Page 78 of Karma

“I upset you, and I’m sorry. I came to apologize and to try to talk about it again.”

Annabelle lifted her chin. “You all but asked me if I deliberately cashed two checks.”

Liza shook her head. “No. I told you that two checks had been written and deposited, at least according to the bank. You refused to discuss anything more with me.”

“I had customers.”

“And you were upset.” An apologetic look crossed Liza’s face. “I was hoping you’d had time to calm down and understand I need to look into this.”

Annabelle wouldn’t meet Liza’s gaze. She turned to Dare instead. “Who is this?”

“My…boyfriend,” Liza said, stumbling over the word.

Dare bit back a grin. The woman who didn’t do relationships had just confirmed she was in one.

“Dare Barron, this is Annabelle Block. Annabelle, this is Dare.”

He nodded. “We’re spending the day together, and Liza wanted to stop by and see you before we did anything else. She’s been upset all weekend,” Dare explained.

The other woman let out a long sigh. “All I know is that I received one check, signed the back, and deposited it. I never saw another one.” Liza nodded. “Is there anyone else with access to your mail? Someone who does your banking?”

Dare had prepped her, and she was doing a fine job of questioning Annabelle while attempting to convince the shop owner she was deflecting blame away from her.

Annabelle shook her head. “It’s just me. You know I’m a small business. I have one part-time employee, and that’s it. I do all my own banking.” She forced out each word.

Liza gave the woman a smile. “Okay. I appreciate your patience and your honesty.”

Annabelle immediately turned away. “I’ve told you everything I know,” she said over her shoulder.

If that were true, then why was the woman so uptight and unable to look either of them in the eye? Dare wondered.

“Thanks,” Liza said. “Come on, Dare.” She tugged on his hand, and they turned for the door.

“Have you spoken to your brother?” Annabelle asked just as Liza gripped the handle.

Liza pivoted back around. “You know Brian?”

Dare turned as well, wanting to see the woman’s face and gauge her reaction.

“He’s come in looking at antiques.” Annabelle’s gaze darted around the store, not focusing on any one of her items in particular. Definitely not making eye contact as she spoke.

“Brian’s an accountant,” Liza said, her gaze narrowing.

“He…ummm…he’s been here,” the other woman said lamely.

Liza started forward, but Dare stopped her with a hand on her arm. If they crowded Annabelle, they wouldn’t get any answers. She’d clam up fast.

“Weren’t you just telling me this morning that you couldn’t reach Brian for the last couple of days?” Dare asked Liza.

She nodded. “He hasn’t answered his phone or returned my calls. Doyouspeak to him often?” she asked Annabelle.

The other woman looked distinctly uncomfortable. “Sometimes. We talked yesterday. He was in a rush and said he’d call me back. He hasn’t.”

Dare wondered if that had been before or after Liza spoke to Annabelle about the two checks.

“And that’s unusual?” Dare asked.

She shook her head quickly. “No, he’s a customer. I just…”

---