Angels in Disguise Read Online Free Page B

“Thank you. I work hard at keeping fit. I like challenges and get along with Tiffany fabulously well. We laugh a lot and do fun things, like shopping and getting ice cream. And the child needs someone to pay attention to her achievements. She's a very talented little artist, but I doubt Carlotta even recognizes it. One day, when Tiffany called me, she was crying. Said her mother had ripped one of her drawings in two and threw it on the floor. Made me furious."
    "Getting back to Carlotta. Do you know any of her friends or acquaintances?"
    "I've never met many of female friends, but there was woman she introduced me to at her house several months ago."
    "Do you remember her name?"
    Delia rubbed her temples with her forefingers. “Oh, geez, I can't remember and she appeared a little more levelheaded than Carlotta. I think it was Beth something.” She squinted her eyes, then pointed a finger at him. “Beth Matthews."
    Hawkman jotted down the name. “Did she mention her line of work?"
    "No. I don't recall her mentioning what she did. And Carlotta didn't say."
    "Anyone else?"
    "Tulip Withers. She's the daughter of Hank Withers who owns the butcher shop in town. A strange girl and gives the appearance of a wilted flower. Very plain with stringy dishwater blond hair, and has dark circles under her eyes. You'd imagine her a very sick person or one on drugs. Hard to tell."
    "Do you know where she works?"
    "She's a waitress at Mom's Cafe off Main street. She and this other woman, Beth, were at Carlotta's when I got worried about Tiffany and drove over to check on her."
    "Have you found Tiffany home alone often?"
    "Oh, yes. And if her mother isn't there within an hour, I go pick her up."
    "Have you ever thought about calling Child Services?"
    "Yes, but Paul won't hear of it. He says if they get involved, then it would hurt his chances of ever getting Tiffany if he and Carlotta divorced."
    "Do you think that might happen?"
    She pushed strands of hair behind her ears. “I really doubt it, Mr. Casey. My crazy son is still madly in love with the woman. I can't see why, as she doesn't offer him a thing but pain and agony. The only way it would happen would be she divorces him. Maybe she'll find some truck driver who'll promise her the moon, then whisk her away to some far off land.” She sighed. “I'm afraid though, she does have enough brains to realize the mighty dollar is nice to have. She's never has to want for anything."
    "I get the impression you don't care for your daughter-in-law."
    "That's an understatement, Mr. Casey. I've never been able to tolerate her very well. From the day Paul and Carlotta got engaged, I tried to discourage him from marrying the girl, but he'd fallen head over heels. Nothing I said discouraged him. To tell you the truth, I think the little bitch got pregnant to make sure he married her, but I can't verify that as Tiffany came right at nine months after they tied the knot.” She took a sip of coffee. “And they seemed fairly happy until about two years ago and then it appeared their marriage fell apart."
    "Could you spot a cause?"
    "Not really. Of course, Paul worked long hours and they didn't have much of a social life. He tried to get Carlotta involved in a hobby, or with Tiffany's life, but she didn't seem interested. One time I heard them arguing about school events. Carlotta told him she didn't want to be around a bunch of snotty nosed kids with mothers who talked about nothing but cooking meals and kids. The girl hadn't matured and Paul took the brunt of her ravings."
    "You said you don't approve of your granddaughter's dress code, but yet, it appears you let her wear those clothes when she's with you and Paul does the same. Can you tell me why she gets away with it when she's with you, since you vehemently disapprove?"
    Delia curled a long strand of hair around her finger. “Long story. When Tiffany first wore the hip huggers over here and I noticed the belly button ring, I actually had a