Evil in the 1st House Read Online Free Page B

astrological discussions than Keaton. He began reading the charts out loud.
    â€œIt’s called The Happy Snappy Marshmallow Company, but I don’t see anything happy about it. Most of these people have worked their entire lives for this company, putting away a little at a time for decades to ensure a decent old age. Now the money is gone. Even if I can identify the culprit and we can prove culpability, there’s a chance they may never get the money back if it has been hidden or moved offshore. Time is more of an issue here than I first realized.”
    He shuffled through the charts. “According to the president of the company, three main suspects had access to the accounts. Each has an afflicted chart in some ways.” He held out one paper to the turtle. “Here is the bookkeeper’s chart. The ruler of her 2nd house of money and values is in opposition to Neptune, the most confusing and unreliable planet. She has never had a clear sense of reality when it comes to what’s important, and she may have a gambling problem or some other spending issues. Her attitude toward money and possessions is convoluted and she is very capable of deception.”
    Buster’s gaze remained fixed on Lowell as he spoke.
    He turned to the next chart. “This is the vice-president’s horoscope. He has a Moon-Pluto square and Mars conjunct Saturn, both difficult and unsociable aspects. While I wouldn’t want to be friends with this person, I don’t think it’s the chart of a thief. What do you think?”
    Buster seemed to shrug and shake her head.
    â€œI agree. I don’t think it was the vice-president either.” He raised another chart. “Here’s the third suspect, a junior partner with access to the accounts as well. Also an afflicted chart with Neptune in square to the Sun and Mars. He lacks self-confidence and can often be confused. But he doesn’t have the ego or willpower to accomplish a theft of this magnitude. How this company ever lasted so long with this mishmash of neurotics is a mystery.”
    He wrote a few notes on each chart, and then announced his decision. “It’s the bookkeeper.”
    Buster nodded, albeit slowly.
    â€œGood.” He slipped the charts back in the folder and sat. “Now all we have to do is prove it.”
    Buster didn’t move. She was a more effective consultant than investigator.
    He hit the intercom button. “Sarah, get me Buddy Ferguson at The Happy Snappy Marshmallow Company.”
    She giggled. “Sorry, Boss, the name just cracks me up.”
    â€œWell, try to contain your amusement.”
    In a moment his phone rang. “Mr. Ferguson?”
    â€œBuddy, please. Everyone calls me Buddy.”
    â€œOkay, Buddy. I believe I’ve narrowed down the suspects to one. But now it’s a matter of proof and finding the money before it disappears, if it’s not already too late.”
    â€œWho is it?”
    â€œYour bookkeeper.”
    Buddy let out a long exhale. “Oh no, not Harriet. She’s been with me for more than a decade. Couldn’t be. Are you certain?”
    â€œPretty much,” said Lowell. “And she’s probably been planning this for some time. Is she still working for you?”
    â€œOh, yes. She comes in most days exactly on time. Although she occasionally works from home.” Buddy took a deep breath. “How can you know for sure? You haven’t even met her.”
    â€œThis is what I do. I often interpret the charts of people I never meet. I don’t think she was working alone. This is too much money to move. She must have someone in a bank or other financial institution who could handle that large a transaction without creating suspicion. The ruler of her 3rd house of siblings and relatives is heavily aspected, which means there may be a family member directly involved in this affair. Is there someone in her family in a position to move this kind of