Telling Lies Read Online Free Page A

of her. “Antonio, sorry to bother you, but could you help me for a minute? I can’t seem to find the blotters I need.” She gestured to a shelf over the register. “I think they’re up there. Can you get them for me?” Unsuccessfully hiding his annoyance, he reached overhead for a box marked Adoreé fragrance blotters. In the few seconds he had his back to her, Helen peeked over his shoulder and glanced at the receipt, still next to the register. She noted that he’d rung up one bottle of eau de parfum but had placed two in a small Saks shopping bag. Just as she was about to give the store’s security guard, who’d been briefed on Helen’s assignment, a high sign, pandemonium broke out.
     
    Another well-dressed customer who was in the midst of paying for her purchase at a counter across the aisle had placed the small Pomeranian dog she’d been carrying down on the floor next to her. While she was waiting for her credit card to go through, she glanced down and noticed the dog was gone. Noticing a woman striding toward the back of the store, she started screaming at the top of her lungs, “Stop that woman! She stole my dog.”
     
    Helen didn’t hesitate. In one continuous motion, she leapt out from behind the counter, sped across the aisle, and tackled the woman, who had started moving away as fast as she could. Tumbling to the floor between the handbag and cosmetic counters, Helen pinned her down and heard the high-pitched yelping coming from beneath her. It was the Pomeranian, a little white fluff of a dog that the thief had managed to conceal under her coat. “Jake, Jake. Come to Mommy.” The dog’s owner, scooped him up in her arms and kissed him as though he’d been adrift at sea for days and had just been rescued by the Coast Guard.
     
    Helen rolled her eyes heavenward, heaved herself off the thief, and waited for store security to escort the woman to their office. By now a crowd had gathered, all of whom were cooing over the dog, asking him if he were okay, while virtually ignoring Helen, the person who had rescued him. Remembering what she’d been doing when all this started, she brushed herself off, ran her fingers through her short blond hair, and hurried back to her counter. But it was too late. The woman Antonio had been helping was long gone, the shopping bag and receipt with her. Another phony smile was plastered on his face as she approached.
     
    “ My God, Helen, are you okay? That was so brave of you. I’d never have gone after her, especially at your age.” He reached over and flicked a piece of lint from her jacket. “Oh, and don’t forget these, love.” He handed her the blotters she’d asked for a few minutes ago.
     
    Helen smiled sweetly. “Thanks, Antonio.” Oh, I won’t forget anything about today. You can count on that. Groaning inwardly, she headed for the break room, realizing she’d have to spend at least one more day on her feet if she were going to catch the bastard.
     

Chapter Six
     
    The Danieli Hotel
    Venice, Italy
     
    Soft waves lapping against the fondamenta had finally lulled Laurel to sleep at two in the morning. Now, just hours later, she was awake again. The church bells of San Maggiore striking six o’clock intruded into her dream and nudged her into consciousness. The rude awakening was her own fault; she’d left the windows open. Their double panes were designed to keep the sounds of the city from disturbing the hotel’s guests. Laurel couldn’t resist the elemental pull of the water, and she had opened the windows to let in the ethereal spirit of this city of the sea. She rolled over in the enormous gilt-framed, antique bed, and realized that Aaron was gone. Sighing, she buried her face in a luxurious down pillow and snuggled deeper under the voluminous comforter. All she wanted was to fall back asleep and avoid the start of the day—and the resumption of last night’s discussion. Brushing her tousled hair away from her face, she realized