Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 126823 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 634(@200wpm)___ 507(@250wpm)___ 423(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126823 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 634(@200wpm)___ 507(@250wpm)___ 423(@300wpm)
“Thanks for coming.” She pitched her voice low—a conspirator’s whisper. “I need to talk to you about important information I found out about the murders but didn’t want to take a chance on anyone overhearing us.”
Felicity glanced around the café and then her gaze settled on Raine. She flashed a smile. “Oh, you’re here as well.”
Raine nodded, her expression solemn.
“The thing is, this is the best place I could think of where no one will be lurking around.” Shabina bit her lower lip. “I do have security cameras in here, quite a few of them. Lawyer installed cameras for me when I started getting harassed by Bale, Sean and their friends.”
Eve scowled. “Those men are so obnoxious to you. I was really happy when your fiancé threw Bale out.”
“I was too.” Once more, Shabina glanced up at one of the cameras. “I don’t know, maybe we shouldn’t talk in here either. There’s audio. The cameras aren’t manned, meaning no one looks at the feed unless we have an incident.” More lip biting and indecision.
“What’s this about, Shabina?” Eve asked. “You’re very nervous.”
“I know. You both are observant. You had to have seen the various men coming to the café from the Middle East. The students.” Again, she hesitated then lowered her voice another octave. “This is about the murders.”
“The cameras aren’t a big deal,” Felicity said. “I’d like to hear what information you have.”
“Me too,” Eve said.
Raine interrupted. “I’m starving, Shabina. It smells so good in here.”
“I fixed something for us to eat,” Shabina said. “I knew I was interrupting your dinner and you’d all be hungry. Give me just a second and I’ll get us plates.”
She didn’t wait for the sisters to agree but hurried through the café to the kitchen. Felicity and Eve sat at the table with Raine.
“These last few weeks have been hell for Shabina,” Raine disclosed, keeping her voice low. “You know she was kidnapped when she was only fifteen and held for a year and a half in the Middle East.”
“That was so brave of her to tell that man and the senator they couldn’t come into her café,” Eve said. “The things she went through sounded horrific. I was so glad she stood up to him.”
“Me too. It’s been a long road for her recovery,” Raine said. “And then these last few weeks made things come crashing back.” She leaned closer to them, her gaze on the kitchen. “It appeared as if someone was trying to frame her for the murders.”
Felicity gasped and pulled back, one hand covering her mouth while she exchanged a horrified look with Eve. “You said that before, but I didn’t really think it could be true. Who would do that? And who would believe that Shabina could possibly be involved in murder?” Eve demanded.
“That’s ludicrous,” Felicity agreed. “Absolutely ludicrous. Shabina is the kindest person I know. Seriously, if that had been me Bale Landry said those things to, refusing to pay, breaking my dishes, I probably would have stuck a fork in his heart.”
“When Shabina started to cry, I got up with my plate in my hand,” Eve said. “I was prepared to bash him right over the head.”
“Someone needs to knock some sense into him,” Raine agreed. “If it weren’t for my leg…” She broke off as Shabina came out of the kitchen, carrying all four plates, two resting on each arm. “Wow, girl.” Raine raised her voice. “You’re such a pro. I would drop all that food.”
A reluctant smile took some of the tension from Shabina’s face. “Patsy is amazing at handling multiple dishes. I’m not up to her expertise.”
“I couldn’t do what you’re doing,” Eve defended her staunchly. She looked a little militant as she rose to help. “I’ll get the drinks you put on the counter for us.”
“Thank you, Eve.” Shabina gave her an even bigger, more genuine smile. “I hope you both enjoy this vegetarian lasagna. I know you like lasagna and thought it would be fine to serve a vegetarian dish so Raine could eat it too.”
“It smells wonderful,” Felicity said.
Eve set a basket of bread in the middle of the table after she placed drinks in front of each person. Shabina had remembered they preferred iced tea in the evening.
“There’s plenty of garlic bread, so we’ll all have to eat some in case it gives us garlic breath,” Eve said, laughing.
They each began eating before Felicity brought up the reason they were there. “Shabina, I know you’re distressed over whatever information you have on the murders. If you want to share it, we’re listening.”
“It’s not so much that I want to share it as I need to.” Shabina put down her fork and sank back in her chair as if the weight of her knowledge was too much of a burden to bear. “I’m going to have to give you a little background on what’s been going on.”