Kitabı oku: «Caught!», sayfa 3

“What exactly is the problem?”

“A little matter of internal embezzlement. A former employee used his position to siphon funds from the company. The theft occurred mostly in insubstantial amounts, so it was hard to notice. I knew it was him, and I fired him on the spot, but of course I can’t accuse him officially without solid evidence. Finding proof is taking some doing. You know how difficult it can be to trace numbers. However, I believe we finally have him nailed. We should be able to wrap things up any day now.”

“What kind of evidence do you have?” Keeping his tone so mild, so bland, was more than difficult when he wanted to grab Cliff and slam his fist in his mouth. He wanted to force him to admit it was all a scam. Wade couldn’t be guilty.

Except…Cliff didn’t look as though he was scamming. He looked smugly confident. It shook Dillon.

“My lawyers have advised me not to discuss the case.

Suffice it to say, when we go to court, we won’t lose.” He pushed a button on the intercom, then requested that Laura bring in coffee. Cliff stacked some files and turned to face Dillon. “The others will be joining me soon, but I wanted to talk with you for a minute or two first. Virginia interrupted us downstairs. But now is as good a time as any.”

This was curious. Dillon considered telling Cliff why Virginia had interrupted, about the cut brake lines, but decided against it. Cliff could be the very one who had tampered with Virginia’s car. At the moment, he wasn’t willing to put family loyalty to the test, especially not in Cliff’s case.

Dillon hid his thoughts well as he gave Cliff his attention. “I didn’t realize we were having a meeting. Is your sister invited to this one?”

“Hell no.” Cliff chuckled. “I try to keep her as much out of the way as possible. You’ve seen firsthand how offensive she can be. No, the meeting is about expanding the downtown operation.”

Not again, Dillon thought, tired of that tune and trying to explain to an idiot that opening an outlet downtown was a waste of funds. Unless the entire area was revamped, Cliff would be better off withdrawing and investing his money on renovations elsewhere. Though Virginia had told Cliff that countless times, it didn’t take someone with her business sense to see it. Dillon had backed up her reasoning, on a security level. Cliff wasn’t listening.

“You know how I feel about that, Cliff. I can upgrade all the systems there, hire good people to work in shifts, but it won’t do you any good. Even without the petty theft, which is rampant and you know it, that store is a money hog. There’s not enough business to warrant the effort.”

Cliff gestured with his hand, looking distracted and annoyed. “That’s not what I want to speak to you about. No, I want to talk to you about my sister.”

Dillon turned his back to look out the third-story windows. Below him was human congestion, smog and noise. The sides of the street were piled high with blackened snow and sludge. Traffic flowed, the same traffic Virginia had almost encountered, without brakes. He shuddered.

He hated being here in Delaport City on this ridiculous ruse. He wanted to be home again, listening to his father grumbling and recounting all his old adventures. This didn’t feel like an adventure. This felt like one huge mistake. “You want to talk about your sister? What about her?”

“I, ah, know from your file that your expertise includes surveillance.”

“My expertise covers a lot of activities that aren’t exactly part of a legitimate job résumé, especially not for the position you hired me for. I only gave you a few facts because I figured you’d need something to recommend me.” The information was accurate, just in case Cliff had the sense to look, which Dillon wasn’t certain of. But Virginia would have checked, of that he had no doubt. So he’d supplied the names of the few companies he’d ever worked for. Like his father, he could ferret out trouble—or cause it. With equal success, according to who was paying the most. It wasn’t a trait he felt any particular pride over. Just a way of survival.

“Virginia insisted on checking into your employment background. She was impressed, which says a lot, even though your lack of consistency with any one job concerned her. Has she ever spoken to you about it?”

Dillon still faced the window. He was afraid if he looked at Cliff, all his anger would show. “No. Other than a few casual exchanges, we’ve never spoken.”

“Excellent! Then she’ll never suspect you.”

“Suspect me of what?” He did turn to Cliff now. “What is it you want me to do?”

