Chapter 10
“I’m not even sure where to start,” mumbled, staring at the job board in the corner of the small café. “Secretary, server, admin assistant nothing about
“Mom,” Luna teed my sleeve, rou love painting, right?”
I looked down at her “I do, sweetheart. But palni ing won’t pay the rent. Not yet, anyway.”
“You could teach,” she said brightly.
“That’s not a bad idea,” I smiled. “But first we need something stable,”
Lunatilted her head. “You’re afrald, aren’t you?”
1 blinked, or what?
“That I won’t like it here. That I’ll be sad,” she shrugged. “But I’m not. I like it, likes.”
I felt my chest tighten. “You’re okay with all this? with the new place, the school, the language—”
“I’m okay,” she said firmly. “I’m happy because you’re happy.”
Before I could respond, my phone rang again.
Lanswered. “HI.‘
“Anna. Are you busy right now?” Her voice was quick, nermus.
–
“I’m with Luna,” I said, already beacing for something serious. “What’s going on?
“I need your help, “shesaid “It’s… I need to speak to you in person can you come by?”
-what? Now!!!
“If possible.”
who was busy drawing smiley faces in the condensation on the cate window “We’ll be there in a couple of hours.”
Susan opened the door before I could even knock
“You cante,” she said, relieved, “Come in, come in.‘
Luna lacked off her shoes and went to greet Bella, the family’s old golden retriever, who practically melted into her arms.
_“Tea?” Susan odiered
“No, just tell me what’s going on,” I said, folding myanma
susan looked over her shoulder, then led me to the sitting room. She pulled out a folder from the drawer onder the coffee table and handed it to me.
on take a look”
-opened it and stared at the printed spreadsheets, bank records, and digital screenshots of transactions.
“What am I looking at?”
“The company accounts,” ala said, “Specifically, some expenses that didn’t look right to me
“Expenses:”
“Transiers. Payments. To shell companies. Unfamiliar vendor names And all started just after will got sick ”
My eyes mamwed. “And?”
“i think Charlotte has something to do with it,”
Susan nodded. “I’ve seen her hanging around more she’s become his shadow. She cominced him to move some meetings. She even talked him into firing his financial advisor–who, might I add, had been with him for ten years.”
“What are you saying exactly?” I asked. “That she’s stealing money?”
“I don’t have proof,” Susan said, rubbing his fourhead. “But something is off. And you know how Will is he listens to whoever’s in his ear.”
“Okay, so what do you want me to do?”
Susan hesitated, then looked at me with pleading eyes. “I want you to find out. Talk to someone in the company. Look into it.”
I laughed bitterly. “No. That’s not my job anymore. That was never my job, actually.”
“Anna, please.”
| shook my head.” left. You know I left. You helped me leave. Why would I walk back into that place just to go snooping!
“Because you’re smart, “Susan said. “Because you know how things workin that company. And because I can’t do it on my owi”
“Initiot some undercover detective,” I said. “Hire a forensic accountant.
“They won’t have access like you would. You still have contacts, don’t you? People who’d trust
you?
was quiet
Susan pressed, “And you still care about what happens to that company. Don’t tell me you don’t.”
|_ Inbbed my temples. “This wasn’t supposed to follow me here.”
“It’s not about Will,” she said. “This is about stoppling someone dangerous from doing more damage.
1staved quiet.
looked up. “Do you think she’s using him?”
“I think she’s always been using him. But now? Now it’s worse. He’s vulnerable. And if someone doesn’t put a stop to it, she’ll bleed the company dry–and walk away with it.”
1 glanced back at the folder. “You really believe it’s her?”
“Everything changed after she showed up,” Susan said. “The take smiles, the take care. I’ve seen it before. She’s strategic Calculating ”
Iclosed the folder. “And Will?”
”
“He won’t listen to me, ‘she said bitterly. “But maybe.. maybe he’ll listen to you.”
1 scotted. “He’s been calling nonstop. I haven’t answered.”
Susan gave me a look. “Then maybe it’s time you did.”
I leaned back on the sofa, letting out a long breath. Luna was in the hallway giggling as she played with the dog. I didn’t want any of this to touch her. Not again.
“I’m not promising anything, “I mattered.
“just look into it. Quietly,” Susan said. “That’s all I’m asking.
I stared at the folder. “It I do this it ends there. No dragging me into board meetings. No manipulating me into a comeback.
Susan held up her hand, “Deal”
I got up and walked toward the hallway.
“Arma?” she called behind me
“Yeah?”
“I meant what I said before,” she said softly. “You stayed for ten years. That’s more than enough.”
I nodded once and turned away before she could see my face.
I didn’t want to get involved.
But Susan had helped me when no one else did–kept my secret, protected Luna, and never asked for anything in return. So, I did the one thing I swore I wouldn’t: I
returned to that office.
Charlotte was smug when I confronted her, right until I laid the evidence out in front of her.
meforged these authorizations, “I said coldly. “Multiple times. You’ve been siphoning company funds under fake vendor accounts.”
“Tut’s ridiculous,” she snapped. “Will would never believe you.”
“Let’s see.”
caught.
I marched her straight into Will’s office, dragging the folder with me. She trailed behind, nervous now, car
Will looked up from his desk, eyes widening when he saw me.
“Anna,” he breathed, stunned. “You–you’re here?”
I didn’t answer that. I dropped the folder on his desk
“Open it. Before you keep letting the wrong person whisper in your ear.”
His eyes licked to the pages, confusion tuming to disbelief, then rage. Charlotte stepped back, stammering
“I–I didn’t–this isn’t-
1 tumed toward the door.
“Why are you doing this?” Will asked quietly.
“I’m not doing it for you,” I said, not bothering to look back “Susan asked for my help. I kept my promise. That’s all.”
He stood, taking a step forward.
Tut I was already at the door.
“Take care of your company, Will,” I said. “And try not to lose what little you have leti.”
walked out before he could say another word, disappearing down the hall without looking back
