Cuff Master

Cuff Master by Frances Stockton Page A

Book: Cuff Master by Frances Stockton Read Free Book Online
Authors: Frances Stockton
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Morgan felt as if she’d known the other
woman before, only the person she’d known had been a teenager.
    “Pardon me if this sounds odd, but you look very familiar to
me. Weren’t you at the Williams-Maddox wedding Friday night? I’m Alisa Bailey.
I attended with my husband, Spencer.”
    Alisa was a petite attractive woman with brunette hair that
she’d pulled back into a bun. She looked to be about fifty, though stress had
begun to line Alisa’s eyes and mouth. The more Morgan studied Alisa, the more
she saw someone else…Jenna!
    The sadness pervading Alisa’s soul grew stronger, draining
some of Morgan’s energy. The lighting in the restroom became annoyingly
brighter, putting a strain on her eyesight and creating a haloed affect around
anything she tried to focus on.
    Aware that the strain on her eyesight meant a headache was
looming, Morgan didn’t let it stop her from communicating with the other woman.
Alisa smiled, looked absolutely beautiful, but she was empty, lost.
    Rubbing at her temples to keep the migraine at bay, Morgan
smiled back.
    “Yes, actually, I’m Morgan Everhart. I was Cassie’s maid of
honor. Please forgive me for not recognizing you. Cassie Maddox’s sister Alessandra
used to work at Bailey and Stratham.”
    “Oh yes, what happened to Alessandra Williams was such a
tragedy. We were so honored to receive an invitation to Cassandra’s wedding.
Spencer and I are regular members of her father’s congregation, but we were surprised
nonetheless. And such a gorgeous man Cassandra married! Any woman would count
herself lucky to have him.”
    “Phalen’s a genuine hero.”
    “Just as his brother is, Detective Maddox, I mean. He and
his partner helped my family sixteen months ago. I’ll never forget their
compassion after we lost our daughter.”
    “I am so sorry to hear that. But I’m glad Ethan helped you.
Might I ask what happened to her?”
    “She ran away to be with a boy she’d met online. Detectives
Riley and Maddox tried to find her for us. Sadly, the boy she’d gone to meet
was actually a predator. She…she was found in a warehouse with some other girls
of similar age, murdered and burnt beyond recognition.”
    “I can’t even imagine such a thing.” Suddenly, Morgan
recalled the scent of smoke and apples that’d clung to the tuxedo.
    In her experience, spirits revealed themselves to her in
ways that didn’t often make sense until sometime later. Jenna had been giving
the only clues she could.
    Two things had been very prominent to Jenna when she’d died,
the scent of apples and smoke. Apples had been stronger, leading Morgan to
think the girl died near a farm stand that sold apples, not in the fire.
    “Are you all right, Ms. Everhart? You’re trembling,” Alisa
said, moving closer.
    “I’m fine,” Morgan insisted. “I’ve a bit of a headache.”
    “Would you like some Tylenol or aspirin?”
    “No, I’m hoping it’ll pass.”
    “I should get back to the party, boring as it is. I’d far
rather retreat to my orchard.”
    Alisa looked off toward the bathroom door. It was obvious
she needed to get back and wasn’t sure why she made such comments to Morgan.
Something within Alisa was compelling her to remain. Morgan knew that something
was the woman’s daughter.
    “Wait!” Morgan jumped in before Alisa could escape. “You
mentioned an orchard?”
    “Yes, my family owns one of the oldest apple orchards in
Massachusetts.”
    “Where’s the orchard, Mrs. Bailey? I’d like to visit
sometime.”
    “It’s centrally located off Route 2 near Concord. Andrews
Farms and Orchard has long since gone from apples to selling all sorts of
vegetables. My sister Maura runs it now. But it’s my solace. I feel closest to
Jennifer there. She loved apples, especially apple cider.”
    “Mrs. Bailey, if you’d like to talk further, come see me at
my shop in Salem. I know it sounds strange, but I’m psychic and I believe…I
believe your daughter was at the wedding

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