Heart of Gold - B.J. Daniels Page 0,71

thought she could feel so much hatred. But that night, something dark and depraved had taken over her. It had felt primal and putrid. She still shuddered with shame when she remembered that cold-blooded feeling.

Shep thought he knew her. He thought she wasn’t capable of murder. But she feared he was wrong.

Monday, she dragged herself out of bed. Only a couple more days before Christmas and a week off. She couldn’t wait, for so many reasons. Over break, she planned to do some investigating on her own. She had to know the truth.

She thought it was a good sign when she managed to get to her desk without seeing either Amanda or Greg. Her horoscope had made her laugh.

In the middle of a romantic triangle? Maybe it’s time to free yourself from this dilemma you’ve been in. You know which choice you want to make.

She wondered if Shep had read her horoscope because he had seemed distant this morning. He said he was hungover from all the home shows they’d watched. She tried not to worry about it. She had enough on her mind.

Her cubicle felt empty without Tara. Charlie couldn’t wait until Christmas break. Greg was giving everyone a paid vacation from Christmas Eve through January first. All she had to do was get through a couple more days.

The only drawback was the wedding. Amanda had insisted on a post-Christmas wedding at Big Sky Resort in the Gallatin Canyon outside of town. Greg had sprung for rooms at a hotel on the mountain with lift passes and rentals for anyone interested in skiing. The wedding was scheduled for Friday right after Christmas, and guests were welcome to stay two nights at the resort for free.

Charlie had no choice but to attend the wedding—she’d even asked Daniel to go with her back when they were a couple. Now she planned to come back home right after the wedding. She thought most of the other employees would take advantage of Greg’s generosity and stay the whole two days.

“Charlie?”

She jumped at the sound of her name directly behind her and spun around to find Amanda hovering over her. “Amanda. You scared me.”

The woman smiled, clearly enjoying her discomfort. “You seemed to be a million miles away. A penny for your thoughts.”

“Actually, I was thinking about your wedding.”

“Really? How interesting since I just stopped by to give you the information you’ll need including directions to the hotel at Big Sky.” She handed Charlie a pale lavender envelope. “You are planning to stay both days, I’m sure. Greg would be so disappointed if his favorite employee left right after the wedding.”

“I bet you say that to all the staff,” Charlie said and laughed as if it had been a joke.

“And you must bring Shep,” Amanda said, lifting a brow. “How do you do it? Men just seem to flock to you.”

“Hardly.” Daniel had been her first boyfriend in months and now that was over. Shep... Well, it wasn’t what Amanda thought it was. And he’d be gone soon no matter what happened. His students would be anxiously waiting to learn new math.

“I’m telling Greg you’re bringing your latest beau,” Amanda said. “Don’t make me a liar.”

“I wouldn’t want to do that,” Charlie said, wishing she hadn’t been so heavy on the sarcasm. But Amanda either didn’t notice or ignored it as she took off to deliver the rest of her lavender envelopes.

* * *

MAC CALLED JUST as Shep was heading back to the apartment after making sure that Charlie had arrived at her office without incident. The high school English teacher asked how they’d liked the cookies.

“They were delicious,” Shep said, feeling guilty as he glanced over to see the package sitting on his pickup seat. He’d forgotten about them. But he knew Mac wasn’t really calling about the cookies.

“I thought of someone else you might want to talk to. Lindy’s math teacher. His name is Fred Jones. He’s retired but I can give you his address.”

Shep took down the address and phone number and thanked Mac.

“Give Charlie my regards,” Mac said and disconnected.

Fred Jones lived south of town on Sourdough Road. The house appeared to have been built in the late sixties: flat roof, white stucco, large windows, everything all on one level.

Shep’s knock was answered by an older, physically fit man with short gray hair and a closely trimmed beard. After Shep introduced himself, Jones led him into the living room. Even the furniture was from the sixties. Shep sat on the