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Amelia gnawed her bottom lip. “Someone’s stealing from him.”
“All this time, I half-thought Nadia had just lost her ring,” Leo admitted. “And I figured Ari was lying about the watch, and he was really looking for the list we took.”
“Me too.”
“But with the coins gone, I think there is actually a thief among us.”
“I didn’t even notice the coins,” Amelia said, frowning.
“You were too engrossed in your book.” Leo had loved watching her read. He’d spent way too long staring at her as she gasped and giggled and lost herself in the story she’d picked up. “The coins were next to the door, on the far side of the writing desk next to the window.”
“What do we do?” Amelia tucked her legs up and wrapped her arms around her shins, resting her chin on her knee. “It was kind of fun snooping around before, but…”
“Now it feels serious?”
She nodded.
Leo stretched out on the armchair he’d chosen, threading his fingers together behind his head. He glanced at the couch cushion beside Amelia and set his lips in a grim line. “Let’s call those numbers and find out what Ari’s hiding.”
EIGHTEEN
Amelia watchedLeo fetch the list from beneath the couch cushion before grabbing his laptop. He settled on the couch beside Amelia, his knee touching hers as he arranged the laptop and the list on the coffee table.
She wondered if she was making a mistake. None of this was supposed to happen. She was supposed to learn some tips about how to get over her crippling awkwardness, pretend to be Leo’s doting fiancée, then go on her way.
The worst part was Amelia was enjoying herself. She liked the way Leo glanced at her, eyes glimmering. She liked how he put his hand on her knee and squeezed gently, either to reassure her or himself.
Amelia licked her lips. “What do we do now?”
“Give me your phone.”
She straightened. “Why my phone?”
“They might be able to connect my number to the company.”
Amelia tilted her head from side to side, then tapped on the laptop a few times. “We’ll use an online phone service. It’s anonymous.” She set it up, then tilted the laptop toward Leo. Her heart thumped. “It’s ready. Who do you want to call?”
“Let’s just go down the list.”
The first two numbers had no answer. The third call was picked up by a woman.
“Heather Burton?” Leo said.
“This is she,” an older woman replied. “Who am I speaking to?”
“My name is”—a panicked look at Amelia—“Rod…Todd,” Leo lied. “I’m calling on behalf of Ari Ashfield.”
Rod Todd, Amelia mouthed, incredulous. That was nearly as bad as Kitty Catelli. Leo seriously had to work on his fake name game.
There was a brief pause. Then, “Ari? From Goodhew? Our account is closed as of three months ago. My assistant confirmed it. What’s this regarding?”
Amelia frowned, then listened to Leo lie through his teeth and ultimately accomplish nothing. They found no new information. Amelia slumped back on the sofa as Leo hung up the call. He scowled at the screen, then picked up the list to try again.
“Okay, hold up,” Amelia said. “You need to take a breath and come up with a better fake name.”
“What’s wrong with Rod Todd?”
Amelia smacked him on the arm, laughing. “Stop it.”
