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“The woman who came to us said she paid her for a”—Kushner did air quotes—“séance, but when she arrived at her house, Ms Kent told her she never received the check, and requested cash instead Then a inal check was cashed, and when she called to complain, Ms Kent’s phone number was disconnected”

“Roxanna doesn’t do séances,” Tessa said

Took the words right out of his mouth But the twelve-hundred dollars…

“That’s just the tip of the iceberg,” the detective warned “All we need is one thing to connect her to the hotline, and we’ve got her”

Now Loyal’s jaw clenched hard as he shook his head in denial Twoway

He paced toward the register Kushner barked at hiainst the wall next to Tessa The clock dragged on as they watched the search

“Rox didn’t do anything,” Tessa muttered after a bit “This is bullshit”

“I agree” In fact—he pulled his phone from his pocket

Kushner immediately turned from the door “Sorry, but no phone calls”

“Not even to my lawyer?”

The detective’s eyes narrowed “Why would you need a lawyer?”

“It’s not for uy just as a loud exclamation came from out in the back hall Roxanna was back

“Ohin her voice “What happened?”

“Which one of you is Roxanna Kent?” the officer outside asked

“I a happen at the bakery?”