Frankie knew that Kendall was putting on a brave front, but she also knew that the invitation was sincere. “We'll definitely be there. We wouldn't miss it.”
* * * *
Johanna finished her sandwich, crumpled her wrappings, and tossed them into the wastepaper basket. “We have a few summonses to deliver for the Layman Legal Firm,” Johanna said. “Do you want to pick them up after you've finished eating?”
“We might as well,” Frankie said. “We have no clue when Alec will call. He has our cell phone numbers if anything urgent comes up.” She stretched. “I can't wait until Thatcher gets taken down. I've been on pins and needles wondering what's going on.”
“I'd love to be there to see the look on his face.” She grinned. “He won't know what hit him.”
The door opened and Kate walked inside. Frankie was surprised to see her and thought maybe she'd come because of the abrupt way she'd left on Saturday. “Good afternoon, Kate. On your lunch break?”
“Unfortunately I'm here on official business.” She walked over to their desks. “I need the both of you to come to the sheriff's office.”
“Why?” Johanna asked drawing her brows together.
“George will explain everything to you when you get there,” she replied.
“Tell him we'll stop over later. We have a few things to take care of this afternoon,” Frankie said.
“Look, you need to come now. It can't wait until later. Please don't make this any worse than it already is,” Kate insisted. “It's urgent.”
“Does he have something he needs us to do for him?” Johanna asked.
“No, it's nothing like that.”
“Then tell him we'll be there at the end of the day. We have some work to complete.”
“If I were you two I wouldn't blow this off,” Kate warned. “I'm hoping you'll come on your own accord. I'm trying to save you any embarrassment.”
“Embarrassment? What the hell are you talking about, Kate?” Frankie asked. “Are we in some type of trouble?”
“I can't get into it, but George needs to question you about the numerous arson fires.”
Frankie began to laugh. “You're kidding, right?” When Kate made no response Frankie extended her elbow on her desk propping her right cheek on the palm of her hand as she studied Kate. “You're not kidding, are you?” The distress in Kate's eyes was evident.
Kate tossed her pretty head. “I wish I was. You have to admit that anyone who didn't know you two would find it suspicious. The fires were set at every strip mall you were at. The surveillance tapes don't lie. You were there.”
Johanna threw her head back and laughed, too. “Come on, Kate. You can't seriously believe that Frankie and I had anything to do with setting those fires.”
Kate shook her head. “Of course I don't believe it.” She shifted from one foot to the other. “George needs to talk to the both of you, though. He's under a lot of pressure.”
“What about the police? He's working in conjunction with them.”
“No suspects. Except—”
“Except us.” Frankie grunted. “I don't believe this. George has known us all these years and he thinks we could do something like this?”
“I didn't say that,” Kate replied.
Frankie fumed. “You don't have to. It explains the chilly exit you three made on Saturday.”
Kate opened her mouth, but then quickly closed it.
“When does he need to see us?” Johanna asked. “We are busy today. We were just ready to head out before you came in.”
“Right now. I'm not joking. That's why I'm here...to bring you to the office.”
* * * *
Johanna scowled as she glared at George. “I can't believe that you of all people, George Ryker, think that Frankie and I set those fires. What motive could we possibly have? It's a ridiculous and unfounded accusation.”
George looked hard at her before pushing his chair back from his desk. He placed his hands palms down on the edge of his desk and pulled his hefty body to his feet. “I need some coffee. Johanna? Frankie? Can I get you ladies some?”
Frankie shook her head.
Coffee? After he practically accused them of a crime that could destroy their lives and put them in prison for years? Was he kidding? “No, thanks,” Johanna replied coldly as she turned her head and looked at Frankie who sat stone-faced. She stiffly crossed a leg over her knee. She was pissed. What Johanna couldn't figure out was why Frankie was so quiet. Normally she would have exploded at George's insinuation. But she just sat looking like the life had been sucked out of her. Johanna's own emotions were fluctuating between anger and hurt. She felt like she'd just been kicked in the stomach. She watched George cross the floor to his desk with a large steaming mug of coffee in his hand. He exhaled loudly after he'd resettled himself in his chair.
“Explain to me what you two were doing at the Kramer Insurance Company, the Bronson Hotel, Biggs Sporting Goods, and Easten Bridal Shop.”
“We told you.” Johanna's temper was mounting. “How many times are you going to ask us? Dammit, George. We're doing surveillance work.”
“What the hell is really going on?” Frankie demanded, finally breaking her silence. “My patience is wearing very thin, George. I'm on thin ice here. If you're going to charge us with something, then do it now.”
Johanna knew that if they were arrested they'd be seeking Alec Oakman's services. She wondered if anyone else was suspect besides them. It stood to reason that Thatcher and Kristin should be suspects since they were also at the same places.
“Who hired you?” George demanded. “We can clear this up right away if you work with me instead of against me.”
“This has gone far enough!” Frankie rose. “Unless you're preparing to arrest us, we have work to do! Come on, Johanna.”
Johanna stood. Frankie's jaw was set and her slanted steely eyes bored into George. She waited for Frankie's lead. Frankie continued to stare George down.
Johanna noticed how George sat calmly as though they were having one of their normal
