He stops in his tracks, and a look of surprise covers his expression. “Impossible.”
I hold up the file for him to take. He looks it over quickly, his brows rising as he takes in the document. “How did this happen?” he asks.
Is it my imagination that Sam looks a little green around the gills? My eyes narrow, taking in his stance and expressions. Is that guilt I see or just concern that someone is siphoning off money from the business he’s put so much of his own time into?
He clears his throat, then asks, “Any idea who could’ve done this?”
“The information was just brought to my attention. Do you have any idea how something like this could happen?”
I’m asking because he’s in charge of accounting with Vera directly under him. I can’t see my best friend of years doing something like this… so that leaves the question of who.
“I’m not sure,” he says, loosening his tie. “I’ll look into it.”
“I appreciate it. I want to know where my money is going and who thought they would get away with stealing from me.”
I treat all my employees very well. I might be an arrogant ass, but I’m fair with my employees. They are all well compensated. Frustration suffuses my very bones, followed by anger. Someone got greedy, and I will find out who and why.
Sam leaves my office, and I pull up the spreadsheets from accounting and start to go through them, looking for any clues as to who could’ve done such a thing.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-THREE
OLIVE
I haven’t heardfrom Harrison all day which is unusual. Usually, he texts me long before now. I glance at the time again and then decide to call him. I can’t stand the idea of standing outside a restaurant waiting for a date that never shows up.
The phone rings twice before he answers.
“Hi!” I say, unable to hide my enthusiasm at hearing his voice. “How are you?”
“I’m fine.”
Ut oh, that doesn’t sound good. “An okay kind of fine or an I-don’t-want-to-talk-about-it fine?”
“The second one.”
“I’m sorry, is there anything I can do?” I ask, genuinely concerned.
“It’s just work stuff…”
“Well, I won’t keep you. I just wanted to check and see if we are still on for dinner tonight?”
He pauses for so long that I think for a moment he’s going to say no. I do my best to prepare for disappointment. The last several days we’ve seen each other but only because he’s come to my place late in the night after work. He’s been working so hard; I feel guilty even asking him about dinner.
“Yes, we’re still on,” he says, sounding happier than he did when I first called.
“Good… see you soon.” It takes me a great effort not to say more… like how excited I am to see him. How happy he makes me… any various number of things that are words of affection.
“See you soon, angel.”
Dinner is fantastic, but I can tell that Harrison is distracted.
“Do you want to talk about whatever it is that’s bothering you?” I finally ask, even though I know it’s none of my business.
He sighs and runs his hand through his hair. “Someone is embezzling money.”
My eyes widen, and my lips part in shock. That is not what I expected to hear. Harrison might be an exacting boss, but I know his employees love him because he treats them well and pays them what they deserve. Deb and I have talked about what it’s like working for James Financial, and she has nothing but good things to say about not only Harrison but how he runs his business. I can’t imagine anyone being unhappy enough to steal from him.
