Wounded at Home Read online

  In seconds Carrie came to take him to Steel’s office. She didn’t lift an eyebrow at his unexpected visit, but Dirk could hear the questions going through her mind.

  “You didn’t tell me you were coming.” she hissed under her breath.

  “Wanted to surprise you.”

  “Don’t do it again.”

  She opened a door and went in. Cherise Prince sat at a desk on one side of the room. There was a large credenza behind her; a computer and phone on her desk, which had papers strewn across it. On the opposite wall there was a smaller desk and computer. Most likely it was Carrie’s workstation.

  Dirk nodded in Cherise’s direction as Carrie led him to another door and knocked before she opened it.

  Dirk walked in and the door shut quietly behind him. The office was huge. A large desk sat in front of a triple-wide window that overlooked other buildings, and gave a view of the sidewalks, and cars moving down Main Street. At one side of the room, there was a twelve-foot mahogany table with matching chairs. Against one wall, a large sofa, a grouping of chairs, and tables made up a sitting area.

  Nice. The place screamed money.

  Quentin Steel rose from behind his desk and came to meet him. Dirk stuck out his hand and handed him a card before they shook.

  “What can I do for you, Mr. Browning?”

  “Call me Dirk.”

  Steel led the way to the sitting area, waved for Dirk to take a seat. “Would you like something to drink? Coffee? Tea?”

  “I’m fine. Thanks.”

  “This is about the murder and robbery?”

  “It is.”

  “I know HPD and the FBI are involved. Who hired you?”

  “That’s confidential.”

  “I see. I’m sure you have the reports from the authorities, what do you want from me?”

  “Information.”

  Steel frowned. He obviously wasn’t too happy about this interview, but Dirk figured he would probably cooperate until the questions turned personal.

  “You can ask, but I’ve told all I know.”

  “This is just a follow-up. Did Martin Oakes have the wherewithal to make ten million dollars disappear?”

  Steel grimaced. “Absolutely. He was a top-notch computer guru and a trusted employee.” His face turned serious. “He was the best. I don’t know why he would steal my money. Or where he sent it.” He rubbed a hand through his expertly cut hair. “I relied on him. I don’t know how I’ll get along without his expertise.”

  “I’m sorry. If I don’t dig deep you’ll never see your money again.”

  “That can’t happen. If my clients get a whiff of this, they’ll pull their accounts and I’ll have to start over. I’m too old for that.”

  “Tell me who else, besides yourself, has the ability to make a transfer of this nature?”

  “The cops and the FBI asked the same question. As far as I know, I’m the only one here who knows the passwords.”

  “No one else?”

  “No one except Martin. And he’s gone.”

  “What about your administrative assistant? Would she know?”

  “Cherise? Even if she had the passwords I doubt she’d know the logistics. She’s smart, but not that smart.”

  “Then that leaves you.”

  Steel’s mouth clamped shut. His eyes glared into Dirk’s. “Number one: the missing money came from my personal account. Why would I take it from myself? That doesn’t make sense. Number Two: I have an alibi for that night. There are dozens of people who can verify it.”

  Steel stood, telling Dirk the interview was over.

  “We both know your insurance will cover the loss, Mr. Steel. So I’ll let that go for now. Do you mind if I have a few words with Ms. Prince?” Seeing the dark look on Steel’s face, Dirk added, “Just to satisfy myself she’s in the clear.”

  “If necessary. But if I find you’ve harassed her, I’ll turn you in.”

  Dirk almost laughed. Who would the man turn him in to? The cops? They might reprimand him, but little else. “I wouldn’t think of it.”

  Steel opened the door and called Cherise inside. “Mr. Browning wants to ask you a few questions. You can use my office.” He stalked out. Before the door shut, Dirk saw him stop at Carrie’s desk, lean over as if he were asking her to join him for lunch.

  Dirk didn’t hear her answer.

  But the look on Cherise’s face would put Carrie in her grave.

