Second To Nun (A Giulia Driscoll Mystery Book 2) Read Online Free Page A

in the atmosphere of the room. The linen-lookalike curtains rippled in the breeze. The soft lemon walls evoked morning sunshine. She loved the design of this space, a combination of restful colors and business efficiency. Her focus shifted away from ghosts and psychics and Tarot cards. Now that Sidney was back part-time from maternity leave, Jane’s temporary employment as Sidney’s replacement would end in two weeks. Giulia knew an excellent full-time job fit for Jane, and had the power to all but make it happen.
    She picked up the phone and called the Ninth Precinct, but not to talk to her husband.
    “Captain Reilly, please…Jimmy? It’s Giulia. You know how you’re always trying to lure me into working for you? Let me tell you about my temp.”

Six

      
    Giulia finished explaining to Jimmy what an asset Jane would be to the Ninth Precinct. It wasn’t even one thirty and her “Must Complete Now” task list had quadrupled. Well, complaining wouldn’t get anything done. Lunch would. She got up for probably the last time today and opened her door.
    “Anyone going—Hi, Jane.”
    Sidney was eating something natural on whole wheat at her desk. Zane was gone. Jane had a brown bag in hand.
    “Bad timing. Not you, Jane. My multitasking. What’s up?”
    “Developments on the insurance fraud case.”
    Giulia waved her through the open doorway. “My office? I just need to get some lunch up here.”
    Jane followed Giulia in and closed the door. Giulia called downstairs to Common Grounds, the coffee and lunch shop, and ordered the special with a Coke.
    “I’m all yours, Jane. Go ahead and eat.”
    This Jane was slightly mellower than the Jane of three months ago who’d bristled at any perceived slight and plastered makeup over her tattoos. She stood taller and smiled now and then. Giulia attributed that to steady employment and Jane’s discovery of an unexpected talent at shadowing people.
    Today emerald streaks embellished her black hair. Her green sleeveless shirt picked up the highlights. She pulled a four-by-six spiral-bound notebook out of her backpack.
    “I won’t eat until I report, Ms. D. I need my notes to summarize. Our middle-aged husband went to his stockbroker job as usual. His charming wife entertained guests, relaxed in her garden, and otherwise was an ornament to the neighborhood.”
    Giulia frowned. “That’s no help to us.”
    “It gets better. Tonight they’re invited to a political fundraiser. Three hundred bucks a plate. If she’s going to wear her supposedly stolen diamonds, it’ll be then.”
    “We need pictures.”
    “Already on it. I borrowed a swanky party dress from my sister. You should see the updo wig I found. I look positively middle class in it.”
    “Make sure you keep track of your hours. I’m sure you’ve worked more than twenty this week.”
    “You bet.” Jane hesitated. “Would you write a reference letter for me? When we finish this insurance fraud business I’ve got to start job hunting again.”
    “Of course. You’ve been terrific. I’m going to miss you.”
    Jane smiled. “Zane gave me an open-ended invitation to join his gamer crowd. You’ll still hear my name once in a while.”
    Sidney knocked and opened. “Nine bucks with tip, please.” She set a Coke and a plastic container with a sandwich and salad on Giulia’s desk.
    Giulia handed her the money.
    “I’m out of here,” Sidney said. “Jessamine has a checkup tomorrow morning, so I’ll be in after that.”
    “Sounds good,” Giulia said to her, then to Jane: “Go eat. Shoo. Excellent work. I’ve got a thousand items to plow through and no time for fun things like conversation.” As Jane opened the door, Giulia called her back. “I’m going out of town early tomorrow afternoon. Can you be in here by ten to let me know what happened at the fundraiser?”
    Jane wilted, but rallied a moment later. “I’ll set two alarms.”
    Giulia ripped several pages from the legal pad and spread them