Page 28 of Justice Denied

Jetta shifted in her chair as her mother gasped.

“You didn’t tell me any of this.”

Jetta hastened to reassure Mom. “I didn’t want to worry you. Besides, there didn’t seem to be a connection. The truck had been stolen, and I just got in the way.” Based on the determined looks in her mother and Seth’s eyes, her attempt to downplay the incidents fell flat.

“I don’t like this.” Detective Brady met Jetta’s gaze. “This smacks of escalation from leaving notes to harming and potentially killing a dog to attempted murder.”

“Do you think everything that’s happened so far are connected?” Seth asked.

“The stolen truck is the only outlier, in my opinion, as, like Ms. Ainsley said, it could have been she was in the way of a car thief. But the dog poisoning and note are directly tied to Ms. Ainsley,” Detective Brady said. “Would you have the vet send me a copy of his findings about Bingley?”

Jetta agreed, making a note on her phone to do so.

“I’ll follow up with Animal Control and get the report from their sweep of your yard.” The detective eyed Jetta and her mother. “In the meantime, be careful. Someone appears to be targeting you two, and until we know why, be on your guard.”

“What happens next?” Seth laid a hand on Jetta’s shoulder, as if he’d known she needed comfort.

She leaned into his side, wanting closer contact and hoping his strength would rub off onto her. Her mind overflowed like a fast-moving stream with too many disconnected thoughts.

“We’re finished here for now and will return later to talk to the night shift,” the detective said. “In the meantime, I’ve alerted security to be extra vigilant.”

“What about the embezzlement?” Mom asked.

“I’ll check with my colleague and see what I can find out about the original investigation.” He stood. “If we find a connection between the embezzlement and the attempt on your life, we’ll reopen your husband’s case. Until then, I’ll treat it as background.”

Mom’s lips tightened in the way that indicated she wasn’t pleased with that answer, but she didn’t contradict the detective and thanked him again.

After the detective left, Mom sighed. “At least he didn’t laugh at me for suggesting Jay’s case had something to do with these attempts.”

“I think he will look into it.” Jetta thought the detective had been sincere. “In the meantime, we’ll keep digging and see what we can come up with. What did your colleague say?”

Seth ran a hand along the back of his neck, a gesture Jetta noted he did whenever he was nervous or embarrassed. “Brogan said there wasn’t enough new evidence to warrant opening an investigation. But I did find out something interesting about Topher Robotics. Maxwell Technology is trying for a hostile takeover.”

“What does that mean exactly?” Jetta voiced the question she’d seen on her mother’s face as well.

“It means Maxwell Technology will try to convince the majority of the shareholders to vote for their offer to acquire Topher Robotics without the board’s approval,” Seth explained. “I don’t know all the ins and outs myself, but I do know since Topher Robotics went public a few months after your father’s death, the Topher family has had less control over the company. They’re still the largest shareholders with forty percent of the stock, but they no longer hold the majority position.”

Jetta rubbed her temples as a headache inched its way into her skull. “All this financial mumbo-jumbo is confusing. I didn’t get Dad’s affinity for numbers and spreadsheets.”

“You have a good head on your shoulders.” Mom patted her hand. “Now you two run along and start sleuthing.”

Jetta frowned. “You heard what the detective said—we need to be extra careful. I’m staying here with you until that man is caught.”

“Absolutely not.” Mom shot Jetta The Look, the one that saidI will not be gainsaid about this. “That detective will do his best, I’m sure, but the poor man is overworked, and since I didn’t die, this isn’t going to be at the top of his list. He will ask questions and do a thorough job, but he will not delve too deep into the embezzlement. That’s up to you two. I’ve waited fifteen years to prove Jay’s innocence. There’s no more time to waste.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Seth gave her mother a salute, then winked at Jetta. “Shall we grab a cup of coffee in the cafeteria and plot our next move?”

Mom made a shooing motion with her hand. “I’ll be fine. Go.”

Jetta kissed her mother on the cheek. “I’ll stop by before I leave.”

An orderly, one Jetta had seen several times before, came into the room as Jetta and Seth left. “Time for your PT, Mrs. Ainsley.”

“She’ll be in good hands, now that the staff is alerted,” Seth said as they made their way to the cafeteria. “The best thing we can do is figure out the truth about who stole that money.”

“I suppose you’re right, but I’m worried.” Jetta paused outside the bustling café. “First Bingley and now my mom. This is serious. Maybe we shouldn’t…”

Seth gently turned her to face him, his light grip on her upper arms sending tingles throughout her body. “If we don’t, someone will get away with not only embezzling millions but also the attempt on your mother’s life.”

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