The Bad Twin by Shelia Goss Page B

really now?”
    “Yes. So when I get back, just have the strawberries and champagne waiting.”
    “Slow your roll. By the time you get back. I’ll be having a visitor.”
    Marcus sighed as if disappointed. “Can it visit early, because I’m in heat?”
    Violet laughed. “No silly. You know it don’t work like that.”
    The phone crackled and Marcus said, “This phone keeps messing up.”
    “It’s a bad connection. Do you want me to call you right back?”
    “No, I’m getting off anyway. I just wanted to tell you I miss you and to let you know you’ve been on my mind constantly.”
    “I miss you too. Now hurry home, so I’ll have something to play with.”
    “You naughty girl. I’m going to tell your mama.”
    “If you do, the honey is off limits.”
    He laughed. “See you wrong. Okay. I’ll be quiet, as long as there is an endless supply of honey.”
    “Whatever. Bye.”
     
    ***
     
    The next morning, Violet arrived at the center early. She set everything up, so when Janice arrived, she could start outlining their strategy. They needed a plan to figure out the problem or they wouldn’t accomplish anything.  She would use her desk and she setup a laptop and an adding machine on the table in her office for Janice to use.
    “Good morning. I thought you would be here. I know you haven’t eaten, so I bought us both some bagels and juice.”
    Violet took the bagel and used a plastic knife to spread strawberry cream cheese over it. “Thanks. I was starving, but didn’t feel like going to get anything.”
    “I know you girl. So where do I begin?”
    For the next fifteen minutes, she went over what she needed Janice to do and how she wanted her to arrange things, so they both would be using the same method.
    They spent the next eight hours going through all of the files and formatting the information.  They took a break to enjoy the children’s party the center hosted and each went home to get some rest. They spent the next day, which was Saturday, comparing the data with that of the auditors.
    Violet wiped the sweat off of her forehead as she continued to go through the papers. “We’ve spent two days and still things are not adding up.”
    “Hold up Violet.”
    “What?”
    “I think I found it.” Janice jumped up and started doing the Cabbage Patch and sang, “I found it. I found it.”
    Violet took the paper she was holding out of her hand. “Where? Now show me.”
    “See we’ve been looking in this area, when all along it was in the miscellaneous funds area.”
    “How did the funds get moved over to miscellaneous, when they were originally broken down by each project?”
    “Looks like somebody has been playing monopoly with the center’s money.”
    “Yes, but who is that someone?”
    “I don’t know.”
    Violet blinked her eyes a few times and hung her head low. “I wish I did, because now there’s another problem. All evidence points towards me.”
     

26
    ROSE
     
    I’m so glad I extended my stay for a week. I thought I would be bored, but not having to rehearse or be at a shoot, has been so relaxing.  I’ve been spoiled.  I must bring the family down here for a vacation. Even Mama would have fun here. The tours have been well put together.  I really loved the snorkeling. I don’t know why I don’t have an aquarium at home as much as I love the ocean. Getting an aquarium will be the first thing on my agenda when I get back to the States.
    I will need an extra suitcase to fit all of the things I just bought. Tonight I’m going to the fiesta in the hotel.  I don’t know what to wear. I like this light blue floral wrap and I can just wear my sandals .
    ***
     
    Rose took a quick shower to freshen up. She coordinated her outfit with some jewelry she had purchased and found a pair of black sandals that matched the outline of the floral wrap.  She took a final look in the mirror. “This will have to do.” She touched her ears. “I love these big colorful earrings.”  She