EMBELLISHED TO DEATH by Christina Freeburn Read Free Book Online Page A

this event.”
    â€œShe’s not the accident victim?”
    â€œStill don’t know. At least that’s what I heard from my sources in the ER. They’ll call me if that changes. I have to operate like they’re separate people.”
    â€œWhat does the thief look like?”
    A pained expression crossed Bob’s face. “Not sure exactly as she has as many appearances as she does names.”
    â€œWhat makes you think this woman will show up here?”
    â€œI’ve told you more than I should already. The resort is booked. I need to stay here. Can I have your room?”
    â€œYou should tell Lydia and Marsha what’s going on. I’m sure they can get you in.”
    Bob shook his head. “The less people who know, the better. After three months, it looks like I’ve finally caught up to her. Once I know it’s her, I’ll notify law enforcement. I can’t have her run again.”
    A metal clang caught my attention. I watched a vendor wrestle a large luggage cart through the doors. The boxes had labels of a well-loved stamp company, and clear boxes were filled with patterned paper.
    Croppers used these products to turn their stories into fully embellished pages showcasing their lives for their family, friends, and others scrappers to enjoy. Lives were being displayed this weekend. Names. Hometowns. Families. Anxiety rippled through me. Crop retreats were a time for women to let loose and have a weekend focusing on a hobby they enjoy. We had to find out who this woman was before someone at the retreat had their life snatched away and used.
    Bob touched my elbow, drawing my attention back to him. “Your room?”
    â€œWhere would I stay?”
    â€œWith Steve. You have a room. He has a room. If you guys room together then it frees up a room for me.”
    I narrowed my eyes. “How do you know Steve and I have separate rooms?”
    Bob shrugged and offered a sheepish smile.
    Ted had a big mouth. And so did I for hinting around the status of my relationship when Ted asked how things were going with Steve. I should’ve stuck with “none of your dang business.” I wanted to get advice, yet didn’t want to get advice from Ted, as it seemed like a betrayal. I had little option for whom to confide in as Ted was the only other person – besides me and Adam – who knew about my previous marriage.
    â€œFrom what I know, Steve is a standup guy.” Bob patted my shoulder. “I’m sure he’ll behave himself. All the rooms have two double beds.”
    â€œHow am I going to explain this to him? He’ll need to know what’s going on.” I crossed my arms and tilted my chin up.
    â€œFine, you can tell Steve. We’ll just go have a chat with the clerk and settle this matter.” Bob draped an arm around my shoulder and led me into the hotel.
    It might be settled for Bob, but it would be the beginning for me. I still had to explain the situation to Steve.
    I had to make sure Steve understood why I needed to get involved. He didn’t approve of my ventures into sleuthing, but this time was different. I wasn’t trying to outwit a murderer, interfere in a police investigation, nor would I hide my involvement. There had to be some way we could use Scrap This as a way to ferret out the thief before she did any damage. This time, I needed and would ask for his help.
    â€œAfter we’re done here, I need to finish setting up my cover,” Bob said. “I need to be in the cropping area along with my life partner. I know nothing about scrapbooking but he does.”
    â€œThere might be a spot or two left.”
    â€œWhat do you mean left?”
    â€œThere are only a certain amount of spaces available for cropping. These retreats sell out all the time. With the Cropportunity retreat being new, they might have room for you and your partner.”
    Bob groaned and switched directions, herding me toward the