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She shook her head. “Isaac’s the one who works for him at the mayor’s office, not me. I’d try to step in and do things around town, but Dad only wanted me to look pretty and stand around with my mom at town events. Isaac’s the one who’s always with Dad. Learning and being groomed by him.”
Cade snorted. “It’s not exactly like we can ask Isaac about any of this, and I’m not sure about involving your dad. I don’t trust him, either. Not when he’s been poking around my business, and I wasn’t even aware.”
“The big question now is if Matthew knows what our dad’s been doing. I think it’s time we clue him in on what’s going on.” She bit into her thumbnail as she waited for Cade’s response. She’d wanted to bring Matthew in from the beginning but had respected Cade’s need for answers.
Cade scrubbed a hand over his face. “Fine. After we talk to Mrs. Collins, we’ll stop by Matthew’s place. This isn’t a conversation I want to have over the phone.”
A knot of anxiety tightened her insides. It was past time to discuss everything with Matthew, and she hoped he was as confused about everything as they were. Because if he wasn’t, then their problems just got even bigger.
16
Cade sent off a text to Matthew then studied the estimates Mrs. Collins had handed over. His eyes felt like crossing. After their discussion, he wasn’t surprised by what he read. But it didn’t make it any less troublesome to see in print.
“Are either of you going to tell me what’s going on?” Mrs. Collins had sat back in the armchair and tucked her short legs beneath her.
“I wish I knew what the hell was happening. Each second, my head is spinning more and more.” Needing to expel some nervous energy, he pushed to his feet and walked around to the back of the couch.
The old floors creaked under his weight. He’d give anything to spend the afternoon combing through the books lining the built-in shelves instead of tackling problems. But he couldn’t bury his head in the sand.
“Why don’t you start at the beginning?” Mrs. Collins followed him with her gaze. Her pinched expression displayed both her concern and confusion. “Sometimes talking things through from A to Z can help find the missing pieces.”
He stopped behind the couch and gripped the edge. “Laura found a flash drive at the office. We think that’s why she was attacked.”
“So not Isaac?” Mrs. Collins asked.
Laura snorted. “As you’ve witnessed, he’s not exactly one to hide his face when going after me.”
Mrs. Collins reached out and squeezed Laura’s hand. “He’ll get what’s coming to him. They always do. I’m so sorry you were there when someone broke in to get this doodad Cade’s talking about. But what’s on this thing? Why would someone want it?”
He struggled not to laugh at her description of the flash drive. “Spreadsheets filled with numbers I couldn’t make heads or tails of, but Laura figured out they were related to past project payments. From there we’ve discovered missing estimates, as well as involvement from Jenson Metcalf that I never knew about. He shouldn’t be talking to our clients at all, and I can’t help but feel he’s up to something.”
He held his tongue about Matthew’s possible involvement. He’d talk with his partner soon enough. But one thing was certain, Jenson had overstepped by speaking with his customers.
“Mrs. Collins, you’ve lived in this town a long time,” Laura said, cutting into the mounting tension smothering the room. “Have local businesses always been asked to donate to projects that benefit the town?”
“Honestly, I wouldn’t know the answer to that. I’ve never owned a business, and any place I’ve worked in the past wouldn’t have filled me in on that sort of information. There are plenty of other people who could have answers, though. Mrs. Crawley over at Crawley’s Confections has been there for decades, and Bob Truly who owned the hardware store.”
“What about payments?” Cade asked. “When Jenson gave you the second estimate, did he mention where to send the check?”
“If I remember correctly, the estimates indicate who to make the check out to.” A beat of silence passed as Mrs. Collins wrung her hands in her lap. “Are you saying the community outreach fund is a fraud?”
“Not necessarily,” Laura said, drawing out the words. “My dad is too smart to just feed funds from a well-known fundraising effort into his bank account. He’d need a way to get his hands on the money that would fly under the radar. Like using another company to clean the cash.”
Cade tightened his grip on the couch. Nothing could ever be simple. “We’ll get to the bottom of this. I just hope no one else gets hurt before we do.”
Mrs. Collins blew out a long breath. “That’s good to hear. Because without seeking more funds from the community outreach program, I’m not sure we could move forward with the shelter. I wouldn’t have the resources to do many more changes to this place. Especially with already being financially committed to the updates for the food pantry.”
“I don’t think there’s much that really needs changed,” Laura said. “Women who need shelter want a warm, safe place to stay. There’s plenty of space here. Rooms to sleep in, space for support group meetings or designated times to get together, and a soon-to-be amazing kitchen to share a meal and heal together.”
Mrs. Collins nodded as Laura poured out her vision. Listening to her enthusiasm helped loosen some of the knots in Cade’s stomach. He rested his hands on her shoulders, kneading gently while her excitement built with each word—each idea. Timing was everything in life, and this opportunity had swept in right when Laura needed it most.
Gave her something to focus on instead of her fear and uncertainty.
Fear and uncertainty he wanted to protect her from, allowing her the chance to focus only on the joy and happiness ahead.
As Laura wound down, Mrs. Collins dabbed the corners of her eyes with a tissue. “My dear. What you’ve just described is beautiful. I would love nothing more than to use my home as safe place for women and children in need. To protect and love and comfort anyone who comes through my door.”
He finally rounded the sofa and sat next to Laura, shifting to face Mrs. Collins. “I’ve already told Laura I’ll do anything I can to help, and I know other people in town will, too.”
