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“And?” he said. “Is she still reluctant to talk?”
“The opposite. She was very forthcoming, which is most un-Girvinlike.”
He smiled at her description. “I gather it was useful?”
“She’s convinced that Haxton is colluding with at least two of our suppliers to skim funds. But she can’t put her finger on how he’s doing it. I told her to send those accounts to Logan as soon as she was finished with them.”
Braden shook his head. “We’re going to have to tackle Haxton at some point.”
“Agreed, but I still fail to see how that matter is connected to the missing children.”
“True, but stealing charitable funds could be a powerful motive for another sort of crime.”
She was silent for a moment. “Roger’s murder, you mean.”
“I’m sorry,” he quietly said.
“Don’t be. We simply have to face it and figure out how best to approach it. I was thinking that perhaps Arthur Baines and I might speak to Haxton—”
“No,” Braden cut in, instantly annoyed by the suggestion. “We’re keeping Baines out of this.”
She looked perplexed. “Honestly, I don’t know what you have against Arthur.”
“Aside from the fact that he’s a smarmy prig?”
Samantha held up an admonishing finger. “Really, Braden, one would think you were jealous of the man. That would be ridiculous.”
He caught her hand and brought it down to his lap. “Actually, Iamjealous, even though it makes me sound like an idiotic schoolboy.”
So jealous that he hated to even hear her say the bastard’s name. But beyond that, he didn’t trust Baines, and neither did Logan. While Braden might be just a jealous fool, Logan was as canny as a fox. If he thought something was off with Baines, then it was.
“There is no need to be jealous of Arthur,” she patiently said. “He has no interest in me other than friendship.”
“And what about you?”
She pulled her hand away. “Oh, my God. Do you really think I would have let you kiss me if I was interested in any other man?”
“It’s just that I would hate to think you were simply toying with me.”
She narrowed her gaze. “Your grandfather is correct. Youarea jinglebrains .”
Braden had to laugh. “When did he call me that?”
“Never you mind. And you’re rather mean, too, for making me walk right into your trap.”
“I apologize, sweetheart, but you’ve been a bit hard to pin down in this regard. We do need to discuss my proposal before events overtake us.”
She crossed her arms, which delightfully plumped up her breasts. Braden could see the edge of her stays under the delicate silk of her gown, and he was tempted to trace it with his forefinger.
“I’ve been busy,” she said a bit huffily. “As have you, I might add.”
“You’re right, but I don’t think that’s the only reason you’ve been dodging me.”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Something’s holding you back, Samantha. Something you’re afraid to tell me.”
When she flinched, he knew he’d landed a home hit. A moment later, he could feel her starting to build a mental wall, brick by brick. He slid off the sofa, getting down on one knee, so they were face to face.
