Heart of Gold - B.J. Daniels Page 0,76
Shep mumbled.
“I take it there haven’t been any more Lindy sightings?”
“Not since Charlie literally ran into the woman and ended up with her scarf. But the apartment was broken into. We suspect the Lindy look-alike was searching for her scarf.”
“Interesting. She doesn’t want us having her DNA.”
Shep knew he had to voice Charlie’s concerns. “Charlie is worried that she might have killed her stepsister.” He thought the judge would be shocked.
Instead Landusky asked, “What do you think?”
“No way. I know Charlie.”
“For a short while years ago,” Landusky pointed out but kindly.
“I know her,” Shep said adamantly. “She didn’t do it.”
He heard a soft chuckle. “So I was right to ask you to see to this.”
Shep didn’t know what to say. He thought the judge disconnected, and so was surprised when he spoke again.
“I just got a text that the DNA report from the blond hair on the scarf has come back.”
* * *
AMANDA WAS IN great spirits when she showed up unexpectedly—and unwelcome—at Charlie’s cubicle. “What do you think?” she asked, turning in a circle so Charlie could assess her ski outfit.
“I think you shouldn’t be here,” Charlie said. “I mean, I thought you were taking the day off like everyone else.”
“I am. I just picked up this outfit and I wanted to show it off but you’re the only one here. What do you think?” Amanda did another turn in the cubicle. “It’s Greg’s favorite color. I’m going to wear it on the ski hill at Big Sky.”
“It’s purple,” Charlie said before she could catch herself.
“Is it too much?” Amanda asked, sounding suddenly worried.
The outfit consisted of a purple sweater, purple bibs with a lavender scarf and purple mittens and hat with a lavender pom-pom on top. The only thing that would make it more purple would be if Amanda was chewing grape gum.
“I think it’s perfect. It’s...you.”
Amanda gave her a side-eye for a moment before she laughed and broke into a huge smile. “It is me. I’m so excited. About the wedding. About marrying Greg. About everything.”
“As you should be,” Charlie said and started to turn back to her desk. She really wanted to take care of some things before the holiday. But Amanda didn’t take the hint.
“You know, since you’re here... There is something I have to ask you,” Amanda said, dragging her attention back. Charlie thought of her morning horoscope warning her to use good judgment in all things, especially those involving her job and the people she worked with. “I wouldn’t ask, but I’m desperate. I need you to be my maid of honor.”
Charlie felt her eyes go wide. All breath locked in her chest. For a moment she couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe, couldn’t even blink. “Amanda, the wedding is in two days.”
“I know. I just found out that my friend from Colorado broke her leg and is in traction.”
“You must have another friend—”
“Pat is pregnant and due any day. She can’t fly. I already told Greg that I asked you a long time ago to be my backup maid of honor and you said yes.”
“What? Amanda! Why would you do that?”
“He thought it was a wonderful idea,” Amanda rushed on, making Charlie doubt that had been the case. “So you really can’t say no at this late date.”
“I’m the last person you should ask. I mean I’m sure you have a close friend in town that you—”
“Actually, I don’t,” Amanda said, dropping her voice to a whisper. “I don’t make female friends easily.”
Big surprise, Charlie thought.
“Please. Greg and I both want you to stand up with us.”
Groaning inwardly, Charlie tried to think of anything she might say to make this go away. Her cell phone rang. She snatched it up. “I have to take this,” she said to Amanda and hit Accept.
“I need to see you,” Shep said. “I’m at the apartment. Can you take a break? I could meet you at the coffee shop next door to your office if—”
“That’s quite all right. No, this isn’t a bad time. I’ll be right there.” Disconnecting, she reached for her coat. “I’m sorry, Amanda, a client needs me right now.”
“On Christmas Eve?” Amanda demanded. “Well, I can see why Greg is always speaking so highly of you. But what about—”
“Later. We can talk about this later,” Charlie said, shrugging on her coat and sidestepping past the woman as she headed for the door.
Behind her, Amanda said brightly, “I’ll call you with the details. You won’t regret this.”
The cold morning air was a welcome relief after