Zach’s words stayed in Toni’s mind the rest of the way back to Anderson. When they got there, Zach went back to his office. Instead of going to her car, Toni walked to the lunchroom. Several of the ladies from accounting, with whom she’d spent a lot of time, were sitting together, chatting over their lunch.
Toni strolled up to the group. “Hello,” she called out the greeting. “Mind if I join you?”
Sarah Early waved Toni to a seat next to her. “Come sit here, and we can talk about your new husband.”
For the next ten minutes, the women caught up on old information. Children and grandchildren. Zach.
“You could’ve knocked me over with a feather when I heard about that,” Sharon Williams said. “I never would’ve thought that that stone-faced man would have children and get married.” She glanced at Toni. “I’m sorry,” she murmured, her face turning a blotchy red. “I mean—”
“That’s okay, Sharon,” Toni interrupted. “I understand that Zach is a bit reserved and at other times he’s very intimidating.”
“Of course, you should’ve seen him this morning with June.” Sharon shook her hand. “Whoa, not only can our supervisor take it, that woman sure can dish it out. I thought Zach was going to blow a gasket.”
“What were they arguing about?” Toni asked.
Delores Taylor smiled, then leaned closer. “Your husband wanted to know about Stephanie. June said she wasn’t her mother.”
Toni’s eyes widened, then laughter erupted from her mouth. The women returned her humor with smiles and chuckles.
“I suspect Zach will walk softly around June from now on, just like my dad does.” She glanced around the table. “Ladies, I do need your help. We think Stephanie might be the key to some of the swindling that’s been going on in the company.”
The women exchanged glances.
“I thought something was up yesterday when June got hot under the collar about some billing,” Delores added, fiddling with her salad.
“It appears that Stephanie has skipped town. Zach and the police want to try to find her to question her. Do any of you have any idea where she might have gone?”
“She was an only child,” Delores offered. “Her mom passed away a couple of months ago.”
“Do you know where her mother lived?” Toni asked.
Sharon, Delores and Sarah looked at each other.
“It was somewhere close. A little town...” Delores said.
Sarah frowned. “Some place like Nowhere, or Noplace or—”
“Notrees,” Sharon offered.
“Yes, that’s it,” Sarah added.
“Where’s that?” Toni asked.
“It’s northwest of here on a state highway—I don’t remember exactly where, but it’s within fifty miles.” Sharon shrugged. “It should be easy to find on a map.”
“Was she dating anyone in particular? I mean, did she talk about her boyfriend? Or her dates?”
Delores smiled. “Stephanie was very closemouthed about her love life, and we all doubted that she had one. Then about a year ago Christmas, Stephanie comes in, with this cat-ate-the-canary smile and announces she has a boyfriend. When we asked about the man, Stephanie wouldn’t talk about him. All we knew was that he was very important and depended on her.”
“She acted like she was superior to the rest of us in the department,” Sharon added. “Finally, we all stopped asking about her mystery man. I think Stephanie was disappointed we didn’t make a bigger stink about it.”
“Any man you can’t or don’t introduce to friends and co-workers,” Delores added, “isn’t worth spit. It’s my guess he was married.”
“Or doing something illegal,” Sharon added.
The information fit in with what Zach and she already knew. “Thanks, ladies,” Toni said, smiling at each woman. “I’ll be sure to let you know what happened.”
“Toni,” Delores added, “we all want to congratulate you.”
Toni smiled and nodded. Too bad her heart was so heavy.
Zach looked up when Toni entered his office. He was surprised that she was still here at Anderson.
“I’ve got a lead on Stephanie Norman.”
Resting his elbows on the desk, he leaned forward. “What is it, and where did you discover it?”
“Are you going to cop an attitude with me, Zach? I could give this information to Detective Phelps.” She started to turn around.
“Sorry.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “What did you find out?”
“I decided to talk to some of my old friends in accounting. They were very helpful with information about Stephanie.”
