Betrayal - Fern Michaels [95]
“I’ll see what Randi has listed. You know, I walked out of the office without the damned paperwork. That’s not like me,” Debbie said.
Kate was surprised she’d actually admitted she had faults. Debbie had always been quick to blame others for her shortcomings.
“That’s fine. I have things to do this afternoon anyway.”
When they climbed in the Jag, Debbie turned the air-conditioning to high. “This heat frizzes my hair. I’ll never get used to it. Thank God for central air and swimming pools.”
Kate smiled. Debbie had always worried about her hair. Nothing new there. She’d hoped Debbie would mention her children, but since they were headed back to the office, Kate decide now was the only chance she would get.
“Debbie, do you have children? I can’t remember if you said you did or not.”
Debbie shot her a glance that said she knew she was full of it but answered her anyway. “I have two daughters. They’re grown. The oldest is training to be a damned vet, do you believe that? My youngest, well, she hasn’t found her place just yet. She helps out at the office occasionally. What about you, do you have kids?”
Kate didn’t know whether to tell the truth or lie. She decided to go in between. “I had a stepdaughter.”
“Had? Did she die or something?”
Kate was still shocked at her crassness. “No, her father and I divorced.”
“So she didn’t like having a stepmother, huh?” Kate rolled her eyes. “Actually, we got along quite well. There was a situation that she couldn’t control. I haven’t seen her in a while.”
“Take my advice. Forget about her. Kids aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. I spent the best years of my life raising two selfish little girls. How do they thank me? One goes away to college, and the other, well, she’s a real prize. Something’s wrong with her. She’s not right in the head, hasn’t been since she was a kid, but that’s an entirely different story. Oh don’t get me wrong, I love my girls. I just wish they were more like me.”
And God help us all, Kate silently prayed.
They pulled into the parking area before Kate had a chance to reply.
She didn’t want to go back inside the office. “I’m running late, Debbie. I’ll call Randi tomorrow and see what other listings she has for me.” She took her keys out of her purse.
“Well, whatever. The client is always right. If you change your mind about that date, call me. This guy would be perfect for you.”
“Thanks, but like I said, I’m not ready to date.”
“Whatever, later.” Debbie entered the office with a wave of her hand.
Kate jumped in her car, cranked the engine, and put the AC on. It was hotter than hell inside the vehicle.
She’d learned so much today. She’d already surmised that Emily was studying to be a veterinarian. Now she knew it for sure. How wonderful!
Kate was so happy for her. Emily had always loved animals as much as Alex did. He would’ve been so proud to know that all that time she’d spent with him at the kennel had made such an impression.
And then there was that message Debbie had left for Coleman. Kate couldn’t imagine what the chances were that Coleman would contact Debbie in hopes of finding her. Maybe someday, when she accomplished her goal, she would call him. She’d prepared for this for the five years she had spent working at the IRS. She wasn’t going to allow a friendship to stand in her way, no matter how nice Coleman had been to her in the past.
Then there was Sara. It was evident she was giving her mother a hard time. This didn’t surprise Kate. Years ago she remembered Gertie telling her she thought Sara had mental problems. She’d been right.
Don was an alcoholic. That really didn’t surprise her at all. He always overindulged. Year after year, what could you expect? That must be why there were no employment records for him. It looked like Debbie was the breadwinner these days.
It was time to put her plan into action. She now knew where her first magical strokes would take her.
“What the hell do you mean my account is overdrawn? I’ve never bounced a check at this frigging bank. You go back and check your records.