“You’re embezzling from the university?”
“What? No.” He crosses his arms. “I simply borrowed some funds, but I have repaid them.” Again, no twitch.
Maybe he’s actually taking me seriously now. “Were those funds from the hockey team?”
Joseph closes his eyes. “Yes. And I know that was stupid for many reasons, but I was desperate.”
“I heard you get a trust fund payment every month. Is that true?”
He jumps up. “Jesus. Have you been investigating me? Yes, I get a payment. But something came up, and I needed more. It was a one-time thing and won’t happen again.” Twitch.
Dammit.
While I might be protecting Joseph, the president of the university is the one who hired my services. I can’t lie to Chip; not if Joseph is embezzling funds.
Joseph seems to read my thoughts. “Look, I know my boss hired you, and I’m sure you’re concerned about my actions, but I swear I’ve made everything right. You have nothing to worry about.” No twitch.
Either he’s actually telling the truth, or he believes his own lies so completely, he’s fooling himself.
I throw my hands in the air. “If you’re embezzling, I’m compelled to tell Chip. He’s the one that hired us to protect you.”
“I assure you, I did not embezzle, and everything is fine now.” Joseph stands and walks to the door. “You don’t want to make false accusations. I’m sure that wouldn’t reflect well on your company.” Joseph smiles as he opens the door.
Son of a bitch. He’s fucking right, I can’t accuse him without proof. And if he truly covered his tracks, there won’t be any proof to find. And now the asshole is dismissing me.
I think I’ve underestimated Joseph Taylor.
CHAPTER8
Cody
The familiar housecomes into view as I pull up to the curb. It’s been thirteen years since I’ve been here; it looks a lot better than it used to. The lawn is mowed, and there is a fresh coat of paint on the exterior. Hopefully, these are signs that my mom has stayed sober.
I take the porch steps two at a time. There’s a fake spider web up above the front door, and several carved pumpkins line the porch.
Right, Halloween. How the hell did I forget it’s almost Halloween? Because my mind has been on Joseph. And Lucy. Will she be going to Halloween parties? Will she be going with Ted? I push the thought away. I can’t let myself go there. It’s bad enough I asked her for a second chance.
I hadn’t planned on blurting that out but sitting that close to her in the car was too much. I couldn’t think straight. And the pain in her eyes when I told her why I left, it almost broke me.
I knock on my mother’s front door, both ashamed and nervous. Ashamed for leaving the way I did and then waiting so long to come back. Nervous about what condition my mother will be in. It’s been a few years since I’ve seen her. Anything is possible.
My sister thinks I’m an asshole for never coming back home after I enlisted. She’s right, I am. But I couldn’t come back here and face everything I’d lost.
Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t go thirteen years without seeing my mom—I could never do that. No, I flew my mom and sister out to Virginia Beach a couple of times when I was stationed there.
But I haven’t seen them since then. After I left the Navy, I moved to Brooklyn, New York and began work for Reed Hawthorne Security. I kept busy. There never seemed to be a good time for their visit.
But when my sister found out I’d been in the area on an assignment? Let’s just say I’ve never heard her that angry.
I’d been three hours away in Fisher Springs and never called. I explained that I was working, and once I told her I was doing a favor for my friend Nick Moore, her anger soothed. Until she found out Nick wasn’t single anymore.
My sister has a thing for servicemen. Believe me, it wasn’t easy when she came to visit me in Virginia.
We both met Nick years ago when my sister accompanied me to an appointment at the VA. She was enamored. From the moment we met, I knew he was a good guy, but there was no way in hell I was going to help my sister hook up with him.
Being in Fisher Springs with Nick was the first time in all these years I’ve felt homesick. That town is a lot nicer than Pine Valley, with its picturesque mountains as a backdrop. Otherwise, it’s like the rest of the western part of the state: green with the freshest air. Certainly, greener than New York City.
Being that close to home, I knew it was just a matter of time before I would find myself here, on my mom’s doorstep.
