Disappearing Nine Patch (A Harriet Truman/Loose Threads Mystery Book 9) by Arlene Sachitano Read Free Book Online Page B

came by is to see if you’ve had a chance to investigate.”
    “I think you’re overestimating my powers as a detective,” Harriet protested. “Besides…” She glanced around the table at her friends. “…we’ve been spending our free time making the donor quilts for your fundraiser.”
    “I’m sorry, I knew that. And I know I only asked you yesterday. I’m just so desperate for answers. I feel like this has been hanging over my head my whole life.” Tears filled her eyes, and Stewart Jones reached over and put his hand on hers.
    “So, what do you do?” Mavis asked him, giving Molly a chance to compose herself.
    The tea kettle whistled, and Harriet got up to retrieve it. She poured hot water into cups for everyone and carried them to the table, two at a time. When she was finished, she got a small basket of mixed tea bags from the cupboard.
    Stewart looked up at her as she handed him the basket.
    “I’m a poet. And before you ask, yes, I’m published, and, no, it doesn’t pay the bills. I work as a convenience store clerk at that store down by McDonald’s. Out on the highway.”
    Molly sniffled and dabbed at her nose with a crumpled tissue.
    “I’ve read his work. It’s really very good.”
    Carla passed the plate of cookies across the table to Molly and Stewart, and they busied themselves selecting a couple and passing the plate on to Lauren.
    “I’ve started researching Amber’s disappearance,” Lauren told them. “So far, I’m learning a lot of background information. Pretty much all the theories that didn’t pan out.”
    Mavis set her cup down.
    “So, Stewart, how did you happen to be at the missing children’s place? I mean, Amber’s been gone for a long time.”
    He leaned back in his chair.
    “You’re right—the Carey Bates Missing and Exploited Children’s Organization was only formed five years ago. Twelve-year-old Carey Bates went missing from Foggy Point, only to be found being sold as a prostitute in Seattle. They brought her home, but she ran away repeatedly until one time she didn’t come home. She had died of a drug overdose in her pimp’s hotel room.
    “I heard about them the first week they opened, and I went to let them know about Amber. I’ve checked in with them once a month ever since.”
    Harriet leaned forward.
    “Have they ever had anything for you?”
    He hung his head and closed his eyes briefly before looking back at her.
    “They’ve done age progression pictures every year. They post them on missing children sites, but so far, nothing has turned up.”
    “I was glad Stewart was there,” Molly said. “My ex, Josh, showed up to deliver his donation to the fundraiser. It was terrible.” Her face turned red as she spoke. “Can you imagine? He took out a restraining order against me !”
    “What?” Harriet asked.
    “I know, right?” Molly continued. “He got a judge somewhere to believe that he—all six-foot-three, two hundred-and-sixty pounds of him—was abused by me . It’s a nightmare.”
    Lauren took a sip of her tea and set her cup down.
    “So, what happened?”
    “He drove up and parked in front of the office, and then had his attorney, who was conveniently in the car with him, come in and demand I leave so he could safely come inside and make his donation.”
    “That takes some nerve,” Mavis said.
    “I was lucky Stewart had come in just before that. I was in my office, and I got so upset I couldn’t even speak.” She looked at Stewart. “Stew took me by the hand and led me out the back so I didn’t have to see Josh. We went to the coffee shop and talked for hours. When we went back by the office he was gone.”
    Harriet got up to get the box of cookies to refill the empty plate.
    “He just conveniently had his attorney with him?” she asked.
    Molly took a cookie from the proffered plate and took a bite. Stewart answered for her.
    “Supposedly, his attorney is also his AA sponsor.”
    “You don’t believe him?” Lauren