Free If the Shoe Kills by Lynn Cahoon Page B

violate her religion. I’ve been playing mediator all day. I think she’s just balking because it’s Tina.”
    Tina had led the charge to keep Esmeralda off the Methodist church choir years ago and failed. I smiled, thinking about the gypsy fortune teller and the mayor’s wife standing toe to toe. “Amy said there were turkeys and pilgrims.”
    â€œWell, the mayor’s offices are Thanksgiving. For our area, Tina wanted to go with the baby Jesus story. I swear, the woman is bipolar.” Greg paused. “When are you heading back?”
    â€œYou got plans in mind?” I teased, watching the librarian continue to glare at me through the archway.
    He chuckled. “I was hoping you’d pick up a couple of pizzas from Little Godfathers and bring them back. I’ll buy the beer and bring a movie. It’s been a long week.”
    â€œSounds like a perfect Saturday night date.” I’d probably exhausted the resources here anyway. “Call the pizza in and I’ll be home in twenty.”
    â€œYes, ma’am.” He chuckled and hung up.
    I returned to the microfilm reader, printed off the interview with Ted, and returned the rolls to the librarian, who took them without a word. I guess I was on the library Santa bad list for not silencing my cell.
    Heading back across town, I passed the building housing the Work Today program. The bus with the South Cove participants was unloading. On a whim, I turned into the parking lot.
    Stepping out of the Jeep, I waved at Mindy. “Hey, how’d today go?”
    Mindy grinned, hoisting a tote bag with The Glass Slipper logo on the front. “I love my job,” she gushed. “Marie let me run the cash register all day, and then when she was teaching a customer how to cut the glass, she had me practice, as well. She said I’ve got a knack for working with the medium. Me, like a real artist or something.”
    â€œI’m so glad.” I glanced around the lot. “Your son picking you up?”
    Mindy shook her head. “I live in the apartments down the street. It’s a short walk.”
    â€œI can drop you off. I’m heading to get pizza, then back to South Cove.” I pointed to the Jeep.
    Mindy shook her head. “I’m fine. I need the exercise.” She started to walk away, then stopped, her face showing concern. “We’re meeting with the new coordinator next Monday. They didn’t take long to replace Ted.”
    â€œIs that a problem?”
    The woman shrugged. “I just hope the new guy doesn’t change up our assignments. I enjoy working for Marie. I’d hate to lose out on the experience.”
    â€œI’m sure they won’t move you out of a placement that’s working out. Marie seems to enjoy working with you.”
    â€œTed did. I’ve had four placements before The Glass Slipper. Each one, I went for two weeks, then Ted replaced me with another girl.” Mindy smiled, but the emotion didn’t match her eyes. “A young and pretty girl. I guess I was the test employee. If I liked the work, so would his favorites.”
    I didn’t know what to say. Mindy’s story matched Matt’s gossip with Darla. I rested my hand on the woman’s arm. “Well, it’s a good thing Ted isn’t making those decisions anymore. Maybe the new guy or gal will be more reliable.”
    Mindy nodded. “Thanks. I hope I see you next week.”
    As she walked away, her shoulders hunched and her spirits dragging, I heard her mumble, “And he could be worse.”
    Matt stood by an old rusted-out F-150 watching us. When I waved, he held up his hand, then climbed in and started the engine, blue smoke filling the parking lot. The rest of the group had already left, so I got into my Jeep and turned down the road to the pizza shop.
    Mindy’s final comment echoed in my ears. I made a mental note to stop by the work program first thing