Page 40 of Unforgotten

Still looking him over, she asked, “Where are you from?”

“Connecticut.”

“You’re a long way from home.”

“I am.”

She still hadn’t budged from her position at the desk. “Are you finding everything you need okay?”

Ryan’s knee-jerk reaction was to remind her that he wasn’t there on a social call. But luckily he’d spent enough time in Candace’s company that he was learning that easy conversation was just these folks’ way.

Even more importantly, this Peggy was likely not simply making small talk. If he mentioned that he was in need of something, she’d likely find a way for him to get it. “Yes, ma’am, I’m finding everything just fine.”

“Good to know. We’re not the big city, but we have just about anything one could need.” She winked. “With a few less cars and a lot less pollution.”

He grinned. “You all do have a lot less of that here.”

Jay cleared his throat. “Have you found anything to be missing, Peggy?”

“Well, as a matter of fact, yes.”

Ryan pulled out his pen and pad of paper. “What’s missing?”

“I keep a metal lockbox in the back of this drawer.” She pulled open the bottom drawer of a filing cabinet. It was finely crafted, just like every other piece in the showroom. Peering closer, Ryan could see a gap of about eight or nine inches at the back.

“What was inside?”

“Cash, plus a couple of credit cards.” She lifted her chin. “Sometimes Mr. Burkholder will ask me to purchase something for the office or for his wife, and I’ll use those credit cards.”

After getting the description of the box, along with a rough estimate of the cash amount and number of credit cards, he closed the file cabinet again. “Anything else?”

“Yes.” For the first time, she looked uncomfortable. Dartinga look at Jay, she said, “I feel a little embarrassed about what I did.”

Beside him, Jay looked mystified, which sent warning signals through Ryan. Jay hadn’t been surprised to learn about the lockbox. Maybe he’d known about it? After making a note to chat with Jay about that later, Ryan scanned the PA’s expression. She definitely looked uncomfortable.

“Is this something else a personal matter, Peggy? Would you like to speak in private?”

She glanced Jay’s way again and flushed. “No, it’s okay.”

It wasn’t, though. Whatever she had to say, it was obvious that she didn’t want Jay to know about it. Turning to the younger man, Ryan said, “If you’ll excuse us now.”

“Oh. Yeah, sure. I’ll, uh, wait out in the main lobby.” After darting a look at Peggy, he left the office.

Ryan turned back to her. “What’s missing?”

“Some of my index cards.”

Huh? “What do they have on them?”

“Well, you see, there are cards on each employee. Basic details, but I also write personal notes on each.”

Was she serious? “You keep note cards with personal notes about each employee?”

Peggy stiffened, obviously becoming defensive. “Yes, but this practice is not as bad as it sounds. I promise.”

He raised one eyebrow. “How does it sound to you?”

Her cheeks reddened. “Nosy.”

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