Page 61 of All Wrong
“Well, she’s got a gift for ferreting out information.”
“Better than Ian?” he asked doubtfully, raising an eyebrow.
“Not better, just a different skill set. Like they’re in the same field but specialize in different things.”
“Okay.”
“Robin’s gift is in finding patterns, particularly in finances.”
“Okay,” he said again, rolling his hand in aget on with itgesture. “And?”
“There is absolutely nothing linking Buckman to anything even remotely questionable. However, Robin did discover that every time Buckman moved to a new location, financial activity increased substantially within a twenty-mile radius.”
“What kind of financial activity?”
“Theinflux of cashkind, mostly from localbusinesses. Robin says it might be indicative of low-key money laundering.”
Nick didn’t know a lot about money laundering beyond the basics—funneling ill-gotten gains into a legitimate business through a multitude of channels so it wasn’t easily traceable.
“I don’t know. Sounds thin.”
“It is,” Nicki agreed, “but I trust Robin’s instincts almost as much as I trust yours. With her and Ian teaming up on this, if there’s anything there, they’ll find it. That being said, a bit of inside help wouldn’t hurt.”
The back of his neck prickled again. “Such as?”
“Hmm,” Nicki hummed, appearing to think about it. “Who do we know who works in a bank, is well liked and trusted among local businesses, and would notice a rising tide of cash flow?”
No. Absolutely not.He didn’t want Corinne involved in any way, shape, or form. “Two minutes ago, you were practically accusing her of blabbing to Buckman.”
Nicki waved her hand dismissively. “Just considering every possibility. I don’t really think she’d say anything. But she’s also kind of naive, I think.”
Nick opened his mouth to counter, but then he thought about how Corinne had spent several hoursoutside the police station after seeing him get arrested. How she’d trusted the word of an obvious fuckwit and not gotten her idiot light checked out. How she’d been completely blindsided by her boss’s betrayal when the signs had probably been there for anyone to see. How she’d walked through town alone, at night, for goddamn snacks without a thought for personal safety.
And most damning, how she’d given herself over to him so completely, letting him do dark and dirty things. That was the biggest mindfuck of all. How could she have put her trust in him like that?
He closed his mouth. “You want to use her for inside information.”
“She has valuable insight into the local economy.”
He shook his head. “She’s not part of this. Let Ian and your friend handle it.”
“They can only spot trends after they’re established. Besides, she’s already involved, isn’t she?”
Nick kept his expression cool and impassive. “How do you figure?”
“She’s already been out with Buckman a couple of times, according to Lacie. If he is involved in this mess somehow, she could wind up as collateral damage.”
Nick’s stomach clenched as he remembered how Corinne had admitted to avoiding Lacie’s matchmaking attempts the night of the fair. “Buckman’s a tool. Corinne’s not interested in him. She’s only going out with him to get her sister off her back.”
“And you know this how?”
Nick shrugged, unwilling to admit how well he knew Corinne. “Seems pretty obvious, doesn’t it? Lacie’s been trying to fix her sister up for years. Corinne’s learned to take the path of least resistance. She should tell Lacie to fuck off already.”
“What’s wrong with Lacie wanting her sister to be happy? Let’s face it; there aren’t a lot of decent, eligible men in the thirty-to-forty-something local dating pool.” Nicki glared pointedly at Nick.
Nick met his sister’s diamond gaze with one equally intense. “Corinne is perfectly capable of finding her own happy. Maybe everyone should trust her to handle her own biz.”
Nicki said nothing, then tilted her head. “Makes you wonder though, doesn’t it?”
