Page 54 of Detective Daddy Next Door

"Daisy kidnapped me because I was helping the police investigate the fraud case. They’ve been filing false tax returns and stealing from clients."

"You knew about the fraud case, and you were helping the police? Why didn't you tell me about it?"

"Because the police thought you were involved."

"What?" She sits back down slowly. "Why would they think that?"

"I always doubted it myself. I didn't know it was Daisy until the night she kidnapped me."

"You know how hard I work to make sure the firm is successful. Why would I ruin that by getting involved in fraud?"

I put my head down. I will feel like shit forever for thinking she could have been involved.

"Is it about my house or the lifestyle I live? My father was quite wealthy before he passed. He left a lot of money to me. I was the only child. I got the house and started the firm thanks to my inheritance. I didn't just want to rely on my father's money. I wanted to build something for myself, too. Now I have to watch it crumble."

"Oh no, please don't say that. It won't crumble."

She snorts. "What do you think will happen when Daisy is caught? Word will get out. And guess what? It will be the name of the firm dragged through the mud. I'll lose clients. Celebrities and their publicists don't like scandal. And I won't fault you if you want to leave."

"I'm not leaving, and the firm won't crumble. I'll make sure of that. I'll make sure the police make it clear that you have nothing to do with it. Myles will make sure of that."

"What has Myles got to do with the police?" she pauses. "Oh, I see. He’s a detective?"

I nod slowly.

"That was why he was introduced to me as Jasper?"

"Yes."

She sighs. "When he came for my birthday party, he was investigating the firm then?"

"Yes."

"I see. Now I know why Daisy is missing, but why is Ben missing, too? Is everyone intent on running my firm down?"

"Ben is also in on the fraud."

She shakes her head in resignation.

"I'll be coming back to work soon. But we just need all of this to be settled. Micha, I’m sorry for ever suspecting you could be involved in this. But please, know that I never really believed it. There was always doubt in my mind."

"Thanks for the apology. I know that it must have been hard for you. I understand. And I hope they're caught soon." She stands up. "I have to leave now. Please, take good care of yourself. And let me know if you need any help.”

Her cheeks are redder than they’ve ever been as she stands staring at me, although it doesn’t look like she’s got any blush on.

She slaps her thigh. "Alright. We'll talk and I'll see you soon."

"Thank you for coming," I say as I see her to the door.

When she's gone and I've locked the door, I stand staring into space, the look on her face still so strong in my memory.

"So, what are they doing about it? They really need to be fast about it or she'll get away again. They don't expect us to do their jobs for them, do they? Alright. Alright. Thanks."

Myles ends the call. "That was Jon. He says they traced Daisy's phone to Chicago."

"Chicago? She never told me she knew anyone there."

"Well, maybe she's trying to get as far away from Long Beach as she can. She made the mistake of turning on her phone to make a call. But it's been switched off since then. I don't like how slow they're being with the case. They don't expect me to go to Chicago to find her myself after all that we did here."

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