The Reckoning

by Kathryn Shay

  “No. I was waiting until after the stock market opened. I still have to run the business.”

  “What can I do?”

  “Find me a private investigator. One who can start today. Offer to double his fees if you have to.” He cocked his head. “You might be able to get a name from Halstead.”

  “Do you want a man? No female?”

  “Either one.”

  “Anything else?”

  “Not now. That’s a priority.”

  “All right. I’ll leave you to your stock market.”

  He allowed himself the pleasure of watching her walk out of the office, her cute little butt giving a sassy shake. Then he went to work.

  An hour later, his phone buzzed. “Mr. Moran, the police are here. I told them your business depends on the opening of the market but they said this was more important.”

  “All right, Ms. Ralston. Send them in.”

  “Tom’s here, too.”

  “Halstead? You’re on a first name basis with him?”

  “Being confined to quarters together for ten hours speeds up the getting-to-know-you process.”

  “Have him come in with the police. He should be aware of the steps we’re taking.” Out of respect for law enforcement, he stood and met them at the door. “Good morning, detectives. Tom.” He’d been alerted that Detective Julia Manchester and Detective John Camp were the officers who’d been assigned to the case.

  “Mr. Moran.” Julia spoke first, so she was probably the lead. “Thanks for seeing us. We need to ask you some questions.”

  Kinley cocked his head. “Do I need my lawyer here?”

  Camp frowned. “No, Pembroke’s the one who needs a lawyer.”

  “Does that mean you found him?”

  “We haven’t. We’ve cast a wide net but it takes time. Meddling with the IRS is a serious crime, and if he did that, the FBI will be called in.”

  “So, what do you need from me?”

  “Motive.”

  “I’m hiring a PI to find that out.”

  “We wish you’d let us do all that.” Camp again.

  “I’m don’t mean to offend you. I want both.”

  “Do you know anything that could help us?”

  “I had a background check run on him.” Leaning over, he pressed a button on his computer and called up Pembroke’s security clearance. Printed out copies.

  They spent the intervening time reviewing Nigel’s clearance.

  “He’s only twenty-nine?” Camp asked, though it was more of a comment.

  “Yes.” The same age as Jamie.

  “And you’re?”

  “Forty-three. Which is an odd thing. He was a child when I built this company.”

  “This shows no work experience. Only schooling. You hired someone right out of grad school to be your assistant?”

  “Mostly it was because of his glowing references. The letters were stellar and my then-assistant called the people directly to get confirmation of the written data.” He frowned. “Besides, I like to train my own employees from the start.”

  “Huh. We’ll check the references ourselves.” That bothered Kinley. Had he missed something? Been duped right from the start?

  When the police left, he finished up with his client calls and by the time lunch rolled around, he’d done enough. But he was vaguely depressed.

  The phone buzzed again. “Hi, Kinley. I heard back from the investigators. Tom liked one of them best. Do you want to talk to him or all three?”

  “I’ll talk to him first. Set up an appointment. I want to know Nigel’s motive.”

  “I hear you. You sound upset.”

  “I guess I am. I hate this.”

  “Rightly so. Let me know if I can do anything else.”

  “Will do.”

  He took care of business, then at ten, went to the meeting with the staff. People were shocked and furious. When it was over, Jamie approached him.

  “You’re still upset.”

  “More so. My judgement’s been called into question so my staff must recognize that. I hired a man whose sole goal was to sabotage me.”

  “So? You’re human.” She frowned. “Haven’t you ever made a mistake before in your business?”

  “Not of this caliber.”

  She glanced around the empty conference room. “You’re not going to get much work done now. Why don’t we go for a walk? It’s a beautiful end-of-April day. Lots of budding trees and flowers.”

  “Hmm. Getting out of here sounds wonderful to me. Let’s do it.”

  “Give me a minute to change my shoes.”

  He frowned. “Why do you wear those heels? Buy some quality, more comfortable ones.”

  Her eyes misted.

  “What did I say?”

