Claus for Alarm by Gretchen Allen

Author:Gretchen Allen [Allen, Gretchen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Summer Prescott Books
Published: 2019-11-18T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Charlotte hadn’t expected to find herself feeling quite so lonely. She knew when she agreed to house-sit for Ian that she was walking into a situation where she didn’t know anyone or anything about her surroundings. Still, she was looking forward to being in Partridge Point and experiencing something new. When she was lucky enough to meet Hannah, Charlotte had felt comfortable. Now, with her only friend in jail for murder, she had no idea where to turn. If she went to Teddy, and it turned out they were both correct in the fact that Hannah had nothing to do with Kira’s murder, she’d risk Hannah being upset with her for involving him in the first place. Charlotte wasn’t about to talk to Burt, the taxi driver, or even one of the ladies from the exchange about everything, so instead, she did the only other thing she could think of. Franco had been Hannah’s assistant for two years and was probably the person she felt the closest to. Franco had agreed to come over on his lunch break and talk to Charlotte.

She prepared him a meal, so the poor man wouldn’t go without since he was being so generous with his time. The air was getting more bitter by the hour, and snow was in the forecast. A hearty stew was just the ticket. Once the stew was ready to come out of the crockpot and be served, a knock sounded at the door. Charlotte quickly got the stew into bowls, placed them on the table, and rushed to answer the door.

“Franco. Thanks for coming,” Charlotte said, seeing what looked to be an Eskimo on the other side of the door.

“Of course.” Franco followed Charlotte into the house.

“Would you like me to take your coat?” she asked.

“I’m fine. Thank you,” he replied.

“Okay. How about your scarf, or your hat, or maybe the gloves?” Charlotte chuckled.

Franco grinned, his demeanor softening. “Sure. It’s a little chilly out there.”

Charlotte peered out the window. “Did you walk?”

Franco hesitated for a moment, watching Charlotte. “Tell me about your relationship with Hannah.”

Charlotte answered, not entirely sure why she was doing so, but Franco seemed uncomfortable, maybe even leery, and she wanted to ease his mind.

Seemingly satisfied with her answer, Franco removed his gloves and hat. “I walked, yes.”

“It’s awfully chilly out there. Why on earth would you do that?” she asked, holding out her hands to take his scarf and coat.

“Unfortunately, while Hannah sits in jail, I have to serve someone else. The stand-in.” Franco’s face said everything about how he felt about that.

“I see. Well, isn’t that your job?” Charlotte mused.

“Indeed, it is.” Franco gave a nod. “That doesn’t mean I have to like it, though.”

Charlotte understood. “Would you like some stew?”

“I’d love that. Thank you.”

Once they’d gotten settled in with their lunch, Charlotte asked again, “how come you walked?”

“I was told that I wasn’t supposed to have anything to do with Hannah or the murder while everything was being investigated. I don’t believe for a second that she could have done something like this, but no one really cares what I think.

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