Page 35 of When You're Safe

“Unless,” Finn said, ignoring hisfriend, “there was an unforeseen bump in the road, excuse the pun. What ifQuentin didn’t leave the estate to the museum?”

“But Kelvin told us Quentin had,”Winters said.

“Kelvin also told us that he wasn’ttoo involved with the museum’s financials,” Finn continued. “It’s more thanpossible that the trustees knew something he doesn’t. And he also said thatMaggie was at the museum quite a bit, attending galas and fundraisers. It’s possibleMaggie’s attendance wasn’t all altruistic. Could she have been granted somesort of control by Quentin over what happened with the money and estate?”

“Like an executor?” Winters asked.

“Exactly,” said Finn. “Maybe themuseum inheriting everything wasn’t so simple. Maggie could have gotten in theway somehow. Maybe she had persuaded Quentin to give her the money, or for herto be in control of some sort of trust fund that would be drip-fed to themuseum. That could have meant that Alan Ross decided to get rid of her, hoping thenext in line would be more forthcoming with the inheritance.”

“That’s a lot of maybes,” Robsaid. “But it would make sense.”

“Especially since…” Finn looked atthe computer screen again. “There.” He pointed to a part of Alan Ross’s record.

Winters leaned in and read outloud what was there. “Two charges of embezzlement. He was found not guilty onboth, though.”

“You know as well as I do that notguilty doesn’t always mean not guilty,” Finn said.

“Unfortunately, this is true,” Robsaid. “Too many people get away with things. They get off on some sort oftechnicality.”

“It could be this Alan Ross,”Winters said, “needed to skim some of those funds from the museum’s accountsfor a drastic reason.”

“Loan sharks, losing his home,gambling debts,” Finn interjected. “It could be for anything. Rob is right, it’sa lot of conjecture, but I think the coincidence of that car incident on hisrecord, more than anything, that makes me think it’s worth questioning him.”

“Agreed,” Rob said. “Get hisdetails and question him. Tread carefully though, this isn’t enough to chargehim with something. We need more.”

“So let’s go get it,” Winters said,opening the door to the hallway and rushing out.

Finn remained seated in theoffice. “She’s keen.”

“She’s also the best inspector I’veever worked with,” Rob said.

“I know,” Finn said. “I like her.”

Rob looked at Finn with a curiousexpression. “What do you mean like?”

“Not like that,” Finn said. “Ijust mean we work well together, and Winters has a great way of working a case.”

“Okay.” Rob nodded. “As long asthat’s all there is.”

“What does that mean?” Finn asked.

“Finn,” Rob said, leaning on hisdesk, “we’ve known each other since our college days. I know what you’re likewith women. Until you met Demi, you broke a lot of hearts.”

“No, it’s the other way around,”Finn said quietly.

“I know you’re going through alot,” Rob said. “But it would be so easy to fall for Amelia, wouldn’t it? She’sbeautiful. Smart. Kind. But it would also be a disaster for all concerned.”

“I’m not falling for her,” Finncountered. “You don’t need to worry about that.”

“I hope not,” Rob said. “It wouldbe bad for both of you. Amelia is a good friend, and she’s been through a lot.”

“She mentioned her fiancé died,”Finn said. “What happened?”

“Yes, he died,” Rob answered. “Butthat’s her business and for her to tell you if she wants to. My main concern isthat on a professional level, I don’t want you as a team to be compromised byany unprofessional relationship. And second, you are going through a lot, so isAmelia, and I don’t think either of you are ready for that sort of thing. Youneed to clear your plate before you get into another relationship.”

Finn could feel Rob beingprotective of both of them, and he appreciated that.

He stood up. “Rob,” he said, “nothingwill happen. You have my word, okay?”

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