Page 45 of Allie's Shelter

Everyone at the event had signed release forms for the photos. Their names would be in a file easily accessed by any of the executives.

Bradley had proven his devious nature by bringing a bad drug to market, paving the way with promises, money, and rigged research results. Looking up a few kids in unfortunate circumstances and hiring them to do his dirty work didn’t seem like much of a stretch. She’d bet the last of her savings account, the mugger was part of the same gang.

Quickly, she sent a second email to Eva. If her company laptop or bag turned up, maybe they could pull fingerprints. A long shot, but she didn’t want to miss any possible evidence linking Bradley to her trouble.

Even dead, if Bradley’s criminal behavior could be exposed, surely that would clear her name. She didn’t expect to save her job, but that was a minor concern compared to the lives of people who trusted in pharmaceuticals every day.

The house security system alarm went off, startling her. She only relaxed a fraction when the disarm announcement followed. She was in no hurry to go another round with Ross. His footsteps were quiet, but aimed unerringly for the office. Her heart rate sped up when the footsteps stopped at the door. “Did you have any luck?”

“Yes, actually,” she replied, swiveling the chair. She forced a smile she hoped hid her lingering uneasiness.

“But you didn’t recognize the faces when you were attacked?”

“Things were a little dicey in those moments,” she said in her defense. Pausing, she changed the subject. “Eva sent so many mug shots I thought I’d go cross eyed.” She reached for her coffee, sipping to put an end to her rambling. Steadier, she added, “The mug shots sparked a memory. Both the man and woman showed up to my first clinic publicity carnival event. Everyone signed release forms, so the names are in the company records. I emailed all the details to Eva.”

“Good.” He smiled, but it looked tight to her. She stopped that line of thinking. Analyzing his emotional state wasn’t her business. She had to protect her heart. “She’ll send the new information on to Cochran,” he added.

“I have to assume that’s how Bradley found them and hired them to follow me around and do his dirty work.”

Ross nodded. He pushed off the door jamb, but didn’t come any closer. She tried to ignore the way his shoulders filled the doorway, but it was useless. Even after this morning’s argument, it was going to take a monumental effort to leave him when this was over.

For the first time she wondered if being friends was even possible. Friends would stay in contact. Friends would talk and exchange Christmas cards at the very least. All of that normal friendship stuff guaranteed more pain for her.

This unexpected reunion proved that being close to him still turned her inside out. Simply put, she was too vulnerable with this man. She forced her lips into a wide smile, knowing it was too bright, but it kept her lips from trembling. “I’ll let you have your computer back.”

She stood up, and gathering her plate and coffee mug, she kept the desk between them as they exchanged places. Almost clear, she caught him staring at her mouth again. “What?” She couldn’t deal with this sexual tension at a constant simmer. Did he want her or her friendship or, like her, did he realize they were better off with none of the above?

He cleared his throat and raised her cell phone. “Rick sent the video feed from the bank lobby. Maybe you’ll recognize who made the transfer.”

She wanted to ask how Rick had managed that, then realized she didn’t really want to know. Ross had lived a whole life in their years apart and the impact of those experiences had changed him. Clearly, his experiences had granted him a new career along with some serious resources and connections.

Her feet were heavy as cement blocks as she took the necessary steps, stopping behind the chair. She didn’t hover as he had when she showed him the banking records. “Go ahead.”

Being this close to him made it feel like an eternity passed before the video was ready to play. The delay gave her too much time to think about Ross. With an effort, she turned her thoughts to who might have the audacity to come after the money Bradley had stolen.

“It has to be one of the executives from accounting,” she murmured.

“Why?”

“Access,” she replied.

The chair creaked as Ross fidgeted. Maybe the breakfast argument still troubled him too. She quashed the glimmer of hope that wanted to spring up again. Discipline and sheer common sense would be her true allies, getting her through this challenging time.

“Well, we’re about to know for sure.”

Assuming the culprit was kind enough to smile up at a camera, she thought. Bracing for anything, and secretly expecting to see the executive who’d told her to mind her own business, she gasped at the face on the screen.

“I’ll be damned,” Ross muttered.

“He’s not very dead,” she whispered. But there was no mistaking that it was her boss—former boss—Bradley Roberts, alive and well enough to make the withdrawal and laugh with the teller while he did it. “You recognize him too?”

“Of course.” Ross fisted his hand over the keyboard and took one of his measured breaths. “Been going through the file since the gang banger took a shot at you. Your reaction confirms it. That’s Roberts, right? Eva, did the, ah, initial background work when the complaint came through from the company.”

She was learning not to be surprised by anything his team pulled off. “Your clients must be pleased with the way you go the extra mile.”

“Uh-huh.” He clicked away from the video, taking a look at the rest of the report from Rick. “This time stamp is bad news.”

“You mean it’s wrong?” Allie was struggling to follow Ross’s logic.

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