Bailed Out (The Anna Albertini Files #2) - Rebecca Zanetti Page 0,58

at her watch. “I’m busy, and so is Kelsey.” She focused on her sister again. “Did you get the programs for the Daily and Johnson funerals printed yet?”

“Yes.” Kelsey tapped the top file folder. “I also finished the obituaries for our website and updated the notification for the county of the times you want to run the crematorium.” She grabbed a notepad. “Lana can’t be here until ten the day of Mrs. Daily’s funeral to do her makeup.”

Krissy grimaced. “That won’t give her much time, but that’s not my problem.”

I cleared my throat. “You two work well together. It’d be fun to work with my sisters, but we’ve all chosen different careers.”

Krissy slowly turned to look at me as if irritated I was still there. “Your middle sister is probably going to prison for murder, and you know it. Now, please leave. Let the police do their jobs and stop trying to cover for your sister or your lover. Nice picture in the paper, by the way.”

It was hot enough that the heat filtering into my face would just mix with the rest. “Thanks so much. The news reporter is an old friend. Tell me about your lover. Rich seemed intense.”

She sighed and rocked back on her tennis shoes as if needing to stretch. “He is, and I like him that way. Now leave before I have you arrested for trespassing, and don’t think for a second that I won’t call the newspaper to report the arrest. They can follow up on your earlier article, and your old friend can expand her fanbase. I couldn’t believe the number of clicks on that online article. I will call her, Anna.”

Ouch. Good threat. I scrambled to think of anything to ask that wouldn’t tick Krissy off, but nothing came to mind. So I turned back to Kelsey, who was a much softer sell. I got the feeling that she wanted to do the right thing but didn’t know what it was right now. “All right. If you have anything you want to talk about, please call me.”

Krissy looked at her sister. “I need some help in the back room.” Then she turned on her tennis shoe and disappeared through the doorway. Apparently the eldest Walker sister didn’t like me much.

I stood. “I’m sorry if I got you into trouble.”

Kelsey grinned and stood. “She’s always like that, and when Rich is cranky, she’s cranky. Don’t worry.” Then she walked to follow her sister, tossing carelessly back at me. “Good luck with the case, Anna.”

I watched her go but couldn’t reply as she walked away. The tattoo visible beneath the strap of her sleeveless blouse, directly over her right shoulder blade, was of a heart with a sword through the middle.

The letters BGC and PROPERTY were clearly inked right above it.

Chapter 21

My mind spun as I drove away from the funeral home. Kelsey had lied to me about the tattoo. Why? What in the world could BGC stand for? I quickly dialed Pierce and got his voicemail. “Hey, it’s Anna. Kelsey Walker has the same tattoo as Pucci and probably Rich. Thought you’d like to know.” Then I hung up and tried to plan my next move. The only thing I could think to do was head out to Rich Pucci’s business and see if he’d talk to me.

As I swung back toward town, my phone buzzed. “Hello.”

“Hey Anna, it’s Aunt Rachel. I heard you’re on a leave of absence, and I need a favor.” Her voice was chipper. My aunt had married Uncle Sean when they were both still teenagers and was often the calm in the storm of the Irish side of our family. Probably because she was mostly Swedish.

“Sure. What’s up?” I asked, speeding by a tourist going way too slow.

“Pauley is in a session with Cousin Wanda, and I’m stuck on the other side of the pass. A truck carrying salmon turned over.” A honk sounded.

I flipped a quick U-Turn to head back to the main area in town. “I can pick him up and take him to lunch.”

“Wonderful,” she breathed. “I’ll call Wanda to give him the heads up so he isn’t surprised. I really appreciate it. He’s a little off because one of his college classes was canceled after the professor came down with Shingles, so it’d be better if you took him to your place and not a busy restaurant. I’ll meet you there.”

“You’ve got it.” I turned down Main Street. “Grab me a couple of salmon