Chapter 24
Northern Minnesota
“Hello, Bill.” Helene leaned her head against the headboard of the bed in her hotel room as she spoke into the phone.
“Helene! What a surprise. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” She toyed with the ends of her hair.
“But you’re calling in the middle of the day. When my secretary said it was you, I got scared. Is something wrong?”
“No. I just want you to wire me some money.” Her voice wavered a bit as she tugged harder on her hair.
“Did you run short?” he said anxiously. “Use your credit cards. I’ll pay them off when the bills come in.”
“No, I need a lot of money.” She sat up on the bed and dangled her feet off the edge.
After a few moments, Bill said, “How much money?”
“Twenty thousand dollars.” A gulp formed in her throat as her foot drew nervous circles in
