“You doing okay in here? You worked right through our coffee break, and it’s time to go.”
Dani looked at the clock. “I didn’t realize how late it was! I got into the groove and forgot about everything else.”
Shirley smiled. “I’m glad you’re okay. I was afraid that with everything that happened, you were upset with us or something.”
“Not at all! I’m so sorry. I really just got lost in the work.”
“The numbers are that interesting, huh?”
Dani chuckled. “Sometimes.” Like when you’re finally on the scent after what felt like weeks of nothing. “In fact, since my appointment and the interview with the police officers took up some of my morning, I’m going to stay a little later and keep going.”
“Don’t work too hard. You’re young. You should be out there living your life. Don’t let it pass you by.” Shirley smiled like an indulgent parent.
Going out and “living life” was not on the Kims’ ten-year plan. Ever.
But now that she was finally on the right track with these accounts, she couldn’t stop working. She was getting close. “I promise I won’t stay too long.”
Shirley’s lips pinched a moment. “I don’t know that I like the idea of you staying here alone in the office. Especially after last night.”
“No need to worry about that,” a deep voice said. “I’m here to escort Dani home.”
Michael’s handsome face appeared behind Shirley, who spun around with a hand to her chest.
“Goodness, Detective. You startled the starch right out of me!” She dropped her hands and grabbed his arm. “But I’m so glad you’re here to protect our Dani. I still can’t believe someone acted so maliciously. Did you figure anything out?”
“We’re still investigating leads. But for now, I’m here to make sure she gets home safely.” His tone was confident and steady.
The muscles in Dani’s shoulders immediately relaxed as he stepped into the office. She hadn’t even realized she’d been so tense. But Michael’s presence always did have a calming effect on her. At least, when she wasn’t trying so hard to impress him.
“Well, I’ll leave you to it.” Shirley’s expression took on a bit of a scheming smile. “Don’t forget what I said, Dani, about livin’ and all.” She winked before she left.
Michael tilted his head, staring after the older lady. “What was that all about?”
Heat rose to Dani’s cheeks. “Nothing.” She stopped herself from fanning her face. How had it gotten so warm so fast?
“What are you working on?” Michael pulled a chair over from the corner and joined her at her desk, bringing a waft of his masculine amber scent. It might be her new favorite smell ever.
But back to his question…
“I think I’m getting close. I’m tracking down all the transactions into and out of the donation accounts. How was your guy told to launder the money?”
Michael sat up straighter. “He was supposed to deposit their cash and then make donations to certain nonprofits.”
“Which nonprofits?”
“We don’t know. He wouldn’t agree to do it, which was why he was beaten. We’re trying to get our captain on board with having our victim become an informant, but our guy is pretty scared right now, and the captain isn’t sold on it. We had a sketch done with the one woman he met, but it hasn’t gotten us anywhere.”
Dani stared at him. “That’s pretty coincidental, don’t you think? If both of our cases are dealing with embezzled or laundered money funneling into nonprofits?”
“I don’t believe in coincidences.” Michael stared at her. “And it wouldn’t be unheard of if this group is trying to launder a bunch of money through multiple businesses.”
“I guess not. But it would be quite the criminal undertaking. People in a lot of different roles.”
Michael stilled.
“What?”
“My mom was investigating a case with Donner. Off the books. They’re both dead. What are the chances they were looking into the citywide corruption back then? What if she was looking into the Shadow Syndicate?”
