"So they kicked you out," Tess Graver said into her cell phone, her breath labored from jogging.
Uncle Gordon sputtered, "I tell ya, I'm fine. And now that I got 'em to put a cast on my leg, I'll prove it. You didn't have to quit your fancy pants job in Charlotte just to come babysit me."
Tess slowed; she'd run close to three miles. "Let's talk about that later. I'll see you after supper, once I've showered, and then tomorrow morning I'll spring you from the hospital."
After a few more "Hmphs!" Tess's great uncle hung up. She'd have to tell him about the thefts at Magnusson's Department Stores soon enough, but not over the cell phone while jogging. The situation at her last job had affected her more than she would have thought. She'd been under suspicion for a few weeks. Even after she was cleared of all wrongdoing, her fellow workers had withdrawn, and the odd looks had kept on coming her way.
She could no longer manage the Finer Footwear department under those ...
read full excerpt from Danger in a Small Town ebook