“Oh.” The look of doubt on Zach’s face provoked her.
“Yes, it appears that Stephanie acquired a new high-powered boyfriend around Christmas last year.”
His eyes narrowed. “Just about the time I punched out Carl?”
“That’s right. She kept the name of this man a secret but bragged about what a find he was. After a while, when Stephanie didn’t reveal his name, the ladies quit asking about him. But apparently, Stephanie continued to see the man.”
Rubbing his chin, Zach asked, “Did they give you any idea where she might be?”
“Her mother—who recently passed away—lived in Notrees.”
A frown wrinkled his brow. “Where’s that?”
“We need to pull out a map. It’s somewhere northwest of here.”
It only took a few seconds for Zach to locate a map. The town was in the next county, northwest of Odessa.
“I think it’s worth a try to see if she’s there,” Zach said, folding up the map.
“Do you want to go now?” Toni asked.
Zach’s gaze narrowed. “I hadn’t planned to take anyone with me.”
From his reaction, Toni knew Zach wasn’t used to being questioned or allowing others to do his job. But that didn’t change a thing. He was going to need her help.
“Well, maybe you should rethink your strategy. From the reaction you had with June this morning and Stephanie yesterday, you should probably have someone with you who isn’t so intimidating. I think Stephanie would be more willing to talk to me instead of you.”
A frown creased his mouth.
“Zach, we both want to discover what’s going on. And I think I’m going to be the best bet to talk to Stephanie, if we find her.”
It was obvious that he didn’t like the idea of taking her with him, but he continued to study her. After several long moments, he nodded.
“You’ve got a point.” He sighed. “All right, let’s go to Notrees.” He stood. “Do you have any appointments or classes this afternoon?”
“Nope, my schedule is clear.”
“What about the girls?”
Toni glanced down at her watch. It was close to one. The girls had to be picked up by three. “Let’s stop by my dad’s office. He can get the girls. I think Dad and Lisa and Lori will enjoy the experience. Isn’t it a good thing that I put Dad on the permission form for the preschool?”
Zach didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t say anything.
When they entered George’s office, he was talking on the phone. He motioned them inside. When he finished the call, he turned to Toni.
“What are you doing here?” George asked.
“Dad, Zach and I are going on an errand. We might not be back in time to get the girls. Will you do that?”
George nailed Zach with a look. “Where are you going? Does this trip have anything to do with the missing woman in accounting?”
Toni turned to Zach. “How does he know about Stephanie?”
“He told me,” George answered.
A sadness swept over Toni. Obviously Zach had informed her dad of everything that had happened. He’d trusted George enough with the information, but not her. And although reason told her Zach hadn’t been obligated to inform her, she wanted that trust.
But that’s his job, reason answered.
“You found her?” George look at Zach.
�
��Not yet.” Zach looked at Toni. “Toni talked to some of the ladies in accounting, and they told her where we might find Stephanie.”
“Where is she?” George asked.
“They told Toni about a place her mother had in Notrees. We’re going to try it. Also, she discovered that Stephanie had an important boyfriend, whom she acquired last Christmas, right around the time the false billings started.”
“We think that man was Carl,” Toni added.
George looked at his daughter, then Zach. “Why was Toni the one who uncovered this information, Zach, instead of you?”
“I tried talking to June in accounting this morning. She wasn’t helpful.” Frustration laced Zach’s voice.
“She took a chunk out of you, did she, boy?” George’s eyebrow shot up.
Zach shook his head. “It was stupid of me to challenge her like I did. I won’t do it again.”
“Well, don’t feel bad. June cut me off at the knees several years ago when I questioned why she hadn’t paid a particular supplier. The problem was, I didn’t submit the bill my friend gave me.” He shrugged. “It happens to the best of us. But I’ll tell you, I walk carefully around that woman.”
Zach stared at George. “Why do you keep her?”
