Page 46 of Enticing the Fixer

Ann crosses her arms over her chest as the air kicks on. “What about that hussy?”

Kinsley stops in mid-step. “Who?”

“You know.” She unlaces her arms and snaps her fingers as her eyebrows crinkle. “Starla, something. Or is it, Darla?”

“Carla?”

“Yes.” She snaps her fingers again. “That’s it. Carla. I don’t like her.”

I swipe my palms on my thighs. “I do question if she’s somehow involved. As the head of accounting, she has the most access to the software system, but she said there’s also a Shannon and a Keith. They weren’t in the office today when I was there.”

Kinsley shakes her head. “It’s not Keith.”

“Why not?” Her adamant refusal to believe he’s involved has the hairs on the back of my neck standing. Does she like this guy? Who is he? All I know is that tomorrow morning, I’ll be posted up by his desk, cracking my knuckles.

“He’s….” She clears her throat. “I don’t think it’s him. He and my dad hung out talking about old movies they watched when they were kids. They both enjoyed westerns and space-type shows. The new frontier type of thing.”

Great. The older man. The age gap that all the girls want. Not the one we’re playing with.

“He’s fifty years old and lives in his mom’s basement. He has two cats and enough hair on his sweaters to weave another sweater with the excess.”

“I see.” Yeah, I see. You’re a jealous toad. The muscles in my shoulders tense. Jealous? I’ve never been jealous before. There was never a reason to be. I’m more in over my head than I thought.

“I don’t think he’s the type.” She braces her hands on her hips. “But you’re right. I’m not willing to ignore the potential for him to be involved.”

“What about this guy?” Ann looks pointedly at me and crosses her legs.

“I’m not–”

“Ann, it’s fine. I don’t think it’s Leo, but I’ll stop at nothing to take him down if I ever suspect him.”

“Hey.” I raise my hands in mock surrender. “I’m innocent.”

“Me, too.” Kinsley tucks a strand of hair behind her ear.

Ann’s head whips around to face me as anger flashes in her eyes. “Did you think Kinsley was doing this herself? That’s bullshit.”

“No. I didn’t, but I think someone is trying to make it look like it’s her to discredit her. I haven’t identified whether the money is gone or if there’s a separate account in the business that the money is being transitioned into.”

“Good. I thought I needed to pull your testicles out through your nose with a clothing hanger.”

“That sounds specific and over the top.”

“Thank you.” She smiles for the first time and bows her head a couple of inches. “Over the top is my motto.” She sobers. “Kinsley is a spectacular person. She’s hard-working, dependable, loyal–”

“Stop.”

Ann’s jaw flexes. “Don’t be flippant. You’re a wonderful person, and you don’t need an asshole who won’t support you.”

I drape my arm over Kinsley’s shoulders, pulling her tightly to my side. “I support Kinsley.”

“I wasn’t talking about you. I was discussing her worthless ex and reminding her of her worth. You seem to be a good catch.”

“Thank you.”

“Now, find out who’s behind this, so Kinsley’s life can go back to normal.” She cringes. “Or as normal as it can be with her company’s future in question.”

“I will.” I kiss her forehead. “We’re going to figure out who’s behind everything and right the ship. Kinsley doesn’t need to look over her shoulder all the time.”

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