Page 45 of Under Fire

Matt escorted Delilah into the bank and waited by her side while the assistant manager finished a phone call. “Do you recognize any of the employees?”

She nodded. “I went to high school with two of the tellers and the assistant manager.”

“Did I tell you that you look breathtaking today?”

Delilah smiled. “No but thank you.”

Footsteps heralded the approach of the assistant manager. “Sorry to keep you waiting. I’m the assistant manager, Cindy Kenworth. Please follow me.” Once they were in her office, Cindy waved them to the chairs in front of her desk. “What can I do for you?”

“I’m Matt Rainer and this is Delilah Frost. We need access to a safe deposit box.”

Cindy’s gaze swung to Delilah, her eyes wide. “Oh, my goodness. I didn’t recognize you, Delilah. You look fantastic.”

“Thanks.”

“Does your mother know you’re in town?”

“I saw her last night. I need to open Mom’s box.”

“What’s the number?”

She told Cindy the information she needed. “You’ll hear before the morning is gone. Mom passed away last night.”

“I’m so sorry. Your Mom was a nice woman.” Cindy stood. “I’ll grab the key and we’ll get you on your way. You must have a million things to do.” She left the office and returned a moment later with a card in her hand. “Sign here.”

That done, they followed the woman down a long hall. Cindy veered to the right and opened a secured room. She slipped her key in the lock of the correct box and motioned for Delilah to do the same with her key. Together they unlocked the box. “I’ll make sure you aren’t disturbed. Take your time, Delilah.” The assistant manager left the secured room.

Taking a deep breath, Delilah lifted the lid and goggled. Inside the box was a letter-size envelope and bundles of cash.

Matt whistled. He glanced at Delilah for permission and picked up one of the bundles. After thumbing through the bills, he said, “All one-hundred-dollar bills.”

Delilah dropped into the closest chair, envelope in hand. She tore open the flap and scanned the one-page document inside. After a few moments, Delilah looked at Matt.

“What is it?” He crouched beside her chair and sandwiched her hand between his.

Instead of answering verbally, she handed Matt the letter. He unfolded the paper and read. By the time he finished, his teeth were clenched. Michelle Holloway had placed a target on her daughter’s back.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Despite her mother’s instructions to take all the money in the safe deposit box, Delilah didn’t feel comfortable carrying that much cash in her purse. She opted to take $6,000 and still felt as though everyone knew she was a prime target for robbery. She refused to walk around Harmony carrying $100,000 in a handbag.

Matt ushered her into the coffee shop where Cade and Sasha waited. Delilah took the proffered to-go cup of tea from Cade. “Thanks.” She turned to Sasha. “Did you find anything useful for Perk?”

“They have amazing croissants. I know a vendor near Otter Creek who has been after me to try his baked goods. Turns out this shop buys croissants from the vendor’s franchisee. Same recipe, same service. The customers here are snapping up the croissants. I can stock small individual containers of butter and different flavors of jam in one of the display cases. What do you think?”

“I’m ready for one now,” Matt said, eyeing the windowed cabinets around Harmony’s coffee shop. “We have a few minutes before Delilah’s appointment with the lawyer. Anybody else want something? I’m buying this round.”

Cade opted for a croissant and Sasha chose an orange muffin. Delilah scanned the menu and chose iced blueberry tea in lieu of food not on her diet plan. Matt was right. A treat once in a while was fine. However, indulging two days in a row began a pattern of eating processed food that ruined her life as a teen. She wasn’t about to head back into that miasma. Getting the weight off was too hard to ever let her discipline slide like that again.

After finishing the hot tea from Cade, Delilah sipped the blueberry tea as they walked to the lawyer’s office. “You should offer this tea in Perk, Sasha. It’s sure to be a hit with the customers.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. I’ve been thinking about adding several types of tea to the menu. You’re not the only one who’s been asking for herbal tea instead of coffee.”

A minute later, they walked into Oliver Shannon’s outer office.

A dark-haired woman occupied the receptionist’s desk. She smiled as they approached. “May I help you?”

“I’m Delilah Frost. I have an appointment with Mr. Shannon at 11:00.”

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