  “Most men would have said, ‘But look what they do to your legs.’ You thought of my comfort instead.”

  “I always do. Go change.”

  A bit later, he came out of the office. Jamie had donned sneakers, and taken off the light sweater she’d worn in the air conditioning and looped it around her neck. Her dress bared her arms and was scooped neck. He’d removed his suitcoat and rolled up his shirt sleeves. He looked…virile, sexy.

  “Ready? she asked.

  “Yep. I got a message from the investigator. I have a meeting with him at one.” He gazed out the window. “Let’s go enjoy the sunshine.”

  Jamie walked alongside Kinley, who seemed calmer now that they were out of the office. After a block, she said, “Doing better?”

  “I am. Being out in the air lifts my spirits.”

  “Kinley, I wanted to ask you something. The police haven’t located Nigel. I’m concerned about your safety.”

  “Seriously, from that little weasel?”

  “A weasel with a gun is as dangerous as a bruiser is.”

  “I suppose.” He ducked his head. “Halstead mentioned it, too.”

  “Could Tom stay with you? Until they pick up Nigel?”

  “He can do anything I ask him to.”

  “I’d feel better if you had protection.”

  “Yeah, you’re probably right.” They’d crossed the street and Kinley noted they’d come upon the restaurant where he’d had lunch with Bailey what seemed like eons ago. “It’s close to noon. Want to grab some lunch?”

  “That would be nice.”

  Inside the café, he asked for an out-of-the-way table. When they sat, he picked up her hand. Smiled. And kissed her knuckles.

  Then heard, “What the fuck!”

  They both startled. Recoiled. And looked up into the faces of Bailey and Patrick O’Neil.

  Bailey seemed only mildly surprised.

  Patrick was apoplectic. “What are you two doing together? Like that?” He motioned to their hands.

  Kinley bolted up. “None of your business.” He faced his sister. “I’m sorry, Bailey. But I’d like you two to leave us alone.”

  “Like hell I will,” Pat said, his voice raised.

  Bailey grabbed his arm. “You’re causing a scene.”

  “I don’t care. I want answers.”

  Mitch Calloway, Bailey’s bodyguard, approached them. “I think it would be best if we took this up to Mr. Moran’s offices across the street.”

  Bailey leaned into Pat. “If the press gets wind of this, or God forbid someone is taking a video or snaps a picture, it’ll cause me and Clay a lot of grief.”

  Between clenched teeth, Patrick said, “All right. We’ll go to his office, but I want some answers.”

  Angrier than Jamie had ever seen him, Kinley strode into his office ahead of everyone else, Pat nipping at his heels. Bailey took Jamie’s hand as they entered. “Don’t worry. They won’t have a knock-down-drag-out.”

  Jamie was in a daze. When they were all seated, Pat turned to her. “A grhá, what’s goin’ on between you two?”

  Jamie had to tread carefully. “I’m, um, working here at Moran Associates.”

  “What? Why did you keep that from us?”r />
  “I didn’t want to cause trouble for Kinley.”

  Kinley frowned.

  “I still don’t get it. If you’re an employee, why was he kissing your hands?”

  Now, Kinley’s face had gone blank. Jamie said, “We’ve been dating.”

  “Dating as in…involved, you know, romantically?”

  “Um, yes.” She hated how hesitant she sounded, and Kinley would too.

  Pat got up and squatted in front of her. Took her hands.

  “Jamie, you can’t fall for this guy. He’s a player. He’s known for his womanizing.”

  Suddenly insecure, she realized she’d known and trusted Patrick for a lot longer than Kinley, she transferred her gaze to him. “Are you a player?”

  His face closed down. “I shouldn’t have to answer that.”

  “What a line. Jamie think about it. Sucking you into a seedy affair is the best way to get back at us, at the O’Neils. Even better than destroying the pub.”

  Kinley’s fists clenched. “I would never do something like that!”

  “Yeah, well that would fit perfectly into the so-called mistakes you made with the check to the bank and the renovations.”

  “What’s that all about?” Bailey asked.

