Page 67 of Tough as Steele

“Does she know about the gambling?” Peyton asked.

“Yes, and I’m seeking help for it.”

“What kind of help?”

“Gamblers Anonymous.”

“Have you totally stopped gambling?” Londyn asked, hoping he would tell the truth. If he did, she could consider trusting him more.

“I have.” He lifted his chin higher. “Though I don’t think this is any of your business, I want to do whatever I can to help you find Mimi.”

Ryleigh had proof he was still gambling so he was lying, and that put him higher on Londyn’s suspect list. She wouldn’t call him on it now. She would find out if he lied about Clarice knowing about his problem, too, and when Londyn had all the facts, she would question him again. “You’re paid a salary here, right?”

His chin went down as if he thought he’d won a battle. “I am, and it’s befitting the position.”

“And what about the money Clarice gets every month from Mimi?” Londyn asked. “Is it sufficient to live on?”

“Between the two, we are just fine.” He leaned back in his chair and cupped his hands behind his head.

Peyton snapped her chair forward. “If we had a forensic accountant audit the company books, would we find any irregularities since you’ve taken over?”

He paled at the question.

Ah-ha.If he was stealing money from the company, would he even need to kidnap Mimi?

“Everything is as it should be,” he said, a bit of his bravado gone. “But again, I don’t see why you would do that or why any of this is your business.”

“Just covering all of my bases.” She forced a smile. “How well do you know Mimi’s staff?”

“Enough to greet them by name. Nothing more.”

“So you wouldn’t know if one of them might be behind Mimi’s disappearance?”

He shook his head. “But if one of them was, I figure it would have to be Wendy. She’s new to the job and a bit uppity, if you ask me.”

“Uppity?”

“She doesn’t know her place. Seems to think she’s part of the family.”

Interesting that he’d even noticed. “What did Mimi make of that?”

He dropped his hands to the arm of his chair and clutched it tightly with fingers he’d obviously had professionally manicured. “I never talked to her about it. Her personal staff is her business, not mine.”

“Would you be surprised to learn Wendy has a criminal record?”

“She does?” His eyes widened. “For what?”

“Theft, embezzlement, and manslaughter.”

“No. No. It doesn’t surprise me. When we get Mimi home, we’ll need to inventory her things.” He sounded oddly protective.

For the first time, Londyn believed he cared about Mimi. At least at the level for which he seemed able to care for and commit to any person.

“Wendy was also living under an alias. Her real name is Jessica Oates.”

“So that’s why you asked about that name. No, I’d never heard it.” He shook his head. “You’d think Mimi would’ve been more thorough in her hiring. But then, sheisshowing her age at times. Making decisions on a whim that aren’t in the best interest of the company.”

“What about in your interest? Has she made any of those decisions lately?” At his blank look, Londyn continued. “Like decisions relating to your corporate powers or your salary?”

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