Free DumbAtHeart.epub by Amarinda Jones Page B

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    reason someone had done to her what they did.
    Evan reached down and picked it up. “Maybe, but at the moment I need to make
    sure you’re okay. The Throcker gold can wait.”

Chapter Ten
    Word soon raced around Mundabucka about what happened to the city chick.
    Cass was not impressed. “City chick?” She was back at the hotel with Flo and Jo
    fussing over her.
    “Yeah, well, you’re from the big smoke of Cairns.”
    “Cairns isn’t a major city. It’s regional, casual and carefree. It’s hardly a metropolis.”
    Flo considered that and nodded. “No, but it’s bigger than Mundabucka and that
    makes you the city chick.”
    Cass blew out a breath and stood up from the large armchair she had been directed to sit in and rest. “I’m fine,” she announced before either woman could say
    anything. It was nice they were worried but so much attention drove Cass mad.
    “Evan said you were to rest,” Jo told her.
    “Well, Evan’s not here so what Evan doesn’t know won’t hurt him will it now?
    By the way, where is he?” He had gotten her home and gone. “He was last seen
    holding onto the key and cursing under his breath.”
    “He was pretty angry about what happened to you.”
    “Flo’s right. He and Phil went to talk to Deputy Bob. They figure the key, compass and map are safest with him.”
    “Deputy Bob? Seriously?” Just when I thought Mundabucka couldn’t get more
    country.
    “Deputy Bob is our local cop,” explained Flo. “He’s been called Deputy Bob ever
    since primary school when he used to wear a sheriff’s badge. The thought is he liked
    it so much he decided to be a cop for real.”
    “Ah, I see.” Mundabucka was a strange place. It was better to go with it than
    against it.
    “We have Bob and Nellie on our Police force.”
    “Nellie?” Was Mundabucka progressive enough to have a female officer, Cass
    wondered?
    “His blue heeler cattle dog.”
    “Of course.” Cass smiled. She should have thought of that.
    “Phil also helps out,” Jo added. “They’re a very effective police force.”
    “No doubt,” murmured Cass as she thought of a tin starred Deputy Bob, a pooch
    and the toothless and fingerless Phil, on the beat looking after the mean streets of
    Mundabucka.
    It was then Adele appeared. “I heard what happened. Are you okay?”
    Like she gave a crap . Just the fake way she said it set Cass’s teeth on edge with
    suspicion. She looked too happy for someone who didn’t like her. A thought came to
    her. What the hell. “Why did you hit me on the head?” A little speculative accusation
    couldn’t hurt.
    “I did not!” Adele declared angrily.
    “And you took the key.”
    She bit back. “There was no key.”
    Three sets of eyes locked on Adele.
    “Ah-ha!” I frigging knew it.
    “Adele? What did you do?” Flo wasn’t happy.
    Jo barred the doorway she came in through. “You need to explain what you just
    said.”
    Adele backed away from everyone. “I mean, I heard through gossip that there
    was a map and compass. No one mentioned a key.”
    “Gossip, huh?” Cass knew she was lying her Sicilian ass off.
    “Of course.” Adele crossed her arms over her breasts. “Are you accusing me of
    something? That’s slander you know.”
    “Only if it’s not true,” Cass responded, thinking that as shallow as Adele was, she
    didn’t strike her as someone who would try and bash someone’s head in. That she
    knew what happened and undoubtedly by who was a given.
    “I don’t have to stand here and take this!” Adele snarled at Cass.
    “No, I’m sure you can take it elsewhere with the same reaction.”
    “Bitch.” Adele went off in a huff.
    “Cow!” Cass yelled after her. She didn’t care what Adele thought of her. As if
    Evan would want her.
    “Think she did it?” Jo asked Cass. “She’s pretty greedy.”
    “Yeah, but she’s basically stupid and shallow.” The other women nodded at
    Cass’s words.
    “Who else, then?”
    Cass wouldn’t put it