  “It’s why I asked you to lunch. Some odd things have been happening at the pub. I’ll fill you in later.” Pat turned to Jamie. “Tell me this thing between you hasn’t gone too far.”

  She sighed. “I care about him, Pat.”

  Pat bolted up. And Bailey stepped in front of him. “Sit down, Patrick. Now I have some questions. Jamie, how long has this been going on?”

  “A few weeks after I started working for him nearly three months ago.”

  “You been working for the bastard that long?” Pat couldn’t contain himself.

  “I needed more money. He offered a job where I could work around the pub and my classes.”

  “To get you in bed.”

  Her lip quivered. “No, Pat, it wasn’t like that.” She looked at Kinley. “Was it?”

  Kinley circled the desk and stood near her. When he started to speak, Bailey intervened. “I’m not done.” She addressed Jamie. “You kept this kind of secret from us? Back then, he told us he was trying to destroy the pub. And you never said you two got involved? You owed us that.”

  Jamie shrugged. “It happened kind of fast. We gravitated toward each other.”

  Kinley said, “We don’t have to explain ourselves to them, Jamie.”

  “Screw that,” Bailey said, her temper rising. Jamie had seen this side of her before, though it was rare. “We’re your family. Both of yours. We don’t keep secrets from each other.”

  Pat started to speak.

  Bailey whirled on him. “Shut up, Pat. Things were going so well for you guys and Kinley. I won’t stand by and let that be destroyed.”

  “It’s not up to you.” This from Pat.

  She got in his face. “About the only thing that works with you is if I threaten you with estrangement from me. Consider yourself threatened.”

  “Stop this.” Jamie raised her voice. She hooked gazes with Pat. “I don’t want you fighting over me.”

  “What about him, Jame?” Pat again.

  “Our relationship’s not a big deal.”

  She heard a strangled sound from Kinley. His face had gone pale. And she saw his hands grip together until they were white knuckled. No one spoke.

  “Kinley, I didn’t mean…I’m just trying to keep the peace.”

  No reaction.

  “Say something.”

  A deadly calm came over him. “It doesn’t matter what I say now, or what you say, for that matter. You’re fired from Moran Associates. Don’t contact me again. I’ll send you your last paycheck.”

  “You don’t mean that.”

  “Think about it. What we’ve talked about regarding the O’Neils. But do it on your own time.” He pressed a button. “Halstead, I need some people ushered from my office, out of the building. They’re not to be let back in. Ever.”

  Kinley went through the rest of the day like an automaton. Much of it had been taken up with the situation with Nigel, appointing a new assistant from within, and dealing with the police. He’d gone ahead and met with the private investigator right after Jamie and the O’Neils left. The guy was on the job by two. Afterward, he found himself shaking with anger. Deciding to go home, or somewhere away from here, he left the building. He noticed Halstead come out behind him. “Tom?”

  “You need protection, boss. A bodyguard. If you don’t want me, then we’ll find someone else.”

  “I’ll take you, but only to and from work. I’ll see about other coverage.”

  Once in the limo, Kinley closed his eyes and leaned back against the cushions. And tried to forget that Jamie had done exactly as he feared: she’d chosen the O’Neils over him.

  Our relationship’s not that big of a deal.

  Which wasn’t true. It was much more to them both. But not enough to stand up to them, he guessed. He thought about all the strides he’d made with the O’Neils. They’d betrayed him, too. Even Bailey. That cut to the quick.

  What did it matter? This fucked up mess was with all of them. He didn’t even want revenge anymore.

  Which was good. He could go back to the life he knew, the more comfortable life he had before he met Jamie Ralston, before he believed he could be part of the O’Neil family.

  Jamie insisted she go home instead of going to the pub with the O’Neils. She got Ben off the bus, played ball with him in the backyard and even managed to get him into the bathtub. At bedtime, he asked, “When am I gonna see Kinley again, Mom?”

  Damn the man “I’m not sure, honey. He’s very busy.”

  Ben frowned. “I thought he liked us.”

  “He does. Now, which book do you want to read?”