“I want you to spy on her, of course. She’s up to something, seeing someone. God only knows what that woman’s capable of.”

Dillon grunted. He knew she was capable of making grown men cower, of scaring off any advances, of isolating herself completely with her sharp tongue and smothering arrogance. She was also capable of making him burn red-hot.

Was she capable of making an enemy who would wish her harm?

Dillon shook his head, feeling his tension simmer once again. “What do you mean, she’s seeing someone?”

“The other night at the party, I caught her sneaking back into the kitchen.”

With a dry look, Dillon said, “I can’t imagine Virginia sneaking anywhere. It’s not in her nature.”

“No, you’re right. She strutted back into the house, bold as you please, when she’d been out there conspiring with someone against me.”

Dillon pulled out a chair and straddled it. Cliff’s stupidity never ceased to amaze him. “Conspiring? How do you know she wasn’t with a lover?”

He grinned. “That’s exactly what she said! How about that—you two share a similar sense of humor.”

Dillon heard a noise and looked up. Laura Neil stood in the doorway, holding a tray with fresh coffee and two mugs. Dillon wondered how long she’d been standing there, but then decided it didn’t matter. He was more interested in the way the woman watched Cliff, sheer adoration clouding her eyes.

Cliff nodded to her and she entered. She leaned close to him while she poured the coffee, and asked if they needed anything else. Every so often, her gaze darted to Dillon. He almost felt sorry for her. It was obvious she was infatuated with Cliff, and just as obvious that Cliff had used his position to take advantage of her. To Dillon’s mind, it was one more reason to despise Virginia’s brother.

Cliff dismissed Laura. Dillon sipped from his cup, waiting. He knew his silence would annoy Cliff, so therefore his patience was its own reward.

After only a few seconds, Cliff exploded. “Well? What do you say?”

Dillon glanced at him over his mug. “To what? You haven’t asked me anything yet.”

“Oh, for…Will you check into it? Find out what Virginia is up to and who she’s involved with?”

“What’s in it for me?”

“A five-hundred-dollar bonus. Twice that if you come up with something concrete.”

The irony of it amused Dillon—that Cliff would be paying Dillon to spy on himself. But the little bastard was also spying on his sister, and Dillon’s suspicions were growing. He didn’t trust Cliff, not at all.

Dillon let Cliff wait while he pretended to think things over. Of course he’d agree to do it. It made perfect sense. If he was checking into things, Cliff wouldn’t be hiring someone else who would get in his way.

Dragging out the inevitable, and hoping for any tidbit of information that might help him, Dillon asked, “Any clues at all who it might be? Any leads?”

“Just the obvious. The guy must be someone who could benefit Virginia in some way, someone in the company who might be able to sway votes.”

From what he’d heard, Virginia always won every vote, so that theory didn’t make sense. He refrained from pointing that out to Cliff. “Anything else?”

Cliff shrugged. “The guy’s most likely passive, ineffectual, a spineless sort. You know how Virginia is. She’d never be able to get a man like you to put up with her carping and demands for some scheme of hers. And Virginia insists on complete obedience. She wouldn’t accept any defiance.”

Dillon couldn’t help himself; he grinned. “So I’m looking for a wimp?” The description was apt.

“Yes, but a wimp with connections. Someone who could do her some good.”

“But you’re a hundred percent positive she’s not involved in a personal relationship she just doesn’t want you to know about?”

Cliff was already shaking his head. “Not Virginia. Men are interested in her for one reason—to use her. And I’d want to know about that, too. Even though she’s sworn she’ll never marry, I have to protect her from those sorts. She’s too abrasive and too overweight to attract anyone with genuine feelings. She’d only end up hurt, or hurting the company.”

Abruptly, Dillon came to his feet. One more second with the loving brother and he’d throw him out the damn window. “I’ll check into things.” He crossed to the door, then turned back. “By the way, Virginia had some brake trouble today.” He watched Cliff closely, waiting.