  He’d have to warn Carrie she needed to be more careful of Cherise than Steel.

  Dirk introduced himself before he led Cherise to a chair at the table and sat across from her. “I won’t keep you long.”

  “I’ve told the cops and the FBI all I know.”

  “I realize that, but my client isn’t satisfied with the answers. I’m here to either verify them or knock them down.”

  Cherise was a beautiful woman. Most likely, that was Steel’s first criteria when hiring. A long-legged blonde with sky-blue eyes, and a flawless complexion, undoubtedly didn’t hurt her rise in the business world. She was petite, stood five-foot-five at the most. And her curves were in all the right places.

  Dirk could easily see why men would want her.

  Strangely, she did nothing for him. No thoughts of dating or bedding. Until his thoughts suddenly turned to Sky.

  “So?”

  He cleared his throat. “How well did you know Martin Oakes?”

  “Well enough.”

  Dirk leaned over the table. “Don’t give me partial answers, Ms. Prince, or we’ll be here all day. I’ve heard you and he had an affair. True or false?”

  “True.”

  “The same with your boss?”

  She glared. “True.”

  “When did you break it off with Martin?”

  “He did. I wasn’t ready.”

  “How long ago?”

  “A few months.”

  “He told his wife he broke up with you at least a year ago.”

  “That’s what he wanted her to believe.”

  “So you didn’t?”

  “Not right away.”

  “Why break up at all?”

  “His wife was making noises about a divorce. Martin didn’t want to share what he had. He told me to hang loose, that we’d get back together later.”

  “And you believed him?”

  “I have one weakness, Mr. PI. And it’s men. I believe every stupid lie they tell me.”

  “Did he give you his passwords? “

  “Yes.”

  “Since you had access to his computer, did you use that information to transfer the missing ten million? Did you stab him to get it?”

  Her face paled. “Are you kidding? If I was that smart, or that dumb, I wouldn’t be here now, would I?”

  “I don’t know. You might.” That way the authorities wouldn’t be hunting for her. She could sit at her desk innocent-like and wait it out. In a year she could quietly quit and have millions to retire on.

  “Well, I didn’t. As a matter of fact, I was on a date the night of the murder. My date will verify where we went and the times.”

  Dirk opened a small notebook and jotted down her date’s name.

  He looked up. “Did Martin have any enemies?”

  “Only his wife. She hated him. Hated me. I’m glad she’s in jail.”

  Dirk stood. “That’s all, Ms. Prince. Thanks for your time.”

  She didn’t answer, just walked out, leaving him alone in the room.

  He hadn’t found out a thing he didn’t already know. Both suspects could have moved the money. Both had alibis. Dory had made a vengeful enemy. Cherise Prince would make a good witness for the prosecution.

  Carrie wasn’t at her desk when he left. He hoped to hell she hadn’t gone to lunch with that jerk, Quentin Steel. As far as Dirk was concerned, if Sky’s sister was innocent, the only other person who could possibly be guilty was the man who had just left his office in a huff.

  The man Carrie could be with this very moment.


  Chapter Twelve

  In the break room, Sky plugged the final figure into her computer for a new client’s account and hit send. She was just considering whether it was time to try another search for the missing money when Dirk walked in. He looked good. His wide shoulders almost filled the doorframe. For a moment, she forgot her vow to stay as far away as physically possible. For a moment, she wanted to walk into his embrace and simply be held. Tight.

  She half rose from her chair before coming to her senses. “Tell me everything.”

  He sat across from her. “Not much to tell. If either Steel or Cherise are guilty, we’ll have to break their alibis, or find the person they hired to kill Martin and move the money. I can see how it would be easy enough to find someone to do the killing, but to move the money? I don’t think so.”

  “I could.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Don’t misunderstand me. I could never kill another person, but I could easily move the money. I could hide it as well. What I can’t do is trace it after it’s been piggy-backed onto another account and could be anywhere.”

