“Do you know a lot about computers?” asked Scarlett, who didn’t know the first thing about the devices. “Only I’ve got a great-nephew who’s a real computer whiz. And if you want I could give him a call. I’ll bet he could get us into this thing ASAP.”
“I’m in already,” said Bill. “He didn’t even turn it off, or log out.” He had put on his reading glasses, and started clicking here and there.
The others conducted their investigation the old-fashioned way: by checking drawers, and looking through files and binders and notebooks.
“It’s almost one o’clock,” Scarlett said after a while. “Brian will be back soon.”
“Any luck, Bill?” asked Gran.
“Nothing,” the man grunted. “I’ve found his bank statements, but I don’t see anything suspicious. Though I don’t think he keeps his personal bank stuff on this computer. He probably has a second one at home for his personal finances.”
“Yeah, I can’t find anything incriminating either,” said Liz. “Nothing in these files.”
Scarlett and Gran, who’d been going through Dee’s files, announced that they hadn’t found anything either.
“I would very much like to check Dee’s computer,” said Bill, abandoning his search of Brian’s PC. “But it looks like we’ve run out of time.” He tapped the space bar on Dee’s computer. “No, she locked it. She’s a lot smarter than her boss.”
“I could call Kevin,” Scarlett suggested. “He could get us in, I’m sure of it.”
But just at that moment, Olivia called out,“They’re coming!”
Looked like our time was up, and so we hurriedly left the office, Bill making sure to close the door again with his master key, and then making ourselves scarce.
“A big failure for Murder Club,” Liz lamented as we walked away. We passed Brian and Dee in the hallway, but once more they were too deep in conversation to bother with us. “Now what are we going to do?”
“Now we’re going to tell Chase that we didn’t find anything on Brian’s computer, and that he needs to get going on that warrant,” said Gran. She patted a disconsolate Liz on the back. “It’s all right, Liz. We did what we could. What more can they ask of us? We aren’t cops, after all, just a bunch of amateurs.”
“A bunch of amateurs who found Henry’s killer,” Olivia pointed out.
“There’s nothing on Brian’s computer,” said Bill. “And nothing in his office. So at least that’s something.”
“That’s nothing,” said Liz, quite correctly.
“It shows us that Brian has covered his tracks,” said Bill. “And that he’s a formidable adversary. And so I think we better leave the rest to the police.”
“There’s one thing we haven’t tried,” said Gran. And when the others all turned to her expectantly, she said, “Who knows all there is to know about Brian’s affairs? The guy’s personal assistant. So why don’t I try and talk to Dee? She might be more accommodating than we think. Especially when I tell her about her boss’s deception.”
“Dee is notoriously loyal,” said Liz. “Don’t ask me why, but she adores Brian.”
“Yeah, I once complained to her about Brian,” said Bill. “And she practically bit my nose off. She’s not just loyal. She’s obsessed with the guy.”
“Still, it’s worth a shot,” said Gran with a shrug. “I mean, what have we got to lose?”
Liz gave Gran a look filled with admiration.“You’re my personal hero, Janelle. Absolutely my personal hero.”
44
When Vesta stepped into Dee’s office—the same office she had just left—she could tell immediately that this wasn’t a good time for the PA. Dee’s eyes were red-rimmed and she had clearly been crying.
“Is this a bad time?” she asked. “I can come back later if you want.”
“You won’t find me here later,” said Dee, as she pressed a tissue against her eyes. “I was fired. Can you imagine? Fifteen years I’ve been here. Fifteen years of doing everything for that man, and now he says it’s over.”
“You mean…” said Vesta, moving further into the office and closing the door behind her.
Dee nodded.“Not only did he fire me from my job, he also fired me from his life. Says he wants to try and make things work with Sara. That he’s neglected his family for too long, and he doesn’t want to lose his kids. So that’s it for me! Put out with the trash!”
“Oh, dear,” said Vesta with feeling. Having had a husband like Brian once, she knew what kind of man he was. “These cheaters are not good husband material,” she said, taking a seat in front of the personal assistant’s desk. “So I think you should count yourself lucky that you got out ofit with your dignity intact.” And without a couple of kids who would never know their dad.
“But I love him, Janelle!” Dee wailed. “I know I shouldn’t. Not after what he put me through. First with Gladys, and now this. But I can’t help it. I just love him so much!”
Vesta glanced to the door to the inner office, and hoped Brian wouldn’t suddenly show up.
“He’s not here,” said Dee, interpreting Vesta’s glance correctly. “He’s gone to meet his wife’s lawyer. Try to argue his case for a reconciliation.”
“There was actually something I wanted to ask you,” said Vesta, wondering how to broach this very delicate subject, especially at a time like this. “It’s about Brian’s finances.”
“Shoot,” said Dee. “Though if it’s about his personal finances, you should probably talk to his accountant. Unless he’s having an affair with her as well. Which wouldn’t surprise me one bit!” And she started sniffing again.
“Would you happen to know if Brian set up a company named Daffodil Holdings? It’s officially registered in the Cayman Islands.”
Dee sniffed some more.“Never heard of it. And it belongs to Brian?”
“I’m not sure. It’s possible. Or even likely. You see, the money from Henry’s inheritance? It went straight into that company’s bank account. And so now I was wondering what the connection with Brian could be.”
Dee frowned.“So what are you? Some kind of private investigator all of a sudden? I mean, I don’t want to seem rude or anything, but what’s it to you, Janelle? Or was Henry a relation of yours or something?”
“No, he wasn’t. I guess I’m just naturally curious,” she said with a light shrug.
“Well, I’ve never heard of this company, and I don’t know anything about any payments made to Brian from Henry Kaur’s account. But like I said, if you want to know more, better check with his accountant. She’s been handling Brian’s private affairs as well as the Happy Home account for many years. At least as long as I’ve been with him.” She slumped a little. “Now what am I going to do, Janelle? I’m forty years old, and I’ve been in love with a married man all my life, and now I’m unemployed, and he’s just dumped me for his wife!”
Vesta comforted Dee as best she could, though there wasn’t a lot she could say. She did wonder if she was telling the truth, but she had the impression she was. In fact, much as she hated to say it, this was probably the best time to ask these kinds of questions. One day before, Dee would have been the most loyal PA on the planet. But now there were definite cracks in her loyalty. Cracks that Brian had inflicted himself.
She excused herself, and wished Dee all the best in her future endeavors. She then repeated her conviction that Brian dismissing her was actually a good thing, even though she didn’t see it that way now. In the long run she was sure Dee would realize she had been wasting her time with the guy. Both professionally and personally.
[Êàðòèíêà: img_3]
Chase received the news that Odelia’s team hadn’t found anything in Brian’s office with equanimity. He’d already tracked down the man’s accountant, and was about to call her when Vesta got on the horn to deliver her report from the front lines at Happy Home.
“Dee says she doesn’t know anything about any money being deposited into her boss’s account,” said Vesta. “And honestly? I’m inclined to believe her. She also told me to talk to the accountant. Accountants always know.”