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Jolie clapped her hands. “That’s perfect. We’ve got plenty of room. You’re coming out to the farm with us. Please say yes.”

If Ginny hadn’t met Burke yet, the chances Rissa would have to deal with him were very low. It was her problem that she was uncomfortable, knowing she hadn’t mattered to him nearly as much as he’d mattered to her. Rissa looked between the two women and found herself smiling and looking forward to seeing their No Phailed Apples farm and inn. Time to take a risk. “Yes.”

Burke opened his condo door to Joel Anderson. His former boss looked as if he’d aged decades in the past months. Since learning that Curt had been embezzling, Joel had understandably changed. Gone was the confident, charismatic man who’d given Burke an opportunity straight out of the military. Instead, Joel could barely muster a smile.

Burke gestured. “Come on in, Joel. I’ll grab us coffee.” Because coffee was the lifeblood of their profession.

He’d brewed a fresh pot, so he poured two mugs; no cream or sugar, just pure caffeine.

He brought them to where Joel stared at the view. His former boss took the offered mug. “Thanks. Hell of a view you’ve got here. Are you sure you want to give it up?”

Burke nodded. “I’m sure. It’s time for a change.”

Joel sighed. “Thanks to Curt.”

His friend’s voice broke, but Burke nodded while he gave the man a moment to compose himself. “It’s not on you, Joel. You’re an honorable man and everyone knows that.”

“Thank you. I can’t believe what he’s turned into. His mother would be heartbroken.”

From Burke’s investigation and his conversations with the FBI, it appeared Curt had started having problems after his mother’s death, but Burke wasn’t bringing that up. Joel didn’t need another reason to feel guilty.

Besides, Curt had been an adult, not a child. His choices were his own.

Burke sipped his own coffee. “I wish I’d seen things early on. Maybe I could have intervened then. Maybe we could have pulled him back on track.”

Joel sighed. “I feel the same. He’s so afraid of prison and the Clancy family, but he hasn’t expressed any remorse about stealing from our clients or spending their money on gambling. Not an ounce of regret.”

“Hopefully, he’ll get some help while he’s in custody.”

Joel nodded. “You can still take over the company and make it your own with a name change. All the clients have asked if you’d take them on. You’re the only one I’d trust with it.”

Burke shook his head. “Thank you. That means a lot, but no. I’ll keep on a few clients I’ve been working with for years, but it’s time for a change.”

Joel nodded and looked over his shoulder at the moving boxes filling the room. “You’re serious about leaving Boston?”

“I am. I want to check on my family. See if they’re okay. Make sure they’re happy.”

“Good idea. If I’d been more aware of doing that for Curt, I might have had an inkling before everything blew up in my face.”

“Not your fault, Joel. Curt’s an adult and made his own choices. He could have asked either of us for help at any time. Pisses me off that he didn’t. I was supposed to be his mentor, and he fooled me, too.”

Joel sipped again. “I’m making restitution to all the clients.”

That was going to be a pile of money. “Do you need⁠—”

Joel cut him off. “Thank you, but no. I’ve talked with them all. It’ll take some time, but I’ll work out a payment plan with everyone.”

“You’re a good man, Joel. I know you’ve worked your ass off to find staff jobs with other firms. Not many would do so much to fix a problem they didn’t create.”

Joel snorted, then moved to place his mug in the sink. “I should have seen it, but I wasn’t looking. It never occurred to me he’d cheat. I’ll get out of your way now. I just wanted to give you a final chance to take it over before I finalize things with the lawyers.”

“Thanks, Joel.”

Joel shook his hand. “Thanks for everything you’ve done for the firm, Burke. You’re an excellent accountant and a better man. You go make sure your family’s okay.”

Burke closed the door with his own sigh. His heart ached for his friend and mentor. Joel didn’t deserve to have his son turn into a criminal.

Now that he’d voiced it aloud, Burke itched to get to Vermont, to check on everyone. He knew none of them would turn out to be jackasses like Curt, but he wanted to see them, assure himself all was well, and they weren’t hiding things from him. Curt Anderson had kept him away from his family for long enough.