  “Do you think that’s how this was done?”

  “I’ve been thinking about it. It’s the only way I can see for the money to have disappeared so completely.”

  “Are you telling me you don’t think it will ever be found?”

  Sky shrugged and blew out a slow breath. “It’s a possibility.”

  Everyone thought the banking world was complicated. It wasn’t. To put it simply, a bank was a storage place to keep clients money safe. The more depositors a bank had, the more they could lend, and the more they would profit. To transfer money from one bank to another was as easy as a click or two on the computer.

  Hiding it took a little more finesse and, thankfully, few crooks were smart enough to have the connections and the wherewithal to do it with any modicum of success.

  But someone had.

  “Quentin Steel and Martin Oakes were both capable of stealing the money and hiding it. If it was Martin, he died with the access information. If it was Steel, he’s biding his time so he can access it when it’s safe to do so. Though the money came from his account, that doesn’t make sense unless he’s trying to hide the money from his wife or he has a gambling problem. Unless we can prove either option, I’m not sure he’s a viable suspect. If that’s the case, we’re screwed.”

  “Not necessarily,” Sky told him. “It will turn up, eventually.”

  “Can I join you?” Coop said from the doorway.

  “We’re brainstorming,” Sky said. “Please. We can use the help.”

  “I got through earlier than I anticipated,” Coop said as he grabbed a cup of coffee.

  Sky went to get another bottle of water. “Want anything?” she asked Dirk.

  “Water. Are there any donuts left?”

  She peeked in the box. Two. Probably stale.

  She brought the box and two bottles of water to the table and sat back down. Dirk grabbed one of the sure-to-be stale donuts, his blue eyes alight with eagerness. From what she had seen, the man would eat anything, good or not, made with sugar. He took the bottle of water, tucked it under his half-arm and twisted the cap. She was still amazed at what he could do with one arm. The thought sent a hot flash through her body.

  After taking a long drink from the bottle, Dirk gave Coop a quick rundown on what they knew so far. “Going on what we know, why would Martin want that much money at this particular time? If Cherise is involved, why would she? If Steel is connected, it doesn’t make sense.”

  “I think Martin’s potential motive is the easiest to understand. He knew Dory was about to ask for a divorce. He had money, but not as much as he’d like. Stealing from Steel would be very enticing.”

  “I agree, Sky. But if that’s true, who killed him?” Coop insisted.

  Dirk leaned over the table, bringing him closer to her. Sky caught a hint of his tangy after-shave and edged back. “Steel. Had to be. He found Martin in the process of sending the money, killed him, but not soon enough, since Martin managed to stay alive long enough to send the money elsewhere.”

  “And now Steel doesn’t know where it is.” Sky studied the men. The brothers were smart and she was more than thankful they were on her side. “He’s angry because someone took his money and he has no idea where Oates sent it. It makes sense.”

  Dirk finished the donuts and wiped his hand on a napkin. “It’s conjecture, but if we break his alibi he’ll be our number one suspect.”

  “Could the money be lost forever?” Coop pondered. “That’s a lot of dollars to float around and never be found.”

  “If it’s piggy-backed as I think it must be, it will show up eventually. It has to. Figures don’t lie. One day it will pop up exactly where the sender wanted it to.”

  “If you had access to Steel’s accounts, could you see where it was piggy-backed?”

  Could she? “I don’t know. I would need his customer files, which he’d never in a million years give to anyone.”

  Coop and Dirk exchanged glances. “Carrie.”

  “C’mon, guys. Don’t put Carrie in a dangerous position. If Steel killed once, he would kill again. Please don’t go there.”

  “All we’d need is a copy of what’s in his computer. She can do that.”

  Sky stood, gathered her things. “Let’s go, Dirk. You can’t put Carrie in danger. I won’t allow it.”

  In her mind’s eye, she saw the beautiful redhead who had tossed a playful smile at the men when she left the office this morning. If anything happened to her because of this case, Sky couldn’t live with herself.

