Show Me Betrayal by Ellen E. Withers

Author:Ellen E. Withers [E. Withers, Ellen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781649172921
Publisher: Scrivenings Press LLC
Published: 2023-05-15T16:00:00+00:00

Mother Nature’s call had Liesl threading her way through tables filled with diners. She waved at a chum from her school days seated toward the back, who raised her fork in return, her mouth full of food.

Gretchen burst through the bathroom door. “Who’s that handsome man you’re with?” Her curly red hair bounced around her eager face.

“Ah, dear cousin, it’s nice to see you too.” Liesl hugged her. “His name is Justin, and he’s the Lumber City manager.”

“Gossip and details are much more fun in the ladies’ room. Tell me all about him.”

“I’m so glad you’re related to me. I can chew you out for your impertinence, directly to your face, and you still have to send me a Christmas card.”

Side by side, or rather stall by stall, she relayed the details of her introduction to Justin and smiled at Gretchen’s delight with the description of the “attack dog.”

“Only you would meet a man under such conditions.”

Liesl eyed the bandage Justin had applied, still on her hand even after a shower. “If you don’t believe me, I’ve got the scars to prove it.”

“I can’t wait to tell Cameron. He made me swear I wouldn’t go over to your table and introduce myself.”

Liesl said a tiny prayer of thanks that Gretchen’s husband had the sense to corral her crazy cousin. She owed him one. “You can tell Cameron about it. No one else. I don’t need this town to buzz about me picking up a man while adhered to a tree.”

She tugged on her black wool slacks and decided the apple green sweater and pearl necklace had been a good choice for the evening. Her lipstick was long gone, so she reapplied it.

“Sometime, I have business to discuss,” Gretchen said as she washed her hands. “I was going to call you this week, but I didn’t want to upset you.” She pulled a couple of paper towels. “A few days before Aunt Suzanne became sick, she brought me some financial papers. Said she wanted me to check for—er, irregularities. Does that ring a bell?”

Gretchen was a CPA and a partner in a local accounting firm. It would make sense for Aunt Suzanne to turn to her with the Butterfly House financial quandary. “If it’s about a local non-profit organization, then yes, I’m aware.” Liesl didn’t say her knowledge came from their aunt’s journal entries rather than discussion.

Gretchen frowned. “Even though she is no longer living, I can’t breach client confidentiality.” She threw the towels in the trashcan and met Liesl’s gaze. “Let’s suppose this paperwork involves a non-profit organization. It would be wrong to review my findings with someone who was neither my client nor a member of the organization.”

Liesl thought for a second. “As someone who is to inherit most of the estate of your client, would I become your client upon inheritance?”

“Not unless you agreed to continue the matter with me.”

“What kind of paperwork would you need?”

“Something proving you are the estate’s beneficiary.”

Liesl pondered this while she formed a response.

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