Tax Cut by Michele Lynn Seigfried Read Free Book Online Page B

started working here. But it appears I’ve picked up a stalker.”
    Bryce laughed harder.
    “I hope you feel sorry for me, and that you’re not just mocking me,” I said jokingly to him.
    “A little of both,” he replied.
    I guessed I would have been more embarrassed if it was anyone else, but there was something about Bryce that I liked. He was down to earth and made me feel at ease. I knew he and I would be friends.
    The bell dinged. Bryce and I both glanced at the counter. It was Bonnie arriving several minutes early for her interview. I invited her in to wait until Dingo was ready. She was drop-dead gorgeous. She probably could have been a supermodel. Her hair was dyed back to her natural deep brown color and her big brown eyes sparkled. She was glamorous, had a killer body, and was married to a neurosurgeon. She was also a good person, but had a raunchy side in a comedic kind of way. She was dressed in a sexy, red, form-fitting dress. I guess after I told her Dingo was a dog, she figured she would use that to her advantage.
    “You look great! Good luck!” I told her.
    “Thanks!” she said. “Who was the hottie with you when I rang the bell?”
    “That’s Bryce Coach, the Tax Assessor.”
    “Huh. You told me he wasn’t hot.”
    “I guess he’s not bad.”
    “Now I really hope I get the job. I get to look at that fine tush every day.”
    “Oh, brother!” I said with a roll of my eyes.
    Dingo came out, took one look at Bonnie, and casually unbuttoned another button on his shirt, revealing more of his hairy chest. I cringed in disgust. Since Bonnie couldn’t make a remark, which was customary for her, I could see her stifle back a smirk. She followed him back to his office for her interview. He asked if I wanted to interview her as well, since she would be working for me too. I declined. Bonnie had already been my assistant once—I knew she was good. I went back to work at my desk. I noticed the phones were quiet this morning. Besides Babs Todaro and Mike Nero, the phones had barely rung at all in the few days of my employment. I knew this was because Coral Beach was a summer resort type of a municipality, and there wasn’t much in the way of activity this time of year.
    There was still no word from the attorneys about the zoning ordinance, and without the ordinance, I didn’t know which properties were affected. So, I couldn’t get a jumpstart on the mailing I needed to do. I was also finished with the agenda items I had been given for the board meeting next week. With nothing left on my plate, I decided to clean out my new desk, finally, and sort things the way I liked them.
    It seemed as though someone had already cleared out Vinny’s personal items. I was grateful for that. I was apprehensive about finding something that belonged to a dead guy. I was sad for Vinny and almost felt a sense of guilt at the fact that I had this new job because of his death. I was deep in thought, sorting letterhead and envelopes, when I came across an envelope with something inside. I pulled the piece of paper out of the envelope and opened it.
    Chills ran down the entire length my entire body, followed by the feeling of terror. My hands trembled as I read the note. It said, “If you are reading this, and I am dead, please tell the police the boss is responsible.”
    “Chelsey. Chelsey,” I heard Bryce calling my name.
    “Huh?” I looked up.
    “What’s the matter, Chelsey? You look as pale as a ghost.”
    “Uh…I must have eaten something that didn’t agree with me,” I said.
    “Is Marc harassing you again?” he asked.
    “Oh, no, it’s not him.”
    “I have that Mike Nero guy on the phone again,” Bryce reported.
    Without thinking, I said, “Put him through.”
    “Really?” Bryce asked.
    “Uh…yeah, I guess.” I wasn’t thinking rationally after reading that note. I picked up the phone.
    “Yes, Mr. Nero, how can I help you?” I asked.
    “Mr. Nero? What’s this Mr. Nero stuff? If we are