Fair Cronies and Felonies by Anne R. Tan

Author:Anne R. Tan [Tan, Anne R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Anne R. Tan

11

Sabotage

After settling Janice in her home, Raina strolled across the lobby of the condo complex, hoping to return to the paperwork for the fire damage. Anything to forget the disturbing image of the red car wrapped around the tree trunk. She didn’t want to think about the implications of the car crash until she could do it privately.

A tall brunette ducked under the crime scene tape and slipped into the kitchen of the senior center. Was that Alex Kovac?

Raina hurried across the foyer and peered into the kitchen. The insurance adjuster wore a blue silk top and black trousers. Her hair was pulled back into a chignon. It wasn’t an outfit made for sneaking around.

Alex opened and closed one cabinet after another. What was she searching for? And should Raina announce her presence?

Raina pulled out her cell phone from her purse and turned on the video recording app. Through the tiny screen, she saw Alex reached into a shelf. It was now or never.

With the cell phone held casually in her hand but pointed at Alex, Raina stepped into the kitchen. “Can I help you with something?”

Alex jerked her hand back from the cabinet. “No, I’m fine. I’m here to take more pictures. You didn’t mention the contents inside your cupboards in the spreadsheets you gave me. The insurance company should give you money to replace them.” Her tone was taut like she was nervous.

Liar, liar, Raina thought. The insurance adjuster wouldn’t offer Raina more money out of the kindness of her heart. “All the plates, platters, and utensils were donations. At most, they might have been worth fifty dollars. That’s why I didn’t include them in the claim. If you’d called, it would have saved you a trip.”

“Is there a reason you don’t want me here?” Alex asked.

Raina raised an eyebrow. Someone was on the defensive. “This place is an open book. We’re not hiding anything here.” She glanced at the cupboard. “We just want our legitimate claim processed so we can start rebuilding the heart of our community.”

“We’re still not done looking through the numbers.”

“What can I do to help speed things along? I have provided price quotes for the repairs. I have filled out the required paperwork. I have even checked our claim against the policy, so I know I’m not asking for anything unreasonable. What else do you need?”

“These things take time. It is a large payout, and we have to dot every ‘I’ and cross every ’T’.”

Raina narrowed her eyes. Something was wrong with this picture. She was done playing the nice quiet Chinese girl. Still holding the camera in front of her, she flipped open the cupboard door. There was an open can of paint thinner on the bottom shelf.

Alex’s eyes widened, and she pointed an accusing finger at the paint thinner. “Ah-ha!” she exclaimed. “The accelerant for the fire. It was arson.”

“I saw you put the can of paint thinner in the cabinet,” Raina said. “You’re looking for an excuse to deny the claim.

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