  After Ben fell asleep, she told her mother she had a headache and she’d be in her room. Once there, she flopped on the bed, buried her face in the pillow, and cried.

  Afterward, she sat up and knew she had to make a plan. She hadn’t phoned Kinley after the debacle this morning because she had to decide, a) if she had betrayed him. And b) did she want the relationship with him. She needed to be alone to figure all this out.

  She dozed and dreamed of him. Waking at ten, she knew the answer to both questions. She picked up her phone and punched in his number. It rang but went to voice mail. Which meant he was screening her calls. She left a message.

  Kinley, it’s me, Jamie. I’ve been laboring over what I said to Patrick and I can see how you think I betrayed you. I want to explain myself. I’m sorry I let you down. Please call me back.

  But he didn’t contact her that night. She tried again at 8 a.m. and then again at eleven. She was supposed to be at the pub at eleven, and hoped she still had a job there, that Kinley wouldn’t interfere there, too. Grandma Jean took over and she walked down to Bailey’s, her steps heavy. The crowd wasn’t let in until twelve and she went to the back and walked into the kitchen. “Hey, honey,” Liam said from the stove.

  Huh, maybe he didn’t know what had happened. She made small talk with him, Aidan came in to bartend and greeted her normally. When the doors opened, she served her customers, and kept up the casual front. At three, the other waitress asked to finish up because she could use an extra hour’s pay, so Jamie went back to the kitchen. Where she found Pat, talking to Liam and Aidan.

  “You did what?” Aidan asked.

  “Moran’s not what he seems to be.”

  “Christ Pat, that’s not for you to decide for us.” This from Liam. “And Jamie’s a big—” he looked over Pat’s shoulder. “Hey, Jame.”

  Pat whirled around. She tensed. He crossed the room. “It’s okay girl.” He held out his arms. She went into the them. And cried her eyes out. When she calmed, Pat said, “I’m sorry you’re sad, but it’s all for the best. He’s not right for you.”

  Liam crossed to them. “Jamie, don’t listen to him. Decide
how you feel. We’ll be here no matter what.”

  “Thanks. But I already know what I want. I made a terrible mistake in Kinley office yesterday. I’ve got to make this right.”

  “Right?” Pat asked. “What do you mean?”

  “I’m in love with Kinley. I should have said it out loud yesterday.”

  “He said he was done with you. With us.”

  “I’m not letting him go without a fight.”

  Pat watched her. Liam nudged his arm. But Pat said nothing more. Jamie strode out of the kitchen and went home.

  The next day, after two more calls, she texted Kinley.

  It’s me again. I need to talk to you. You owe me that much.

  Miraculously, a text came back. I owe you nothing. Cease and desist trying to contact me or I’ll get a restraining order on you. Good luck with the rest of your life.

  Quite simply, Jamie didn’t know what to do now.

  So, his real name is E. Nigel Zeller. His mother’s name is Pembroke and he changed his own five years ago.”

  Kinley sat back in his chair and stared at the private investigator. “Why is that name familiar?”

  “You worked with his father, Jonathan Zeller. From the people I talked to who knew you both then, you destroyed his father.”

  The knowledge hit Kinley hard. “Now I remember. We were competitors a long time ago. Near the beginning of my career, when Zeller went off the rails and many of his clients came to me.”

  “Zeller’s ex-wife says you set out to take his clients. She blames everything on you.”

  “Zeller lost them all on his own.”

  “Apparently, his ex and his son think differently.” The P.I. kept his tone neutral.

  “His son….” Kinley steepled his hands. “Eddie? E. Nigel is Eddie? He was a boy then.”

  “Fourteen. Old enough to interpret what you did as malicious. He must have held a grudge for years, planned to get back at you.”

  Kinley knew first-hand how a person could hold a grudge that long. He turned to his computer at the other side of the desk and called up his files from the year Zeller went downhill. There were transactions with Kinley’s clients. Adding new ones. Wow, fifteen of them had come from Zeller? Had he destroyed this man’s father?