Maybe in time, when she got to know Blaise better, she could offer to look into the scammer. If it really was a large sum, which Maude guessed it was, then the FBI would have handled the case. Unfortunately, even they rarely got anywhere with thesekinds of scammers. Of course, if the guy was smart, he’d have moved on and changed all of his information by now.
Then again, his score with Blaise might have made him cocky. He could think he was untouchable.
Maude’s eyes narrowed. Wouldn’t she like to show him otherwise.
She returned to her recliner and put her headphones on, getting her game up and logging on. She’d only play for an hour or so, maybe run a few raids with whoever was online, then she would get to work.
Cece’s son-in-law first. Then Sophie Says.
Maude couldn’t do much about Blaise’s scammer until the time was right. Blaise would have to share whatever information she had, but that didn’t stop Maude from thinking about it. She could do some searching, see if there was anything online about what had happened to Blaise. Maude doubted there would be.
It wasn’t the kind of thing a person would want made public. Especially not someone like Blaise. The internet was cruel. Maude could imagine the kind of response a story like that would generate.
No, she’d just have to wait until Blaise wanted the help.
Maude adjusted her mic so she could talk to her enclave. “Good evening, all.”
“Maude!”
She smiled at the joint response of her fellow gamers. “Who wants to raid some orc settlements?”
More cheers and a few hoots went up.
She laughed. This was a world she felt comfortable in, a place where she knew exactly what to do and how to do it. She’d been on the beta team forNightforge, so it was near and dear to her heart.
Navigating the real world wasn’t always so easy. She glanced at the note on the kitchen counter.
She’d deal with that tomorrow.
Chapter Fifteen
Paige woke up happier than she’d been in a while. The book club had gone exceptionally well. Maybe even better than she’d expected. The women had all been so open to the idea, and so willing to share.
This group was going to do good things for all of them. She could feel it.
Her heart sank a bit as she remembered the one guest who hadn’t been able to attend. Althea. Paige really needed to check in with her and see how her husband was. Lester, she believed his name was.
Paige’s plan was to bring Althea some flowers from the community florist, then go straight to the fitness center for a workout. After that, she’d run home to shower, change, and eat lunch. At one, she was going to the library for a lecture series that kicked off today.
She was very much looking forward to The Secret Lives of Famous Paintings. She loved history, loved art, and felt that learning new things was like exercise for the brain. The first lecture was on theMona Lisa, a painting she felt privileged to have seen many years ago in person.
Her ex-husband loved art. Maybe that should have been a clue.
Exercise clothing on, light makeup, simple jewelry, and she was out the door and on her way to the flower shop. Honeycomb Florist opened at nine, so she’d get there just as they unlocked the door. If they didn’t have anything suitable made up, she’d have something done while she waited.
Althea deserved something nice. And Paige wanted to stay in the woman’s good books.
Althea was something else. At eighty-seven, she was still going strong and on her fourth husband. Lester was seventy-eight, a testament to Althea’s vitality and spirit.
And maybe her money. Paige figured Althea might be the only woman in the Colony wealthier than herself. Her sons were the developers behind this community, and quite a few others across Florida.
But that wasn’t why Paige wanted Althea as a member of the book club. Althea had power and respect and knew everyone, which was impressive. Despite that, Paige never saw her with anyone but Lester.
Maybe that’s how Althea liked it. Just the two of them. Or maybe all the other women in the community were afraid of her. Or intimidated by her. Whatever you wanted to call it, but Paige thought Althea could use some friends.
Real friends. Friends she could lean on in times of trouble. Like right now, for instance.
She parked outside the shop and went in, happy to see the sign on the door was already flipped to OPEN.
