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They left the defense table area as another case was called. She didn’t get three steps past the barrier when Zane grabbed her close and hugged her tight. He started whispering in her ear. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about my subpoena. I didn’t want you to worry.”
“I know.” She hugged him back and whispered in his ear. “I feel like I dodged a bullet, but the gun is still aimed at me and poised to fire again.”
“Doesn’t matter. Let’s celebrate our victory regardless of how brief. One catastrophe at a time, okay?”
Cooper squeezed her shoulder and hugged her when Zane released her. Duke approached from the front of the courtroom, having been left stranded in the witness box without ever answering single question beyond his name and job. He smiled at them as he passed by and said in a low tone, “I’m not sure what they wanted to ask me, but I’m glad you showed up when you did, Jack.”
“Happy to be of service, Duke.”
They all walked out of the courtroom together, congregating in the hallway.
“I have one other matter to discuss with you all.” Jack started talking in low tones, but Abby stopped listening when she noticed the bank manager, Mr. Stevenson, and his lawyer, Mr. Arnold, exiting the courtroom.
They all had sour expressions aimed in her direction. She managed to resist the urge to stick her tongue out at them. She knew this wasn’t over. Mr. Stevenson still blamed her for the falsified loan.
As Jack had warned her, two uniformed officers of the Miser Police Department, accompanied by the detective who’d questioned her the day she was let go, approached their group. The detective’s name was Eckhart. He hadn’t been very sympathetic when he asked her questions.
When they filed past her with barely a glance, and instead headed toward the bank manager, Abby was very surprised. Then again, perhaps they just needed Mr. Stevenson to point her out so they could seize her once more. Didn’t the detective recognize her?
“Mr. Stevenson.” Eckhart said her former boss’s name in the same stern tone he’d used with her two weeks ago. “We’re looking for your nephew, Preston Stevenson. Do you know where he is?”
“He’s at the bank, of course. He’s in charge while I’m here today enduring a tragic miscarriage of justice.” Mr. Stevenson suddenly frowned at the insinuation as if he’d just realized what Eckhart was implying through the drama of his experience in court.
Abby’s mind also whirled with the hint that man responsible for the fraudulent loan might have been Preston. She never would have thought it was him. But he had been acting a little bit strange in the past few weeks before she’d been let go. She’d attributed it to his learning, as they all had, that Mr. Stevenson wasn’t retiring as expected.
In fact, Mr. Stevenson had extended his retirement date twice this year. If he’d retired as initially planned, Preston would have already been in charge for the last three months. Abby knew that Preston was very anxious to take over the day-to-day operations at the bank.
Until now, she’d considered it a move in a positive direction. The first of the loan payments had been due the week after Preston would have been in charge, coincidentally.
Eckhart shook his head. “No, sir. We just came from there. He’d already left for the day.”
“That’s impossible. He should be there.” Mr. Stevenson reached for his phone. He dialed a number and waited, but apparently didn’t get a response. “Well, maybe he’s in a meeting.”
“Where?”
“I wouldn’t know.”
Eckhart asked, “Is there anywhere else you think he could be? We have some questions for him regarding the fraudulent loan investigation at your bank.”
“Well, I don’t know how Preston can help you. He’s my nephew. Completely above reproach. The person you should be looking for is right over there.” Mr. Stevenson pointed at her.
Eckhart didn’t turn to look. He kept his focus on Mr. Stevenson. “I’m sorry sir, but that’s not where the investigation has led us.”
“What? I don’t understand what you mean.” Mr. Stevenson looked very disturbed. His gaze found her and he frowned again. Without warning, he started moving very quickly in her direction. Before he got within three feet, both Zane and Cooper blocked his path.
