Holly took the stairs at a rush and threw open her stepmother’s bedroom door. No surprise, Geneva was dressing to go out.
“How dare you barge in without knocking.”
Holly advanced on her. “How dare you goad my father into a heart attack and do nothing to help him. You are evil.”
Geneva paled but soon regained her bravado. “How was I to know he’d die. I only let him know he’d let his family down for the last time. I was through with his failures.” She lifted her chin. “The only reason I married him was because he promised he’d take care of me and we’d have lots of good times.” She put her hands on her hips. “Well, losing my house wasn’t a good time. Losing all our money wasn’t taking care of me. He didn’t keep our bargain.”
Holly took another step forward. “You have two hours to pack your things and get out of this house.”
Geneva sank to her dressing stool. “You can’t mean it. You promised Walter you’d take care of us.”
Holly shook her head. “I promised to take care of Angie and Jenny. Not you. I’ll continue their allowance and Grandpa will continue tuition as long as their grades stay up. How or where you live is not my problem—as long as it’s not in this house.”
Holly looked around her. She picked up an antique hand mirror. Apparently Geneva had been using several things without permission that belonged to Holly’s grandmother. “And I’ll file a report with the police if you take anything other than your personal possessions. Do I make myself clear?” Holly whirled and left the room, taking the mirror with her.
Geneva called after her, “You bitch, I’ll get even with you for this.”
***
Angie slipped into the study. She’d obviously been crying as she sat in the chair near Holly’s desk. Holly prepared herself for another battle.
Angie hiccuped back a sob. ”I heard what you said to Mom.”
Holly hurried around the desk to her. “I’m sorry, Angie. I didn’t mean for anyone else to hear.”
“Is it true?” Angie twisted a tissue in her hands.
“Yes.” Holly sighed. She hated the thought of Angie leaving, but she went with the package of her mom and Jenny. “I suppose your mom will go live with her folks until she finds somewhere else. You’ll be all right.”
“Nooooo, I mean what you said about her and Daddy. Did she cause his heart attack?” Angie’s jaw clenched as she raised her gaze to Holly’s.
“Maybe you should ask her.” How could she tell her half-sister the girl’s mother was pure evil?
“I did. She said it was all lies, but she admitted it to you. I heard her.” She sobbed into her hands. “Sometimes I hate her! How could she do that to Daddy? I know he made mistakes, but he was her husband. Our father.”
Holly put her arms around Angie. Forced to defend a woman she hated to salve the pain of a half-sister she loved, Holly said, “She probably only meant to make him come to his senses about the gambling.”
Angie nodded, but didn’t speak. Suddenly she stood and put her arms around Holly and sobbed into Holly’s shoulder. “I wish she weren’t my mother. I wish you were. I know you’re not old enough, but I used to pretend you were my mother and Jenny was my cousin and Mom was my wicked aunt.”
At that moment Holly certainly felt old enough to be anyone’s mother. “Oh, honey. I’ll always be here if you need me. You can stay if you want when your mom leaves.”
Angie sniffed and wiped her eyes. “No, I need to go with her. But, Holly, I’m not going to SMU. I want to go far away. I don’t know if I’ll ever come back either, except maybe to see you.”
Holly knew that feeling. “We’ll see when the time comes, honey.” She ran her hands down her half-sister’s hair and gave her shoulders a squeeze. “In the meantime, you can come here anytime you want. Your room will stay the way it is.”
Forcing a smile, Angie sniffed again. “Thanks. I was waiting to tell Mom, but I have a job in Stonebriar Mall. She thinks I’ve been spending time with Melissa and Courtney, but I’ve been working.”
“Angie, that’s wonderful! When did you start? And why didn’t you tell me?”
“I wanted to, but I was waiting to show you my first paycheck. You know, in case I got fired or messed up with something embarrassing. But I like the job and the manager said I’m good with customers and stuff. She said,”—Angie smiled with pride—“she said I’m a good worker. And I get a twenty percent discount on anything I buy.”
