Free Molly Dox - Annie Addison 03 - High Anxiety Dye Job by Molly Dox Page A

She puts on a good front, but from what I’ve seen they look pretty happy. Now we know why he’s smiling, and it’s not because of Gretchen.” Charlotte commented in hushed tones.
    “Shh,” Annie said, quieting her friend. “Someone might hear you.”
    Charlotte sat like a scolded child. She knew Annie had been on edge lately, after everything that had taken place recently, so she behaved for the time being.

Chapter 2
     
    Gretchen Wylie arrived precisely at three o’clock. She should have slipped in an appointment earlier in the week, but time seemed to have gotten away from her. “Hey, Annie, how are things going?”
    “ Good. How are you today?” Annie asked.
    “I’m still tired from last night’s award dinner. I wish they’d have given us a little more notice, but you know how Sharon is, always looking for ways to dig into people’s pockets for more money. At least there was wine. It made the gloating bearable.”
    Annie couldn’t help but notice the dig at the mayor’s wife. “You looked great, if it’s any consolation.”
    “I would have looked better if I had gotten a touch-up, but time slipped away from me. I’m ready now.” Gretchen looked in the mirror, leaning in closer, noting the new grays that had made an appearance. “And my poor husband has to look at me like this.”
    “How is Chief Wylie doing?” She almost choked on the words, not wanting to say a peep about what she’d seen the night before. There was part of her that wanted to share the news, and let Gretchen know she was married to a two-timer, but Annie was afraid of getting involved in anything after the last few months she’d had.
    “He’s fine, just always about business. That man would live at the police station if I let him. I think he misses the action out on the street. It’s a good job, but you know, his dad was pushing for it.” She flicked a piece of nail polish off the corner of one or her nails. “I haven’t seen him much lately, but that’s how it goes.”
    “I just need to mix up your color and I’ll be right back,” Annie said.
    “Sure thing, I need to make a quick call anyway. Take your time.”
    Annie went into the backroom to get the hair dye mixed to the right shade.
    “…so if he thinks he can…” Gretchen glanced up into the mirror mid-sentence, seeing Annie walking back. She composed herself quickly. “I’ve got to go. I’ll talk to you about this later. Not a word to anyone. Promise?”
    “Is everything okay?” Annie hated to ask. She knew what she saw the previous night and a piece of her felt like she should say something. It’s just that last time she got involved in something, it became a complete mess. It’s not my business, pretend like you don’t know anything . She closed her eyes for a second and then re-opened them.
    “Fine .” Her tone was flat. “Why do you ask?”
    “No reason, just the call.” Annie shrugged. She was just as happy to drop it as Gretchen.
    “I should have waited until I left. How rude of me. I’m sorry.” She covered quickly.
    “No problem at all.” Annie was about to bring up another topic when Gretchen did it for her. Annie’s mind raced. Does she know about her husband and Sharon? Is she turning a blind eye? Did she just find out?
    “Didn’t Jeff look fabulous last night? That new workout regimen he’s on has really paid off. I can understand why he was looking for photo -ops. He looks at least ten years younger. Not that his wife can keep up. All the sun, poor dear, not enough sunblock, her creases are getting deeper.” Gretchen got cattier by the moment.
    Annie wondered how Gretchen would feel knowing that ‘old lady’ she was speaking of had caught the eye of her own husband. She tried to push it from her mind. It wasn’t easy, it kept popping back in.
    “Now , Jeff has been a delight and positive influence on this island. It’s such a shame his wife is such a social climber. You’d think it would be enough to be the