a standing meeting. “One last thing,” Alex said and paused until
all eyes were upon him. “We’re looking at major corruption here. Felonies.
Possibly mob connections. We need to be very cautious. Don’t talk about what
you’re investigating or what you’ve found out, other than within this group,”
he admonished. “At least for now.”
The mood in the room was somber as John rushed in
with apologies for being late. “Looks like you’re all done,” he observed as
people were rising and retrieving coats.
Alex asked Maggie to stay back so they could give
John a summary of the meeting. Beth told them to keep the hummus. “I know
John,” she said. “He was probably too busy to eat lunch.”
“Cat lovers are the best cooks,” he teased. “I’m
starved. I appreciate it. I’ll drop the plate by your front door tomorrow.”
John ate while Alex and Maggie filled him in on
their research and conclusions. “Embezzlement from the general fund and
probably from the pension fund, plus insider investments. We’re turning over
some big rocks here,” John said. “I hope everyone knows to be careful and keep
quiet.”
“We covered that very issue, and everyone knows
we’re playing with fire,” Alex assured him.
“So Sam and Tim will get us info on the pension
fund investments, but how can we find out about the offshore accounts
implicated in the general fund transfers?” John asked.
“Unless our source at Town Hall can give us some
additional documentation,” Alex answered, “they’ll have to turn it over voluntarily,
or we’ll need to subpoena the town. I’m researching how to do that. I’m
doubtful that they’ll cooperate voluntarily, no matter how much public pressure
we put on them.”
Alex yawned and looked at his watch. Maggie stood,
saying that it was late and she needed to get home to feed Eve. John gathered
up the now empty serving dish and helped her with her coat. When they reached
Maggie’s car, John held her door. How long had it been since a man had opened
her car door for her? Maggie wondered. Paul had abandoned this gallant gesture
years ago. She murmured her thanks as she made a conscious effort to get into
her seat as gracefully as possible.
“How about I pick you up at five thirty on
Saturday? Wear pants and clothes you can move in. Dress warm. It’s supposed to
be a clear day, and we’ll be outside for about an hour.”
Maggie’s emotions ran the gamut from elation that
he had not forgotten about their date (is that what this was?) to terror that
he had remembered (good Lord, was she going on a date after all of these
years?). She returned his smile, hoping to hide the panic she felt, and answered
in as casual a tone as she could muster, “Perfect. Will do. Thanks for the
heads up. So—what do you have planned?”
He cocked one brow. “I thought you wanted more
surprises in your life. How about we let this be one?” He was enjoying the bit
of mystery he was creating. “I remember you said you didn’t know what you liked
to do for fun. Well, one of the things we’re going to do is something you used
to be good at. I thought that would be a good place to start. Don’t worry about
a thing. We’ll have fun. And if you don’t like it, we’ll do something else,” he
assured her. “How does that sound?”
His manner and his very presence were a balm to
her. His face was hidden in shadow, but she sensed his concerned gaze. He’s
put a lot of thought into this, she realized with surprise. Maggie felt a
sudden surge of tenderness toward him. “I’m sure it will be great fun and I
can’t wait,” she replied. She couldn’t be sure, but it looked like his step
held more spring in it as he walked to his car.
Chapter 12
Grateful to get off work a few
minutes early, Sam pulled the list of pension fund properties from a folder as
he turned out of the school parking lot at two forty-five on Thursday
afternoon. Maggie was true to her word and didn’t mind that he
all eyes were upon him. “We’re looking at major corruption here. Felonies.
Possibly mob connections. We need to be very cautious. Don’t talk about what
you’re investigating or what you’ve found out, other than within this group,”
he admonished. “At least for now.”
The mood in the room was somber as John rushed in
with apologies for being late. “Looks like you’re all done,” he observed as
people were rising and retrieving coats.
Alex asked Maggie to stay back so they could give
John a summary of the meeting. Beth told them to keep the hummus. “I know
John,” she said. “He was probably too busy to eat lunch.”
“Cat lovers are the best cooks,” he teased. “I’m
starved. I appreciate it. I’ll drop the plate by your front door tomorrow.”
John ate while Alex and Maggie filled him in on
their research and conclusions. “Embezzlement from the general fund and
probably from the pension fund, plus insider investments. We’re turning over
some big rocks here,” John said. “I hope everyone knows to be careful and keep
quiet.”
“We covered that very issue, and everyone knows
we’re playing with fire,” Alex assured him.
“So Sam and Tim will get us info on the pension
fund investments, but how can we find out about the offshore accounts
implicated in the general fund transfers?” John asked.
“Unless our source at Town Hall can give us some
additional documentation,” Alex answered, “they’ll have to turn it over voluntarily,
or we’ll need to subpoena the town. I’m researching how to do that. I’m
doubtful that they’ll cooperate voluntarily, no matter how much public pressure
we put on them.”
Alex yawned and looked at his watch. Maggie stood,
saying that it was late and she needed to get home to feed Eve. John gathered
up the now empty serving dish and helped her with her coat. When they reached
Maggie’s car, John held her door. How long had it been since a man had opened
her car door for her? Maggie wondered. Paul had abandoned this gallant gesture
years ago. She murmured her thanks as she made a conscious effort to get into
her seat as gracefully as possible.
“How about I pick you up at five thirty on
Saturday? Wear pants and clothes you can move in. Dress warm. It’s supposed to
be a clear day, and we’ll be outside for about an hour.”
Maggie’s emotions ran the gamut from elation that
he had not forgotten about their date (is that what this was?) to terror that
he had remembered (good Lord, was she going on a date after all of these
years?). She returned his smile, hoping to hide the panic she felt, and answered
in as casual a tone as she could muster, “Perfect. Will do. Thanks for the
heads up. So—what do you have planned?”
He cocked one brow. “I thought you wanted more
surprises in your life. How about we let this be one?” He was enjoying the bit
of mystery he was creating. “I remember you said you didn’t know what you liked
to do for fun. Well, one of the things we’re going to do is something you used
to be good at. I thought that would be a good place to start. Don’t worry about
a thing. We’ll have fun. And if you don’t like it, we’ll do something else,” he
assured her. “How does that sound?”
His manner and his very presence were a balm to
her. His face was hidden in shadow, but she sensed his concerned gaze. He’s
put a lot of thought into this, she realized with surprise. Maggie felt a
sudden surge of tenderness toward him. “I’m sure it will be great fun and I
can’t wait,” she replied. She couldn’t be sure, but it looked like his step
held more spring in it as he walked to his car.
Chapter 12
Grateful to get off work a few
minutes early, Sam pulled the list of pension fund properties from a folder as
he turned out of the school parking lot at two forty-five on Thursday
afternoon. Maggie was true to her word and didn’t mind that he
Similar Books