Angie pulled a crumpled envelope from her pocket. “I started the second weekend in November. It was tricky getting away from Mom and Grandma on Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, but I did it. They went shopping, but not to the mall where I work.” She held out the envelope. “There it is. My name on a paycheck.”
Holly hugged her. “I’m so proud of you.” She looked at Angie. “Of course, you’ll keep your grades up?”
“Yes, because I want to get accepted somewhere great, like Smith or Vassar.” Angie stuffed the pay envelope back into her pocket.
“You can do it, Angie. I know you can.” Holly’s heart swelled with pride as Angie walked toward the door.
“Holly?” Angie stopped at the door and turned back. “If I succeed, it’ll be because of you. You’re the one who showed me how to do things, how to stick with it. And what really matters in life.” She closed the door softly behind her.
Holly never cried. Make that almost never. Tears ran down her cheeks. She sniffed and brushed them away. Then, she stiffened her spine and went back to juggling too many bills against too little cash. Thank heavens in a couple of months she’d receive her year’s profit from Marvel.
But how long would that continue? Her father had said profit was down due to the economy. Trent said Marvel had lost customers to more forward thinking companies. Which was true?
***
On Monday, Holly searched her files. She knew the only new hires had been to replace people who’d left. Like Sara, Holly’s assistant, who’d been hired a few weeks ago when Mildred Jones retired.
Checking back to see when the last new jobs had been added, Holly learned it had been three years. Three years? Why hadn’t she realized what that meant? And some people who left weren’t replaced, like Holly’s deputy. Feeling like a fool for believing her father’s pat line about the economy, she prepared to march to the business office.
When she stepped from her office into the Human Resources reception area, Sara spoke with a priest. A child stood on either side of him.
Sara looked uncomfortable. “I’m sorry, sir. I really can’t tell you anything about whether he works here or not.”
Holly cleared her throat and relief flooded Sara’s face. “Oh, Ho—Miss Tucker. This is Father Ignacio and he wants to know if Trent Macleod works here. I explained I can’t give out that information.”
Holly smiled at Sara for following the letter of the rules if not the spirit. Then Holly stepped forward and extended her hand to the padre. “It’s true we can’t give out employee details, but Mr. Macleod’s office is down the hall. I’m on my way to the business office so I’ll show you the way.” Let Lila deal with whether or not Trent was in and wanted to see the trio.
“Thank you, thank you. We’ve come a long way, you know. Jorge and Nuncio are brothers who needed medical care to repair their hearts. We were sent to Children’s Hospital in Dallas. Since Mr. Macleod has helped us so much, I couldn't come this near and not stop by to thank him again.”
Thank Trent? He’d helped them? “And what church are you with, Father?”
He laughed. “Not just a church. The Newport Children’s Home near Tyler. We take troubled youth and children in peril.”
“I see.” But she didn’t. Trent helped a children’s home? The pirate as philanthropist?
The priest slanted her a look. “For many years Mr. Macleod has been a faithful benefactor for the home. It was his donation which made it possible for these boys to come here for the treatment they needed. That and him talking the hospi
tal into accepting them as special cases.”
She wanted to ask questions, but there wasn’t time. “Here’s his office, Father.” She opened the door and stood aside for the priest and his two charges to enter. “Mrs. Brewster, these gentlemen would like to see Mr. Macleod. Can you arrange that?”
Holly had thought Lila Brewster was an unflappable secretary, but for once she looked surprised. The effect lasted only a second before Lila recovered and smiled. “Of course. He’s just stepped down the hall for a few minutes. Why don’t I get you boys a soft drink while you wait? Father, would you prefer coffee?”
Unanswered questions whirled through her mind. Holly left and turned toward her office before she remembered her mission in the business office. She reversed her direction and caught sight of Trent as he entered his office.
Darn, she wished she could eavesdrop and learn what that was all about. She thought about Trent’s crummy apartment with the garage sale furniture. He didn’t spend what he had left on himself, but he helped two little boys whose hearts needed medical repair. Would she ever figure out that man?
