“You two had history.”
“He ruined my life.But I wouldn’t let him ruin it further by killing him, if that’s what you’re after.”
The answer came too fast and anger laced each word.He clearly wasn’t over what had happened to him.
“Tell me about that,” Connor said.
Derek looked at his hands.“I worked for him and Ray.Office assistant at first, then handling accounts, contracts, deposits.I was good at it.Then money went missing from the safe.Warren said he had proof it was me.”
“Did he?”
“No.”
Connor glared at him.“The court disagreed.”
He shook his head.“Court believed people with better suits and more money.Imagine that.”
Connor kept writing.“You took him to civil court and lost, that says the evidence went against you.”
“Yeah.And after I lost, nobody would touch me.You know what this community’s like.Once someone saysthief, it sticks.”
“Maggie hired you, at least.”
Derek glanced toward the counter.“Maggie was a saint for giving me a chance.”
Connor followed his gaze.Maggie pretended to arrange cups.
“Why would Warren accuse you if you didn’t do it?”
“I don’t know.”
“He must have had a reason.”
Derek leaned closer, lowering his voice.“I saw debt letters when I worked for him.”
“What kind?”
“Late notices.Final demands.Stuff from private lenders, too, not just banks.Warren wasn’t as rich as he made out.He was juggling money.Moving it around.I think he wanted me gone because I saw things I shouldn’t have.”
“You think he stole from his own safe?”Connor asked, feeling like he was pulling on a worthwhile thread.
Derek took a deep breath.“I think he took the cash, blamed me, and got rid of the one employee who knew he was in trouble.”
“Did Ray know about that?”
“I don’t know.Ray was around, but Warren controlled the books on that side.”
“Did you ever confront Warren after losing the case?”
“Once.Outside the courthouse.”
“What happened?”
“I told him he’d pay for what he did.I said it, but I didn’t mean it.Ray’s got more grudges than a porcupine has needles, he’s the one you should ask.”
Connor straightened up.“That’s a threat, though.”
Derek held his gaze, frightened now but not backing away.“I meant legally.Or through God.Or karma.Whatever you want to call it.I didn’t mean I’d shoot him.”
