Page 21 of Island Holiday

“But Zimmer’s using a project fund, right?”

“Yes,” she said slowly. “Connor, we’ve been over this.”

“I know. Sorry. I’m wondering if any money habits would coincide with the social media posts for the women who fell off the radar.” He wasn’t ready to call them victims, not while they had time to find them.

She took her coffee mug over to the counter and hopped up on the stool. Her hands wrapped around the mug oncemore. He indulged himself with a study of her elegant hands, automatically picturing that ring on her finger.

Talk about rushing things.

“It’s possible,” Sonya murmured, clearly lost in her own thoughts. “With Zimmer the money isn’t like a regular bank account. His personal accounts are spotless.”

“Not even questionable payments to a couple of thugs in the Charlotte area?”

She pressed her lips together. “That’s another avenue,” she said. “Should’ve thought of it myself.”

He felt like an ass. “That’s not what I meant.”

“No. It’s okay.” She tapped her nails lightly on the granite countertop. “I’m wondering if I’ve missed an account somewhere along the way.”

“Doubtful.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m serious. His personal account shows regular paychecks from the university along with those hefty consulting fees that come in quarterly. The regular outgoing expenses are pretty standard: mortgage, utilities, groceries.”

“So he’s paying himself?” The man had a pretty sweet setup.

Her lip curled. “Yes. It’s so sketchy.”

He smothered a laugh. He found her even more appealing when she was in her judgy mode.

“He pays himself and the students he recruits with the project fund. Most of the time it’s a wire transfer. Occasionally a cashier’s check. Always small enough to go unreported.”

Zimmer was slick. “But consistent enough that you can track it.”

“Yes.”

He knew this wasn’t much help to her, but maybe rehashing it would help him find a new search angle. “Does he donate to any charities? Or maybe he’s been investing in a new company.”

She chewed on her lip. “That’s a smart idea. I’ll look. Again.” She turned those big eyes on him. “I did confirm that the women who didn’t return home were paid. The money has cleared, but the accounts haven’t been active, aside from typical subscriptions.” His face must’ve gone blank because she added, “Music, gym memberships, that kind of thing.”

“Gyms. Yes.” He topped off his coffee and grabbed his phone. “Big oversight on my part. If it’s a chain, I can narrow our search.” Figuring it was best to start with where they were, he searched for gyms close to the condo.

“Assuming they’re using the facility. How many people do you know who subscribe and never use the service?”

“Fair. I’m still looking.”

“Besides, you said they announced a social hiatus or something for a special project. You think Zimmer would really let them do whatever they pleased?”

Her question—the implication that Zimmer could be involved with human trafficking—was chilling. “They aren’t behaving like captives,” he said. Though he couldn’t be absolutely sure. The social media accounts could be manipulated. “I really think he’s convinced them it’s something else. Some fun experiment.”

“I hope you’re right.”

He swallowed.

And he hoped his theory wouldn’t be proven wrong in the worst possible way. Desperate to find anything, he dug deep, doing what he did best: finding people who didn’t want to be found.

***

Sonya watched, fascinated by Connor’s intense focus. No wonder he’d found her when she’d been too scared to leave anEllington property. Whatever programs he used, he was diligent and relentless with combing through the data.

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