“Oh?”

“She’s all right, but her car’s out of commission for a while. I gave her the company car to use.”

Cliff waved a hand, already distracted, as he gathered together the notes for his meeting. “That’s fine.”

Dillon clenched his jaw. He hadn’t been asking for permission, but rather watching for a reaction. He didn’t get one.

He jerked the door open and started out, saying over his shoulder, “I’m taking the rest of the day off. I’ll be in touch later.”

Cliff didn’t argue. He couldn’t have anyway. Dillon had already slammed the door.

chapter 4

VIRGINIA HAD JUST hung up the phone when the rap sounded on her office door. She glanced up, frustrated by the way her day had gone. First the problems with her car, then her run-in with Cliff. And her meeting hadn’t gone at all well. Today was not her day, and she was tired. A hot bath and a long night’s sleep seemed just the cure.

“Come in.”

Dillon stuck his head in the door. “You about ready to head home?”

As always, one glance into those sinfully dark eyes turned her insides warm and jittery. With every minute that passed, she anticipated her day alone with him more. “Mmm. I was just about to call a cab. What’s up?”

She didn’t particularly relish the idea of doing any more business tonight, but for Dillon, she’d make an exception. Spending time with him was seldom a hardship.

He stepped into her office and closed the door behind him. His features were etched in a frown. Virginia sighed, knowing why he’d come by. “If you’re here to tell me about Cliff’s plans to rework the downtown office, I’ve heard all about it.”

Dillon stiffened. “It’s not my job to tattle on your damn brother.”

She lifted a brow at his tone as well as his words. “No? Your loyalty to a prospective lover doesn’t go quite that far?” Virginia knew she was taunting him, but damn it, her day had been rotten, and just once, she wanted to see Dillon lose his temper, cut loose and prove to her what a powerful man he could be. But instead, he merely narrowed his eyes and waited.

Virginia took pity on him. “I’m sorry. I was just about to head home and I’m a little out of sorts. It hasn’t been the best of days.”

“That’s why I’m here,” he said. “To offer you a ride.”

“Chauffeuring is part of your job description?”

“Why not?” He stepped closer, his expression inscrutable. “I’m in charge of security. It’s my responsibility to see that you make it home safely.”

She couldn’t help but smile. “That’s stretching it, Dillon.”

“Not so.” He looked at her intently, his gaze unwavering. “I think your brake lines might have been tampered with.”

She waited for the punch line, and when it didn’t come she got to her feet and crossed to the closet to retrieve her coat. Before she could slip it on, Dillon was behind her, holding her shoulders. “I’m serious, Virginia.”

“That’s ridiculous.” She turned to face him. “So some vandal picked our parking lot to play around in. We’ll just increase security.”

“That’s just it.” He raised his hand to her cheek and stroked it. “Maybe it wasn’t a vandal. Maybe whoever did it targeted your car.”

“So now I have an enemy?” She could see he was serious, but she couldn’t feel the same way. It was entirely too farfetched. “You’ve been working too hard, Dillon. I think you need a day off more than I do.”

His jaw tightened and his hands slipped to her shoulders again. After a deep calming breath, he said, “All right, then just humor me, okay? Let me drive you home tonight.”

“I’m a big girl, Dillon, all grown-up. I don’t need a caretaker.”

He smiled, a beautiful smile that made her toes curl. He kissed her and she forgot they were standing in the middle of her office and someone could walk in at any moment.

He pulled back only far enough to speak, but his breath was warm on her lips, his tone husky. “You don’t have to convince me of that, honey. I know it all too well.” He kissed her again, a quick, hard kiss, then stepped back. “What did your mechanic say?”

Virginia had trouble bringing herself back under control. Lord love him, the man was a temptation, and she was quickly growing tired of resisting him. She stared up at him and tried to find her aplomb.

“I haven’t talked with my mechanic yet. He won’t have a chance to look at the car until tomorrow.”

