*
At long last, the house was quiet and Teresa could go to her room. She considered looking to see if Mathew had come back for a swim, but she really didn't want to see him again. Instead, she bolted her door, checked to make certain her gun was still there, and then sat on the bed.
Her heart was truly broken. Teresa lay on her side, pulled her knees up to her chest, and wept.
*
"Hurricanes on the east coast, earthquakes on the west, we might as well go fishing in the Rocky Mountains after this case," Michael moaned.
"It was just a little earthquake in California," Jackie said. It was early morning, she was already dressed and sitting at the table in front of her laptop.
"Yeah, well I hope never to see another one, not even a little one. They scare me." He filled his coffee cup, brought it to the table, and sat down. "Are you thinking temp agencies?"
"I wasn't, but I am now. She sold paintings, but I doubt she made enough to support herself. Find a list here in Denver and you can hack into one temp agency while I call some of the others."
"It's Saturday, don't forget."
"I know, but there might be someone there."
"Someone who can't give out that kind of information?"
"You're right. Okay, I'll see what I can find on some of the job sites." She clicked on her search engine icon.
"And by the time we are completely exhausted this evening, you'll be saving the last dance for me."
Jackie loudly exhaled. "That's right, the ball is tonight."
"Oh gosh," Michael mocked, "I forgot to get my hair done."
"Are you implying I should go get mine done?"
"Not at all, I love it all messed up like that."
Jackie rolled her eyes. "Work, Michael, work!" Even so, she got up, went to the bathroom and looked at herself in the mirror. She should have made a hair appointment, but it was too late now.
*
Laura slept late as usual, and Teresa didn't wake her. However, when Laura was up and eating lunch, she decided she wanted to wear a wig to the ball, which left no time at all to get it washed and styled at a beauty shop. Instead, Teresa washed and dried it, and then tried to style it the best she could. She surveyed her work and decided it would have to do. Laura was being very good. She only had one drink after lunch and held still while Teresa painted her long fingernails with white satin polish.
As evening drew near, Teresa encouraged her to take a long shower, helped her into her robe and then sat her down at her dressing table.