  They got into the pickup and she buckled up. “Are we going to see Dory?”

  “Not today.”

  Sky hated to admit it, but it was a relief not to have to listen to Dory’s complaints. They were doing all they could. Dory would have to be patient.

  The thought almost made Sky smile. Patience wasn’t in Dory’s vocabulary.

  Dirk’s silence told Sky he wasn’t happy with her. Again. “I wouldn’t venture to tell you how to run an investigation, but I’m serious about not putting Carrie in danger. Enough lives are upside down because of Martin’s murder. I don’t want anyone else hurt.”

  “We would never put one of our operatives in a position we thought dangerous. Carrie’s a pro. She knows what she’s doing.”

  “Being in Steel’s office is risky enough. What if he finds out who she is and why she’s there? What if he hurts her?”

  “That’s enough, Sky,” Dirk snapped. “You’re letting your emotions get away from you. Maybe you should stay at the bungalow until this is over.”

  Not that old refrain again. “I don’t think so.” She bristled. No one had told her what to do since she was sixteen.

  “Do you realize you are as obstinate as you accuse Dory of being?”

  “That isn’t true. I want to be part of the investigation and I can’t do it sitting forty miles away.”

  “Once Carrie gets a copy of Steel’s clients from his computer, you’ll have plenty to do. Plus, you have your customers to take care of. You’ll be busy enough.”

  He hadn’t heard a word she’d said. He was going to put Carrie in even more danger regardless of Sky’s objections.

  She clamped her mouth shut.

  Regardless of Dirk’s orders, she’d find a way to stay close to the action.

  “Where are we going?” They were headed in the opposite direction from home. The thought startled her. When had she started thinking of Dirk’s place as home?

  “You wanted to pick up some clothes, didn’t you?”

  Was he serious? “I planned on going with Lanie.”

  “You won’t be safe with Lanie.”

  “We were going to take Thor with us.”

  He shook his head in exasperation.

  “Do you like to shop?”

  “Hate it.”

  “Then turn around and let’s go to the house.”
r />   He ignored her and drove into the parking area for the Galleria Shopping Center. “Pick the store. First, put on your cap and sunglasses.”

  “For goodness’ sake, Dirk. You have no right to call anyone stubborn. You take the word to new levels.”

  He chuckled.

  Her heart hitched at the sound. Darn man. Why did he make her feel things no other man had? It wasn’t going to be easy keeping her distance. Maybe staying out of sight at the bungalow wasn’t such a bad idea.

  It ended up being fun making Dirk’s life miserable for a couple of hours. She tried on clothes, didn’t like them. Tried on more. He did his best to help her along by picking up a few things and handing them to her. She shook her head. Not the right color. Not the right style. His lips pinched tight in frustration. For a while she thought he might go to the nearest wall and pound his head against it. She had to fight to restrain the laughter bubbling up. Served the man right.

  She and Lanie could do better. But he wouldn’t hear of it.

  “How do you ever find anything? Nothing suits you.”

  Actually, a couple of things had. And she’d put them aside without him knowing. She grabbed a handful of clothes. “I’ll just try these on. Won’t be a minute.”

  “Right.” He found a chair by the dressing room and sat with his right arm folded over his left.

  Sky waved the clerk into the dressing room. “I’ll take these,” she handed a few things to her. Take them out with you and ring them up. I’ll be paying cash.”

  “Certainly.”

  Ten minutes later, Sky emerged from the dressing room. “Ready?”

  “You wanted clothes. We’re here. Find something.”

  “I was thinking of going next door.”

  The look on his face was priceless, but he’d suffered enough.

  She sailed past him and went to the counter where the clerk had already rung up the jacket, skirt, and two pairs of pants. Sky handed her the exact amount of cash, took the two bags, and looked at Dirk. “We’d better get to the house or you’ll have to work the dogs late tonight.”