Page 64 of Help Me Remember
“I have sources, Brie, and I don’t divulge them.”
She rolls her eyes. “Okay, Mr. Mysterious. Can I assume these aren’t mine, though?”
“Yes, these came from somewhere else.”
“What’s your theory? That maybe I saw discrepancies and went to Rachelle about it?”
“It’s possible, but why wouldn’t you have gone to me or Emmett? Why would you have kept all this quiet?” While I understand it’s a work thing and coming to others wouldn’t be normal, we shared our days.
We talked about everything. She would tell me stories about her coworker who hit on her constantly or the kids when they did something fun. Her not telling me is what I am most concerned about.
She leans back on the couch, pulling her legs under her. “I don’t know. I would’ve told Isaac and he probably would’ve told you and Emmett. If that was what happened, then you would know all this and then I would’ve gone to my boss. So, that doesn’t really make sense.”
Her mind is a beautiful thing.
“I think you’re right. If you went to Isaac, he would’ve mentioned it. So, I have no idea what these deposits and withdrawals mean. We can’t jump to conclusions, just follow the facts. So far, we know that there were two deposits that seem off. Let’s keep looking through and see if there is anything else odd.”
She goes back to the papers, circling different things before handing it to me. Not for nothing, she would make an amazing journalist. She’s looking at everything critically and examining things most people would dismiss as inconsequential. It’s impressive.
“Look.” Brie’s gaze finds mine, and she extends the paper. “These deposits and withdrawals are smaller and there are more of them, but it’s the same pattern again.”
Sure enough, she’s right.
“Did you add them?”
She shakes her head. “I’m starting to get a headache.”
“Why don’t you take a break while I calculate them. I have a feeling this total is going to be larger than the last two.”
“It’s a lot of money over the course of a month,” she agrees.
I start to highlight and do the math. The amount is staggering. “It’s over twenty-thousand dollars.”
“Why wouldn’t someone want to just make a donation of that amount at once? It’s a charity, right?”
“It’s not a charity, it’s funded by the town.”
Her eyes widen. “Wait, so it’s publicly funded?”
“Yes. About a year ago.” I hand her the paperwork detailing the transfer. The town wanted to provide a place where it was for all kids in the area.
“But they’re getting large donations of twenty thousand dollars almost monthly. If I was at all aware of something sketchy going on, could there have been more in my office?”
“That’s what I wonder, but if you did, there weren’t any records of it here.”
“And you have no idea what this is?” she asks.
“About this? I know only what you know. I swear.” I wish I did because at least then I would have some fucking clue what might have been in the missing paperwork from her office. “What I’ve learned is that when money is involved with corruption, there’s not much someone won’t do to silence others.”
Even kill.
ChapterFifteen
BRIELLE
Idon’t know that I have ever been this comfortable. Everything around me feels warm, and I could sleep like this forever.
I squirm deeper into the blankets, not remembering anything about how I got here. Spencer and I were in the living room, talking about the fact I may work for a bunch of criminals, then my head started to pound. That’s it.
