Vengeance Is Mine by Joanne Fluke

two great big thugs like Herb and Norm. I’m trying to get Judge Wozniac. He put Norm away for six weeks last year. One count of drunk and disorderly, three counts of destruction of public property, and a DUI. All we need are a couple of good character witnesses for Brian. Men that look macho, with wives and kids, if you know what I mean.”
    â€œIs there anything new with Norm Ostrander?”
    â€œHe’s still on the critical list, but I wouldn’t worry about it. Guys like Norm are too mean to die. He’ll probably be out picking another fight before Brian even comes to trial.”
    â€œI hope you’re right.” Michele zipped her jacket and moved toward the door. “Give a good interview, Dale. I’m counting on you.”
    It was a little past ten when Michele got to Dan Marsh’s Coffee Shop. Steve was saving a booth in the back. Michele hung her jacket on a hook and slid across the red plastic cushions.
    â€œSorry I’m running late, Steve. Have you been waiting long?”
    â€œJust long enough to order you a hot caramel roll and a cup of coffee. You look great, Michele. I expected you to have dark circles under your eyes.”
    Michele felt her cheeks warm in a blush. It was a good thing Steve hadn’t seen her earlier. It had taken two coats of foundation to cover the circles Steve had expected, but she certainly didn’t have to tell him that.
    The waitress hurried over to their booth, balancing their order on her arm. “Anything else for you today?”
    â€œIf Esther’s back there, tell her I want eggs and bacon, the usual way. Michele?”
    â€œOh, this is fine for me.” Michele looked down at her huge caramel roll. It had to be at least 500 calories, and that was a conservative estimate. She’d have to watch what she ate for the rest of the day, or she’d never be able to get into the new dress her mother had sent her. Of course, she could eat just half, but that called for more willpower than she possessed.
    â€œSugar?”
    Steve smiled as she nodded. He poured two heaping teaspoons of sugar into her coffee, and Michele added another 40 calories to her mental tally.
    â€œBrian caught me just as I was leaving the office. He wants the whole WinterGame committee to come over for dinner tonight. Beef Stroganoff. We’re supposed to meet at his house at seven.”
    â€œBrian’s Stroganoff is heavenly.” Michele picked up her coffee and took a sip. So: 540 calories for breakfast plus another 2,000 if Brian served his usual feast. That was about 1,400 over her self-imposed limit. She’d have to starve tomorrow.
    A plate of Land O’ Lakes butter patties rested next to the caramel roll. Michele unwrapped two and let them melt over the top of her caramel roll. In for a penny, in for a pound. Suddenly her diet wasn’t important anymore. She’d be spending the evening with Steve.
    Michele used her fork to cut off a piece of roll and sighed as she popped it into her mouth. The caramel stuck to her teeth. Dan Marsh’s rolls were messy to eat and worth every calorie. She gave Steve a rapturous smile and crossed her fingers under the table, something she’d done as a child when she was telling a lie.
    â€œI really hate to bother you, Steve, but my car’s not working. Do you suppose you could pick me up tonight?”
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    Mother Superior frowned and clasped her hands together. They had just seen the in-depth report about Brian Nordstrom’s fight.
    â€œI just can’t believe that sweet boy did anything wrong. He looked so nice on the television. I think someone made a dreadful mistake.”
    â€œYou may be right, Mother.” Sister Kate nodded. “I’ve heard a lot about Herb Swanson and Norm Ostrander. They went to St. Mary’s Parochial. Sister Margaret said they were always the rowdiest boys in her class.”
    Monsignor Wickes licked his lips. “And they were