Midas Touch by Frankie J. Jones Read Free Book Online Page A

stopped in mid-sentence and ran to Sandra’s desk. “What’s wrong?”
    Sandra shook her head, reaching for a tissue to wipe the sweat from her face.
    “Should I call a doctor?” Allison reached for the telephone.
    No. It’s just something I ate. I’ll be fine.”
    Allison looked at her doubtfully.
    “I’m fine,” Sandra insisted, her voice growing firmer. “It’s only heartburn. Charles just left,” she added, as if that should explain everything.
    “You don’t look fine ,” Allison replied. “I think you should see

    a doctor. You’ve lost weight and you eat antacids like they were candy. You look tired, Sandra.”
    “It’s nothing.” She tried to straighten the papers on her desk, but her hands shook noticeably.
    Allison reached over and removed the papers from Sandra’s hands. “I can’t afford a dead boss. Either you agree to go to the doctor, or I drive you home where you can rest. Which will it be?”Sandra was too tired to argue. The latest attack scared her.
    “Home,” she relented, “but I can drive myself. I need you to sit in for me at the ten o’clock briefing with Dunbar. He wants to discuss some structural changes required before we can receive city approval. Andrea is the designer and she will be there. I was only going to make an appearance of goodwill to show the firm is willing to incorporate any changes they deem necessary”
    “Let me get someone to drive you.”
    Sandra stood. “I can drive myself,” she stated. Her tone was sharper than she intended. To soften the words she patted Allison’s arm and said, “I won’t die on you.” She took her purse from her desk. “At least not until we’ve met all our deadlines.”
    She gave a weak smile and left.
    Sandra drove straight home, and was surprised to seeCarol’s car in the garage. She assumed Carol would be gone to whatever she did during the day.
    Mondays were Margaret’s shopping day, so she would be out most of the day.
    Sandra let herself in with her key and removed her jacket. She thought about working in her study for awhile, but was suddenly too exhausted. She had not slept well the previous two nights.
    All I need is a few hours of sleep, she reasoned as she headed down the hallway to the bedroom she and Carol shared. They had not spoken since their brief encounter yesterday. Carol had disappeared after Sandra escaped to her office and not returned home until after midnight. They spent a long silent night clinging to their respective sides of the bed. Carol was still sleeping when Sandra left for work.

    If she’s in, perhaps we can talk, Sandra thought. We have to clear this up. After I’ve rested for an hour or so, we can go somewhere for the afternoon and maybe even share an early dinner. Sandra opened the bedroom door gently, in case Carol was still sleeping. She stopped short at the spectacle before her. Carol sat in the middle of their bed, with her head thrown back, moaning in ecstasy. A blond tangle of hair spread out from between her legs and across the bed. A cry began and died in the back of Sandra’s throat.
    Carol’s eyes flew open. A look of sheer terror crossed her face. Sandra felt her feet weld themselves to the floor. She could only stare at the woman between Carol’s legs. All the times she tried to get Carol to let her touch her came back in a flash. How long had she been seeing this woman? Was she the first or were there others? Was this how Carol normally spent her days?
    “Sandra, I can explain,” Carol said, crawling across the bed toward her. Ingrid Bennington sat up and tossed her mane of wild hair, her lips still wet with Carol’s excitement. She flashed Sandra a triumphant smile.
    Carol grabbed Sandra’s hand. “It’s not what it looks like.”
    Sandra looked down into Carol’s face. She had been such a fool! “You have exactly five minutes to get out. Get dressed.
    Don’t bother packing.”
    “Sandra! No!” Carol began to cry. “Please, let me explain.
    Ingrid is a