“Because she’s the best damn manager I have. She’s saved my bacon on more than one occasion. I’m lucky she hasn’t left for greener pastures.” He looked at Toni. “I’ll get the girls. And maybe I’ll take the girls to see their new aunt in Saddle. I think your sister Alex might like to see Lisa and Lori again.”
Toni leaned down and kissed her dad. “Thanks.”
As they were leaving the office, George called out, “Cheer up, Zach. Better men than you have been taken down by June.”
As they drove to Notrees, Zach frowned at the road. He wanted to explain to Toni why he’d kept her father updated. It was his job, and if she didn’t understand that, then maybe anything he would try to do for Toni would fall short.
“Zach, I realize that it was your job to keep my dad informed. I also know if you hadn’t, he would’ve chewed you up and spit you out. I know that in my head. It’s my heart that’s putting up the fuss.” She glanced at him. “Only my feelings aren’t obeying my mind. But I’m going to ignore the feelings and go with what my brain is saying.”
He wanted to shake his head to make sure he’d heard right. “Are you telling me you understand?” Disbelief rang in his voice. Never had he had a reaction like that before from a woman.
“I’m telling you that I’m trying.” She shrugged. “I guess I need time.”
Her words floored him. He was tempted to pull over to the side of the road, stop the car and have her say it again just to make sure. Whatever he’d been expecting from Toni, her reasonable response wasn’t it. His first wife would’ve been screaming her head off, accusing him of all sorts of evil things. He knew how to deal with that drill. He didn’t have the foggiest notion of what to do now or how to respond.
A chuckle escaped her lips.
Again her reaction blindsided him. “What’s so funny?” he asked, his curiosity prodding him.
“I was just imagining you and June squaring off, toe-to-toe. It must’ve been an awesome sight.”
His mouth curved into a self-deprecating smile as he remembered the encounter. “Well, she certainly surprised me. I didn’t know she was that—”
“Tough?” Toni suggested.
That was a nice way to put it. “Yeah. Does she have a nickname, such as the Terminator or Maneater? Or maybe she’s related to General Patton.”
“Not that I know of, but when I worked for Dad, I wasn’t privy to the juiciest gossip. That could’ve had something to do with who my dad was.”
He didn’t doubt that. He hadn’t considered what her life had been growing up. She was the youngest child of a very wealthy man who apparently had caused a big scandal in Midland. “What was it like growing up with George as your father?”
“That’s kind of hard to explain.” She glanced out over the flat landscape. “I never wanted for anything. And I never doubted for a minute my folks loved me. But...I always wondered why people whispered when my dad was around. Apparently, everyone remembered the scandal. But no one ever said anything to my dad’s or mom’s face. I was told by a playmate what my dad had done. When I asked him about it, Dad looked me straight in the eye and said it was true. He owned up to the fact he’d been wrong. But, he told me he’d gotten two wonderful daughters.”
She shook her head. “Things changed when J.D.’s mother died and J.D. came to live with us. Amazingly, J.D. didn’t hate my mom, Alex or me. I think she was mad at Dad, but she decided that she was going to be so good in school, Dad would be proud of her.”
“And was he proud of her?” Zach asked.
“Do you need to ask?”
From the pictures of his children and grandchildren in his office, Zach knew the answer. “I think he was.”
“And in spite of his faults, Dad was there for me when I was in the accident. He’s the reason I made it through.” Her eyes grew moist. “It’s said that love covers a multitude of sins. It’s true, Zach. Love can make the difference in a situation, if you survive or don’t.”
He didn’t know if he believed her. There certainly hadn’t been an excess of love in his life.
And maybe that was the problem.
She shook her head. “J.D. had the same problem as the rest of us. There was no man good enough for us. Oh, he did want us to get married, but when push came to shove, I think Dad got cold feet.
“And when Rafe showed up, I thought my dad would explode from the delight and pride. Rafe was ready to hate Dad, but seeing Dad’s reaction, him beaming and introducing Rafe to everyone we knew, Rafe didn’t stand a chance. Dad overwhelmed him, like he does everyone else.”
