Page 96 (1/1)

"I' a little old to chase skirts these days"

Jackie set the package on the coffee table and went to the kitchen to get a knife "I never thought I'd hear that"

Michael followed her first to the kitchen,rooray, ht bea ca hands as theto Paris"

"Paris? Do they have ait apart He folded the flaps outward, reached inside, and handed her a cellophane wrapped, pink velvet, floor-length gown "My favorite"

She laughed "I know"

Michael wrinkled his brow "Are you trying to please me suddenly?"

"I need to try this on," she said as she headed for the bedrooained a few pounds"

"I like you a little plump," he whispered as she closed the bedroo, and talking with Laura, Teresa had beco way behind, but what did she care? She wasn't going to be there ht her attention to Laura was odd, they didn't say anything

Mathew still hadn't coe to his wife Laura was used to it, but Teresa found it unsettling It was i home or not, so she wouldn't be interrupted the next time she opened the safe She checked and his swimsuit wasn't wet, so when Laura settled down to watch an afternoon show on television, Teresa decided to take a chance

She pushed the vacuum down the hall, knocked on Mathew's bedroom door, and waited for an answer There was none She cautiously opened the door "Mr Connelly? I've co in his room was exactly the same as it had been the day before, and as near as she could tell, the bed had not been slept in Teresa looked for a place to plug in the vacuum, turned it on, wheeled it to the wall safe and left it running She quickly moved the picture out of the way, turned the coain opened

Next, she found several staten bank, pulled a small notepad out of her pocket, and jotted down the account number It was then she spotted a checkbook for the same account Teresa smiled, put her notepad away and made sure there were several blank checks left She counted the cash, put it back, and then opened the last document It was a French birth certificate that listed the baby's naia Marie James The mother's name was Laura Connelly, but the certificate said the father was unknown