Chapter 5
Circle of Trust
Ellen wrinkled her nose as she stepped through. The fire that had gutted half the businesses in the downtown complex had stopped just short of the jewelry and gem shop, but there had been smoke and water damage. The place still smelled like burnt hair and plastic. Katie and Penny followed closely, and Penny swept the door closed behind them before Susan could come down and stumble upon the strange scene her open front door would have presented.
“We’re here,” Katie called out, and they heard a startled shout from the showroom.
A moment later, Michael poked his head through the doorway to the back room once devoted to the bins and displays of raw minerals and uncut stones that Zoe loved so much, but which was now stacked high with boxes waiting to be unpacked.
