œShe’s so mean, Aunt Kate. I don’t believe she was sick, do you?”
    â€œI don’t know. I do know that I didn’t serve raw bacon for breakfast. It was probably too much grease. She’s at a difficult age, Em, remember that.” That was lame, but it was all Kate could come up with.
    â€œYeah. Okay,” Emily agreed. She left through the kitchen, heading for the kennel.
    Finally, with a few minutes to herself, Kate sat at the kitchen table in order to contemplate her next move. Of course she’d have to clean up the studio. She would call Nancy and tell her she wouldn’t be able to make the exhibition after all. There were plenty of other artisans who could take her space. Then she would talk to Alex. She’d tell him her misgivings. From there, they would decide what to do.
    She’d wait until the girls left before she would allow herself a pity-party over the destruction of her earthenware and the lost