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“I’m going to tell you how I think your pay works and you simply confirm or deny. No discussion needed. Got it?” His eyes narrowed and as he seemed like a perfectly reasonable man, I felt no need todefyhim.
“Okay,” I murmured. Then I stared longingly at the stack of files piled around the conferencetable.
“You have a set salary, and then receive a percentage of the money you find and we collect.” Mr. George had a grim look onhisface.
“Yes.” I blew out abreath.
Kate slapped a hand over her mouth to try and hide her gasp. Then she glared at me and slowly lowered her arm. “Twenty years of accounting and you’re going to go through every damn day of it,aren’tyou?”
I cleared my throat. Suddenly, the room seemed incredibly hot. The situation appeared rather volatile, and I could feel my knees threatening to buckle. I reached for my chair, pulled it out, and sank into it. Truth be told, I’d never handled stress well. My mother liked to tell everyone I was like one of those fainting goats. The least little thing would land me on the ground. As I’d done countless times before, I bent over, head between my knees to pull myselftogether.
“Are you okay, Miss Jenner?” Mr. George had come over and squatted a few feetfromme.
“I’m fine. Don’t mind me.” I took a few gulping breaths. “Sadly, this happens more often than I care toadmit.”
“She’s never gonna leave,” Katemoaned.
Mr. George stood and chuckled. “Of course, she will. It’s not like the company set her up in a house oranything.”
I sat up weakly. “Actually, they rented me a fully furnished home inHenderson.”
Kate’s eyes widened and she threw her hands in the air. “See!” She began pacing back and forth on the other side of thetable.
“Calm down, beautiful.” Mr. George walked over to her, grabbed her arm, and spun her into his arms. “What if heart trouble runs in the family? Please remain calm. I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to you.” He drew her to his chest and laid his chin on the top ofherhead.
“Inherit a fortune.” Kate snickered. “If anything happened to me, you’d inherit afortune.”
“Money really isn’t everything.” He positioned her so he could look her in the eyes. “Take my friends, for example. They have money and they happen to be two of the most miserable people I know.” Heshrugged.
Kate giggled maniacally. “Somehow I managed to forget we have our big reception tonight.” She shrugged. “No big deal. I’m sure it will take care of itself,right?”
“Why don’t you work on the dinner? You’re amazing with organizing events and thinking of all the important details.” He brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. “I’ll handleeverythinghere.”
She blew out a breath. “You mean it? I’m terrified if my father finds out about this, it will land him back in the hospital or worse.” She swallowed hard. “I know this is protocol with these types of deals, but I never imagined it would take so long. I never expected it to be so…intense.” Kate made a sweeping gesture with her hand to encompass the file covered table. “I’m sorry I’m handling this sopoorly.”
“Is that what you think? Kate, you have a lot on your plate. I think you’re holding up remarkably well.” Mr. George smoothed her hair back away from her face. “Now, go on. I’ve got this.Promise.”
For the first time in my presence, Kate smiled. “I’m so lucky to have you. Thank you for this.” She stood on her tiptoes and gave him aquickkiss.
As she turned to walk away, he wrapped an arm around her waist, then leaned low to whisper in her ear. “Nah. I’m the lucky one.” Then he released her and she practically danced out oftheroom.
Immediately, I felt better and worse. My shoulders sank. I’d never have that kind of relationship. And now, because I’d been upset, my glasses had fogged up. I pulled them off to wipe them on the hem of my skirt. When I pushed them back onto my face, I found Mr. George staring at me. “Yes?” I askedweakly.
“Truth time. Kate’s father has owned the casino for twenty years. How far back are you going with this audit?” He leaned on the back of the chair a fewfeetaway.
I licked my lips and tried to prepare myself for an angry reaction. “All the way.” Then I bracedmyself.
“All the way. You mean to the previous owner?” His browfurrowed.
“Yes. The transfer happened when he won a bet. There was no audit of the books done at that time. I’ve been instructed to make sure the books reconcile from as far as we have records.” I stared up at him sadly. I didn’t enjoy this part of the job. What excited me was solving the mystery, tracking themoney.
Mr. George straightened and then reached out to hit a button on the phone. “Janet, can you please have Marie bring in all thebooks?”
“Which ones, sir?” She soundedconfused.
“All of them. Every single thing we have about the accounting for the hotel and casino…ever.” He began to rub hisforehead.
“Yes, sir. I’ll help. Marie hasn’t been herself today.” Then the intercom clicked and I knew the conversation hadended.
