SEE HIM DIE Read Online Free Page B

“You don’t want to know.” She poured the rest of the beer into the frosty glass.
    Marie shot a knowing look at the beer. “I can see that,” she returned, aware that Julie wasn’t much of a drinker. “I take it you didn’t get the job.”
    “Nope, and after that I interviewed for a job as a bank teller. I didn’t get that one either.”
    Marie’s expression turned sympathetic. “Oh man, that sucks.”
    Julie downed another long swallow, and then she pushed a big old false smile into place. “No, what sucks is my husband cheating on me with a girl half his age. What sucks is being stupid enough to sign a prenuptial agreement that gave him all the power.” She sighed dramatically. “And what really, really sucks is rear-ending a cop with your neighbor’s car.”
    “Oh, my God!” Marie’s gray eyes rounded to match the perfect O her mouth had formed. “You’re kidding? You rear-ended a cop?”
    Julie nodded, the ridiculous smile seemingly frozen on her face. “Maybe if I had a rich uncle who died and left me his fortune I might be able to dig my way out of this hole.”
    A new kind of dismay claimed her friend’s face. “You don’t think he’ll sue, do you?”
    Jesus, Julie hadn’t thought of that. The beer abruptly soured in her stomach. “I don’t think so. He let me go without an accident report and seemed satisfied with my assurance that I would pay for the damages.”
    Marie nodded. “Good. He sounds like a nice guy. Maybe you got luckier than you know today.”
    Maybe she had. Julie hadn’t looked at it from that perspective. She’d been too busy licking her wounds and feeling sorry for herself.
    “I guess you’re right.” With the tip of her finger, she traced a bead of moisture down her swiftly defrosting glass. When she thought of the way the detective had looked at her, a little funnel of heat whirled beneath her bellybutton. She hadn’t been the only one fantasizing. She shook off the foolish notion. What was with her?
    “Can you come up with the money for the damages?” Marie ventured carefully.
    Julie narrowed her gaze at her friend. “Don’t even think about it. I’m not borrowing any money from you or taking one of your kids’ rooms, either. I’ll manage.”
    “I just want you to know I’ll be glad to help.”
    Julie shook her head resolutely. “I will find a job. Then I’ll take care of everything.”
    A moment of silence passed between them and Julie knew her friend was hoping it would be so easy. She was hoping that herself.
    “I could always use another waitress,” Marie offered.
    Julie watched a waitress rush to the bar with her tray in hand and spout off the names and special orders for a dozen drinks. “I appreciate the offer.” Julie swung her gaze back to Marie’s. “But I don’t think I’m cut out for waitressing.”
    “The tips are really good,” she encouraged. “Most of my people bring in six or seven hundred each week for working four days.”
    Disbelief radiated through Julie. “Dollars?”
    Marie nodded. “This is a busy place and the patrons are big tippers. It’s not unusual for a waitress or waiter to serve fifty or more drinks per night. Every drink is usually accompanied with a tip of a couple of dollars, sometimes three. That doesn’t even count the meals or side orders.”
    The number definitely gave Julie pause. She could survive on that salary. If she managed a divorce settlement maybe she could buy a practical car and a modest townhouse. Waitressing might not be so bad until she found a position those six years of schooling had qualified her for.
    She turned around on her stool and surveyed the waitstaff darting from table to table. She inclined her head and considered the skimpy skirts the females wore and the over friendly pats from the male patrons—female in the cases of the waiters.
    Frowning, she swiveled back to her friend. “I don’t know, Marie. I might have to hurt one of those guys.” She cocked her head toward