Zach was still blown away by George’s reaction. Neither of his parents cared a whit about him. He could’ve drowned before their eyes, and neither one would’ve lifted a finger to help him. It was a bitterness that had driven him long and hard.
Suddenly, watching Lisa and Lori, seeing them blossom before his eyes, the edge of that ugliness was blunted.
Maybe the woman beside him had something to do with that. And he wanted to reach out and claim what he’d found. Would it last? Could he trust it?
The thought made him edgy.
Chapter 14
Notrees consisted of a gas station, a feed store and a post office. Zach stopped for gas. When he went inside to pay for his purchase, he asked, “I’m looking for the Norman house. Where would I find it?”
The old man behind the counter studied Zach. “Mrs. Norman died a couple of months ago.”
“I’m looking for her daughter. I thought she might be at the residence.”
“Can’t say if Stephanie’s there, but their place is two miles west on sixty-nine. You know, you’re the second stranger today who has asked about the Norman place.”
“Tell me, was the other stranger a man about six foot, blond hair and a scar on his chin?” Zach asked.
“Yeah, that’s him.” The old man snorted. “In a mighty big hurry, too. Bad manners. Didn’t even say thanks.”
“When did this man ask about the Norman ranch?”
“Early this morning.”
“Thanks for the information.” Zach hurried back to his car.
“Did you discover where the house is?” Toni asked.
“I did. And I also discovered that Carl’s ahead of us.”
“How?”
“The gentleman in the gas station told me I was the second person to ask after the Norman place. The other man was Carl.”
Zach zipped out of town and raced to the turnoff to the Norman ranch. The gravel road bounced the car as he sped toward the ranch house. He parked behind an older sedan and reached over to pull out the gun in the glove compartment. He quickly checked it, making sure it was loaded.
“What are you doing?” Toni asked.
“I’m tak
ing precautions. I don’t know what Carl’s up to, or even if he’s here, but I’m not going anywhere without this.” He didn’t put the weapon down, but kept it in his hand.
As they walked to the front door, Zach glanced around the yard and beyond. He didn’t see any other cars and wondered if Carl was still here. For a split second, he feared they were going to find another dead body. He’d bet money that Carl had killed the gauger and Ollie.
Zach knocked on the door. The drapes covering the front window rippled, then the door opened a crack.
“What do you want?” Fear and hostility laced Stephanie’s voice.
Toni stepped to where the woman could see her. “Why don’t you let Zach and me come inside, Stephanie, and we can talk?”
The woman inside looked around the area.
“Stephanic, we know about the false billing you’ve done,” Toni added. “I think it would be in your best interest to talk to us and help yourself.”
The animosity in her eyes died, to be replaced by dismay. She stepped back and opened the door.
“Are you alone?” Zach asked before they entered.
“Yes.” She turned around and walked back into the living room.
Not trusting her, Zach cautiously entered the room. When he only saw Stephanie, he motioned for Toni to enter.
“Why don’t you talk to her, while I check the rest of the house?” Zach whispered.
Toni nodded and sat next to Stephanie. It was then that Toni noticed the swelling on Stephanie’s cheek.
“Did Carl hit you?” Toni quietly asked.
Stephanie’s head came up and she stared at Toni.
“I know he’s capable of the violence. He tried assaulting me, but my husband—” Toni nodded to where Zach disappeared “—stopped him.”
Stephanie stared down at her hands. “He was so wonderful when we started dating. He brought me roses and perfume, and funny stuffed animals.” She glanced up, her eyes beseeching Toni to understand. “I never had a boyfriend before.”
Toni rested her hand on Stephanie’s, giving a gentle squeeze. “When did Carl ask you to do the false billings?” Toni asked.
“It happened just after we made love the first time. I was a virgin, and I wanted to keep Carl.” She shrugged. “The first time he asked, it was only for a few hundred dollars. I told myself it wouldn’t matter to a company like Anderson.”
Suddenly a Family Page 19