“Then will you please—for my sake—be extra cautious until then?”

She thought about denying him, if for no other reason than reasserting her independence. She’d always had to fight so hard to prove herself, she sometimes didn’t know when to quit fighting. But truth be told, she loved the idea of him taking her home. Maybe he’d come inside, maybe he’d stop being so skittish about appearances and make love to her this very night. The mere thought caused her body to heat. “All right.”

Dillon stared down at her a moment longer before he nodded. He held her coat while she slipped into it, then led her out the door.

DILLON DIDN’T WANT to explore his satisfaction too deeply. Having Virginia accede to his wishes made him feel like a conqueror. It hadn’t happened often, and he had a feeling it wouldn’t happen again any time soon. Virginia wasn’t a woman to let a man call the shots. Right now, she was quiet. Too quiet. And he wondered if maybe she was regretting her small show of weakness. He didn’t consider caution a weakness, but he knew she would.

“Turn left up here.”

Startled out of his thoughts, Dillon reminded himself that he wasn’t supposed to know where she lived. He had to keep his mind on what he was doing, rather than trying to dissect Virginia’s psyche. He’d already discovered many times over what a futile and frustrating effort that could be. He just couldn’t seem to help himself; she fascinated him.

For the rest of the ride, he waited for her directions, even though he knew the way. Before getting hired on at Johnson’s Sporting Goods, he’d done a complete check on her.

When they pulled into her driveway, Virginia started to open her door. Dillon ignored that and walked around to her side of the car. She stood there, embraced by selective moonlight, on this dark, cloudy night. Her head was tilted back as she stared up at him, her eyes wide, and he wanted her.

He hated himself for it, but he wanted her. The iron control he’d always depended on seemed to evaporate where this woman was concerned, and it didn’t make sense. He didn’t even like her.

“Do you want to come in for a while?”

He hesitated. It didn’t take a genius to see the direction of her thoughts and, seeing that, he become instantly, painfully, hard. But making love to Virginia, especially now, wasn’t a wise thing to contemplate. He racked his brain for any excuse that would be believable, but before he could speak, a shadow caught his eye and he jerked toward the house. He could have sworn he saw a curtain move.

He shoved Virginia behind him as he stepped deeper into the shadows. “Do you have any pets, honey?”

“No. Dillon what are you—”

“Shh. Someone’s in your house.” His senses rioted, telling him all he needed to know.

“What?”

“Give me your key.”

Thankfully, Virginia complied, but when he told her to get into his car and lock the doors, she refused. As he inched closer to the house, she followed, leaving him no choice but to stop. “Damn it, Virginia.” His whispered voice was guttural, his temper on the edge. He grasped her shoulders. “You can’t—”

“It’s my house. I know my way around a lot better than you do.”

He shook her. He hadn’t meant to, but she was so obstinate, so annoying, he couldn’t help himself. “This isn’t a game, damn it! For once, will you—”

They both heard the back door slam, the sound carried easily on the cold, quiet night. Dillon squeezed her shoulders hard. “Stay put!”

He took off at a run. Even before he reached the backyard, he knew the chase was useless. Woods bordered her property on two sides, and he had no doubt the intruder would have long vanished into the black shadows. He cursed, then cursed again when Virginia touched his arm and he almost threw her to the ground in reaction. In the split second before he touched her, he realized who she was.

Without a word, knowing she wouldn’t follow an order even if her life depended on it, he dragged her up the back steps and into the house, keeping to the side so he wouldn’t destroy any footprints that might have been left behind. His temper was on the ragged edge, the ruthless aspects of his personality ruling him.

He found two light switches just inside the door. One illuminated the kitchen with blinding fluorescent light and the other flooded the backyard. Dillon scanned the yard, but there wasn’t a single movement caught in the glare.

“Call the police,” he whispered.

She answered in kind. “Why? Whoever it was is long gone now.”

“Unless there was more than one guy. Just do it.”

