Change of Heart Read Free

Georgina appeared once more in the doorway. Her perfectly tweezed brows drew downward.
    Evelyn’s throat went dry.
    “Who are you?” Georgina’s superiority permeated the air.
    “Georgina, I think it’s best if we cut the luncheon short.”
    “We haven’t even begun the meeting,” Georgina said. “The others are still eating.”
    “Georgina, please.” Evelyn practically pushed her out of the room, wishing she would just take a hint already. Her mind spun with possible scenarios. Why on earth was the FBI in her living room? And was there any way to get these ladies out without having to answer a million questions?
    “Evelyn, I don’t like the idea of leaving you alone here,” Georgina said as they returned to the dining room. “Ladies, there are two strangers who’ve just barged into Evelyn’s house. I think we need to get to the bottom of this.”
    Evelyn sighed. “They’re from the FBI.”
    A collective gasp filled the room.
    “What do they want with you?” Susan Hayes asked, rising from the table.
    “I don’t know,” Evelyn said. “I haven’t found out yet. Please go and let me call you all later.”
    “We should stay,” Georgina argued.
    “No.” Evelyn’s tone was firm for once. “Please go.”
    These women were really only here to help Christopher’s political career, and whatever the FBI wanted, she had a feeling it wasn’t going to be very helpful.
    Evelyn suspected that before she discovered why the FBI was sitting on her sofa, Georgina and the others would have a litany of false explanations floating around town. She ushered them out, dismissed the caterer, and returned to the room where she’d left the agents.
    “Do you know why we’re here?” Agent Todd asked.
    Evelyn shook her head. “You said it was about Christopher.”
    “Where is your husband now?” Agent Marnetti asked. She stood near the windows.
    “Denver. They’re in session. He’s a Colorado state senator. He was elected three years ago. He worked hard to get where he is.” She was rambling.
    Something passed between the two agents in a silent exchange.
    “What is it?” Evelyn folded her hands in her lap, feeling a rush of anxiety rise to the surface.
    “This is quite the house you have here, Mrs. Brandt.” Agent Marnetti walked toward the fireplace. “Is this marble?” She ran a hand along the mantel   —a mantel most women would love. Evelyn had never cared for it. She’d tried her best to add personal touches   —Christopher had allowed her to give three photos of the two of them to his decorator, a regal woman whose accent sounded like a cross between Britain and the Upper East Side. The photos stared at her from the mantel now.
    “How do you suppose your husband paid for such a lavish home, Mrs. Brandt?” Agent Marnetti asked as she picked up a framed wedding photo.
    “Would you mind telling me why you’re here?” Evelyn stared at the agents. She had a right to know, didn’t she?
    The two officials exchanged another telling glance. Agent Marnetti looked away.
    Agent Todd turned toward Evelyn. “We believe Senator Brandt has been embezzling money from the state.”
    Evelyn’s stomach twisted. “That’s not possible.”
    “We have evidence,” Agent Marnetti said. “Lots of evidence. And we think it started long before he became a state senator.”
    Christopher adored Loves Park. Serving in city government had been a point of pride for him. Surely there’d been a mistake   —he would never do anything to jeopardize his future.
    Their future.
    “I’d like to call my husband.”
    “There will be time for that, but right now we’re going to have to ask you to step outside.”
    “Why?”
    “We need to look around. Determine your involvement in your husband’s crimes.”
    “ My involvement? I don’t even know what you’re talking about.” Evelyn’s fingers were cold, like they always felt when she was nervous.
    “Then you have nothing to worry about,” Agent Todd said, his