Blind Trust by Sandra Orchard Page B

“And I’ll need a copy of this tape.”
    â€œJust take it. I’ll throw in a new one.”
    Before hitting Eject, Tom tapped the screen at the guy inthe ball cap standing outside the window. “Do either of you recognize this guy?”
    Both women shook their heads. “He looks familiar, probably a farmer I’ve seen around town,” Kate ventured. “Why?”
    â€œHe seemed to be monitoring Peter’s movements. I thought he might be able to tell us something.” In light of this potential connection between a GPC employee and the counterfeiting, the presence of the mayor’s son in Kate’s house yesterday looked even more suspicious. Mayor Shephard King had made no secret of how determined he was to attract GPC to their community.
    Tom had to admit that up until now, he’d dismissed Kate’s concerns about GPC Pharmaceuticals as the overactive imagination of a daughter who blamed the company for her father’s death. Now . . . he wasn’t so sure.

    Kate edged her cuff off her watch and glanced surreptitiously at the time as Tom’s nephews oohed and ahhed over a thousand-piece Lego set. There were only three gifts left and still no sign of Tom. She never should have agreed to come back to the party while he tracked down Julie’s customers.
    Hearing that Peter had been one of them had unnerved her a little. The guy knew her darkest secret and had somehow found her unlisted number—probably by sweet-talking it out of one of her co-workers. Who wouldn’t be worried?
    Being accused of counterfeiting had already dredged up too many uncomfortable feelings.
    Laughter broke out among Tom’s relatives gathered around the twins in a circle of lawn chairs. Kate propped up her smile and tried to focus on the rambunctious pair tearing into another gift. She couldn’t think of a single good reason why Peter would want to talk to her, but there were plenty of bad ones, starting with blackmail.
    If there was one thing Mom had drilled into her, it was to never talk about Dad or mention their former last name. Kate instinctively smoothed the skirt of her dress, ensuring the proper impression she’d been programmed to project. But if Dad hadn’t done anything wrong, as Mom had always insisted, why should they hide? Why hadn’t they challenged the police department’s treatment of her father?
    If Peter knew Dad, maybe he knew what really happened. Her heart somersaulted at the thought. Just when she’d finally scrounged up the courage to search out the answer, she’d avoided the one person who might have it.
    She sprang to her feet.
    Tess caught her arm. “What’s wrong?”
    â€œI’m sorry. I have to go. I just remembered somewhere I need to be.” If Peter tried to contact her again, it would be at her home. And this time she wanted to be there.
    â€œBut . . .” Tess’s gaze trailed to her father before veering back to Kate. “Tom didn’t want you to go home alone.”
    â€œThat’s because I was upset, but I’m fine now.” Kate gave her a hug. “Thanks so much for inviting me. It’s been fun.”
    Tess wavered. “You’re sure you’re okay?”
    â€œI’m fine.”
    Ten minutes later, as Kate pulled her yellow Bug into Daisy’s driveway—her driveway now—a smidge of that confidence slipped. She glanced around the neighborhood and her stomach flip-flopped. Get over it already . It’s not as if you’re ten years old anymore and going to shatter over being called names. What is there really to be afraid of?
    Even if Peter threatened to expose her secret, would it really be that bad?
    The image of Mom’s haunted expression flared before Kate’s eyes as her “no one can ever know” whispered through her mind. Kate shook the voice from her head and snatched her keys from the ignition. Know what ? That’s