She bristled, but he didn’t have time to cajole her. He waited only until he saw her lift the receiver, then cautiously made his way down the hall, turning on lights as he went. Quickly, methodically, he went through the downstairs rooms, then trotted silently up the carpeted stairway to the upper level. He had explored all the rooms before Virginia finished making the call.

“Dillon?”

“It’s okay.” He answered from her bedroom, the last room he’d found. Virginia joined him there.

She glanced around, looking uncomfortable. “The police are on their way. They said to stay in the kitchen, not to try to be a hero.”

He grunted. “This is what I’m trained to do, Virginia.”

“To be a hero?”

He knew she was teasing. He could see it her golden eyes, shining now from the excitement. He shook his head. “Your bedroom is a surprise.”

That small observation removed the smile from her lips. She stiffened and drew her auburn brows together. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

He left the room, Virginia hot on his heels. With a deliberate shrug, he said, “It’s a little more feminine than I had expected, that’s all. I mean, I hadn’t pictured you having ruffled pillow shams or lace curtains.”

She apparently didn’t know what to say to that, so Dillon changed the subject. “How about some coffee?” He approached the back door, examining it closely. “I’m sure the cops would appreciate it on a cold night like this.”

He’d no sooner said the words than the sirens could be heard. Sure enough, the police were more than willing to swill coffee as they gave the house another examination. To everyone’s surprise except maybe Dillon’s, nothing seemed to be missing.

Still, the police wrote up the incident as a simple break and enter.

One young officer held his hat in one hand while cradling his coffee in the other. “With a house like yours, in this neighborhood, a burglar would be in heaven.”

Another policeman confirmed what Dillon already knew. “They came in through the kitchen door.”

“But how?” Virginia didn’t seem unsettled by the whole affair—she seemed furious. “My doors are always locked.”

“They picked the lock somehow.” The cop shrugged. “Leave your floodlights on tonight. In fact, you should get a timer to turn them on as soon as it gets dark. And put in an alarm system, as well. A woman living here alone—”

Disgusted, Dillon interrupted. “I’ll see to it tomorrow.”

Virginia frowned at him, but kept her peace. Dillon’s position, his reason for being with her, had already been explained. Since then the cops had been giving him a wide berth.

The policeman nodded. “Yeah, well, we’ll patrol through the neighborhood the rest of the night, ma’am. You should be safe enough. Very seldom does a perpetrator return once he knows he’s been discovered.”

Dillon didn’t agree, and he told Virginia so as soon as the officers had left. “You shouldn’t stay here.”

“Now, don’t start, Dillon. I’m tired and I want to go to bed. I’m not about to start uprooting myself tonight.”

He paced, trying to think while she glared at him, looking her most imperious. “What is the matter with you? You’ve been entirely too high-handed this evening and I’ve about had enough!”

He should have known she’d get her back up and make this more difficult than it had to be. “Virginia, has it escaped your notice that you’ve been threatened twice in the same day?”

She rolled her eyes. “I’ve had car trouble and a simple break-in. That’s doesn’t exactly add up to a life-or-death situation.”

He clenched his fists tight, fighting for control. It seemed he fought that particular battle more since meeting Virginia than he ever had in his entire life. “How do you think the guy got inside?”

She shrugged. “He picked the lock.”

“There’s no evidence of a forced entry. What if he had a key?”

Her eyes widened and she took a step back. “What exactly are you saying, Dillon? You think someone I know is trying to hurt me? Who?”

He should probably have admitted his suspicions that he thought Cliff might very well be the one harassing her. But something held him back. Despite all her bravado, all her indignation and affronted pride, she was still a woman, soft and vulnerable. From what he knew of her, Virginia had never had an easy life, and she’d never had anyone to love her. To find out now just how big a scoundrel her brother could be might well devastate her. He couldn’t bear that.

