inner light swirled and I half-expected to see smoky images appear. I shook off the thought and rubbed a chill that caused goose bumps to rise on my arms.
“Why so secretive?” I asked.
“We need to talk. I didn’t want Seanmhair to hear what I’ve got to say. Take a seat.” BettyJo motioned to a chair at her reading table. She clicked off the crystal ball and the swirl disappeared. Thank God for small favors. At least I wouldn’t be creeped out by having to see it in action.
Her chuckle caught me unaware. “I know the ball bothers you. Not one of my customers asks to have it turned off. Maybe it’s my Madame Zelda image that does the trick.”
“Right, I’ll remember that, Madame Zelda,” I said and relaxed. “What’s going on?”
“One of my clients came in early this morning for a reading. She was chitchatting afterward and mentioned a party she’d been to at Vincent Gallagher’s house. Surprised at the revelation, I asked if she enjoyed herself. It seems she overheard an argument between the blonde and another guest,” BettyJo said conspiratorially. She warmed to the subject and leaned her elbows on the table and said, “She recognized the man, but had no idea who the woman was.”
“Who is he, then?”
“Joshua Hardin.”
I shook my head and shrugged. “Who’s Joshua Hardin?”
“A member of the House. Haven’t you seen him on television?”
I snorted. “If I had time to watch television, maybe I’d know him. At this point, the only time I get to see what’s happening in Rhode Island is when I read old news in yesterday’s paper at two in the morning.”
“He ran for a term last year and won by a narrow margin. His reputation isn’t as sparkling clean as he’d have everyone believe. If I remember correctly, there was mention of him having an affair not long before he declared his candidacy. The story was quickly squashed.”
“Who was the affair with? Did it come out?” I asked.
She shook her head and thought for a minute. When BettyJo gets an idea, her face lights up like the Christmas tree on the White House lawn. I smiled when it happened this time. Maybe we’d get somewhere now.
With a slap on the table, BettyJo grinned. “I know who we can ask. One of my clients works at a news station. She’ll have access to the information we need.” She rose from the chair, pulled her phone from her purse, and hit speed dial.
“Hey, Myra. It’s BettyJo Seever. I need a favor and you’re the one person who can help me.” She listened for a moment and then asked if Myra would look up the video on Joshua Hardin.
“At this moment, I can’t say why I need the information, but if it leads where I think it will, I’ll gladly give you a crack at the story,” BettyJo promised.
When she’d finished with the call, BettyJo looked at me with bright eyes that sparkled with enthusiasm. “Myra’s going to dig up the footage, subtly ask the reporter who did it, and then get back to me. As soon as she does, I’ll call you.”
“This was worth missing out on a nap. I’ve got to figure out what happened before the shit really gets deep. Gallagher can become a hazard to my business and lifestyle if I’m not careful. The last thing I need is to lose my livelihood.”
Her eyes widened and BettyJo asked, “He wouldn’t go that far, would he, Melina?”
“We had a one-sided conversation earlier. He didn’t say he’d put me out of business, but inferred as much. I won’t go down without a fight, but honestly, I haven’t the energy for it at the moment.” I yawned and got to my feet. “I’m going home for a nap. If you hear anything, let me know right away. Thanks, BettyJo.”
The shop was closed for the day when I returned. Seanmhair had left a note saying Samantha had called in sick. Sean had taken her leave, and left the daily deposit on the desk with a note attached. It read:
Don’t do anything foolish where Aidan or where Mr. Gallagher are concerned. Call if you need
“Why so secretive?” I asked.
“We need to talk. I didn’t want Seanmhair to hear what I’ve got to say. Take a seat.” BettyJo motioned to a chair at her reading table. She clicked off the crystal ball and the swirl disappeared. Thank God for small favors. At least I wouldn’t be creeped out by having to see it in action.
Her chuckle caught me unaware. “I know the ball bothers you. Not one of my customers asks to have it turned off. Maybe it’s my Madame Zelda image that does the trick.”
“Right, I’ll remember that, Madame Zelda,” I said and relaxed. “What’s going on?”
“One of my clients came in early this morning for a reading. She was chitchatting afterward and mentioned a party she’d been to at Vincent Gallagher’s house. Surprised at the revelation, I asked if she enjoyed herself. It seems she overheard an argument between the blonde and another guest,” BettyJo said conspiratorially. She warmed to the subject and leaned her elbows on the table and said, “She recognized the man, but had no idea who the woman was.”
“Who is he, then?”
“Joshua Hardin.”
I shook my head and shrugged. “Who’s Joshua Hardin?”
“A member of the House. Haven’t you seen him on television?”
I snorted. “If I had time to watch television, maybe I’d know him. At this point, the only time I get to see what’s happening in Rhode Island is when I read old news in yesterday’s paper at two in the morning.”
“He ran for a term last year and won by a narrow margin. His reputation isn’t as sparkling clean as he’d have everyone believe. If I remember correctly, there was mention of him having an affair not long before he declared his candidacy. The story was quickly squashed.”
“Who was the affair with? Did it come out?” I asked.
She shook her head and thought for a minute. When BettyJo gets an idea, her face lights up like the Christmas tree on the White House lawn. I smiled when it happened this time. Maybe we’d get somewhere now.
With a slap on the table, BettyJo grinned. “I know who we can ask. One of my clients works at a news station. She’ll have access to the information we need.” She rose from the chair, pulled her phone from her purse, and hit speed dial.
“Hey, Myra. It’s BettyJo Seever. I need a favor and you’re the one person who can help me.” She listened for a moment and then asked if Myra would look up the video on Joshua Hardin.
“At this moment, I can’t say why I need the information, but if it leads where I think it will, I’ll gladly give you a crack at the story,” BettyJo promised.
When she’d finished with the call, BettyJo looked at me with bright eyes that sparkled with enthusiasm. “Myra’s going to dig up the footage, subtly ask the reporter who did it, and then get back to me. As soon as she does, I’ll call you.”
“This was worth missing out on a nap. I’ve got to figure out what happened before the shit really gets deep. Gallagher can become a hazard to my business and lifestyle if I’m not careful. The last thing I need is to lose my livelihood.”
Her eyes widened and BettyJo asked, “He wouldn’t go that far, would he, Melina?”
“We had a one-sided conversation earlier. He didn’t say he’d put me out of business, but inferred as much. I won’t go down without a fight, but honestly, I haven’t the energy for it at the moment.” I yawned and got to my feet. “I’m going home for a nap. If you hear anything, let me know right away. Thanks, BettyJo.”
The shop was closed for the day when I returned. Seanmhair had left a note saying Samantha had called in sick. Sean had taken her leave, and left the daily deposit on the desk with a note attached. It read:
Don’t do anything foolish where Aidan or where Mr. Gallagher are concerned. Call if you need
Similar Books