To his shame, though, he had another reason for hesitating. The possibility that if he forced the issue, she might blame Wade for threatening her. To Virginia, Wade would be a much more likely suspect. Her brother had accused him of embezzlement, and he’d been fired. Didn’t that give Wade motive enough, in her mind, to want revenge? If he convinced her the threats were real, would it backfire on Wade?

Wade could end up being accused not only as an embezzler, but an assailant as well. And then, if Virginia thought Wade was guilty, she would let her guard down. The real assailant would have a clear field. It was too risky. And if Virginia got hurt because he was preoccupied with his brother…

Impulsively, he put his arms around her and pulled her close in a careful hug. She resisted, holding herself stiff in his arms until he said, “I’m sorry. I know I’ve been on edge tonight. But Virginia, at least give me the right to worry about you a little, okay?”

She smiled up at him. “If you insist. But it isn’t necessary. I’ll be careful. I’m not an idiot.”

“I know.” He kissed her and didn’t want to stop kissing her. Her lips were warm and soft and she tempted him. He opened his mouth over hers, gently moving, savoring her taste. She made a small sound deep in her throat when his tongue licked over her bottom lip.

Cursing inwardly, Dillon set her away from him and reached for his coat. “Will you be all right tonight?”

He could tell by her expression that she wanted to ask him to stay; pride would keep her from it, though. And this time, he was glad. In less than twenty-four hours, everything had changed. His plans thrown into turmoil, he had to adapt. False accusations of embezzlement were no longer the only issue, and took a back seat to Virginia’s safety. This new threat was much more tangible, much more immediate.

He felt responsible for Virginia, whether she liked it or not, and he’d do his best to protect her, even while helping his brother. If he had to be ruthless to accomplish both goals, so be it. In all fairness, he gave her one last chance to do things the easy way. “Why don’t you take a vacation? Disappear for a while until things calm down?”

“What things? You really are overreacting.”

His hands fisted at his sides. “This wasn’t a simple break-in, Virginia.”

“Of course it was—”

“Nothing was taken, damn it! How do you explain that?”

She shrugged. “It’s like the police said. We probably interrupted the burglar.”

He grabbed her arms, his patience at an end. “What if you’d walked in here alone? What if I hadn’t been with you? Do you think whoever it was would have run?”

She stared at him blankly, her lips parted in surprise at his vehemence. With an effort, he eased his tone.

“This is what I do, honey. I know what I’m talking about. To be safe, you should get out of here for a while. Go to a motel. I’ll join you Thursday, just as we planned.”

She rubbed his shoulder as if to soothe him. “I have responsibilities here, Dillon. And the police really don’t seem to think there’s anything to be alarmed about.”

Dillon drew a deep breath and released her. “Surely the company can survive without you for a few days.” Without having to worry about her being threatened and with free run of her office, he could not only get the information he needed to absolve Wade, but most likely nail the bastard who was harassing her as well. All he needed was a little time.

She began loading empty coffee cups into the dishwasher, and when she glanced at him, a gentleness had entered her eyes. “I like you, Dillon, and I want to spend time with you. But one long afternoon will have to be enough for now. Don’t ask for more. My first priority will always be running the company—you know that.”

Only, it wasn’t her company, it was Cliff’s. And Dillon had a feeling Cliff had gotten tired of sharing it with her.

Her stubbornness knew no bounds; she wouldn’t relent. He closed his eyes a moment, accepting the inevitable, knowing what had to be done, knowing his options had just become severely limited. From the moment he’d involved himself in this mess, he’d felt equal parts protective and possessive of her. He wouldn’t let anyone hurt her. He’d protect her despite herself. Never mind that she’d probably despise him for it. Her hate had been guaranteed from the first.

He had one more day, Wednesday, to watch over her, while at the same time rearranging his plans and making new ones. He had a lot to accomplish in the time left to him, including the installation of an alarm system at her house that would put a stop to intruders.

He sighed as the ramifications of his new plan sank in. Virginia would miss her meeting on Friday after all. But at least she’d be safe.