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Holly strode into the comptroller’s office with renewed purpose. Vernon Lippincott looked up from his desk when she was shown into his office.
“Vernon, I need some straight answers.” She sat in the chair across from him.
He paled from his bald head to his second chin. “Holly? Is something wrong?”
“That’s what I want to know. Has Marvel been going down the tubes?” She crossed her legs and waited for a reply.
“Oh, that’s what you wanted to know. Well, how do you mean? 'Down the tubes’ as bankrupt or as sliding downhill?”
She leaned forward. “You mean it’s true? Dad had told me the poor economy caused profits to decline, but I want to know the complete picture.”
“Well, we lost those two big accounts last year. And a couple the year before. Yes, you’d have to say we’re in a decline, but it’s not from the economy. Our competitors are doing well.” He smiled at her. “But don’t worry, Holly. Macleod has his eye on the ball, so to speak. He and his team are lining up new customers right and left and he has this Amberfield deal in the works. He’ll save us.”
Her stomach lurched. “So, we have to be saved? That’s what I was afraid of.”
Vernon nodded. “Yes, well, you just get ready to hire a passel of new trainees. If Macleod pulls this off, we’ll be increasing production by June.”
So Trent had told her the truth. Feeling as if lead weighted her limbs, she rose. “Thanks, Vernon.” She turned back. “Why did you look so nervous when I first came in?”
He shrugged. “Oh, I was afraid you’d come to chew me out for ratting on your father to Joe Bob. That’s all. Glad to know you’re not mad about that. You can understand I had to tell Joe Bob when Walter tapped into the company’s cash reserves, can’t you? Especially since it was, well, for personal use rather than for the company.”
She froze. “Y—You mean Dad embezzled?”
Vernon turned beet red. “I thought you knew.” He stood. “I’m sorry, Holly. I thought you knew and that’s why you were here.” He scrubbed a hand across his face. “Everyone knew you juggled his finances to keep him solvent so I figured you’d found out.” Vernon gulped and sat down, muttering to himself.
She grabbed the arm of the chair and sat down before her legs gave way. “No, that one got by me.” How had he done it? Her own father embezzled.
“That’s a relief. I mean it’s a relief knowing you weren’t involved. I mean, I never thought you were exactly, but I figured you’d discovered it. I’m sorry you learned it from me.”
“And Grandpa knows?” Why hadn’t he told her?
He nodded. “You can see I had to tell him since he’s the Chairman of the Board and one of the founders. The company—“
She held up her hand. “I understand. It’s your job to protect the company, its employees, and the other family shareholders. You did the right thing.”
“Say, are you all right? Should I get you some water or something?” He rose and came around the desk.
“No, I’ll be fine.” She stood, hoping she could make it to her own desk chair. “Thank you for your time.”
Sleepwalking, Holly headed for her office. Her father had embezzled. Everyone knew. They all thought she had known and probably that she’d been a part of it. How could this have happened? She made it into her private domain.
Sara followed. “Holly, what’s wrong? Did someone die?”
She sank to her chair, grateful for the familiar comfort. “I’m fine. Everything’s fine. Thank you, Sara.”
“You’re not fine, you’re pale as a ghost. What’s happened?” Sara hovered across the desk.
“Life. Doesn’t it always?” She smiled, hoping she convinced her assistant.
Sara didn’t look persuaded. “I’ll be right outside if you need anything. Anything at all.”
“Thanks. I know I can count on you.” Sara backed away.
Holly forced a smile and picked up the phone. “Would you close the door in case anyone comes in? I’m going to make a private phone call.”
As soon as the door clicked closed, Holly dialed and her grandfather answered.
She wished she could throw the phone, wanted to scream into it, but she kept her voice under control. “Grandpa, why didn’t you tell me Dad embezzled?”
“Aw, shit. Who told you?”
She sighed. “Does it matter?”
“I better get Harley to bring me up there, girl. I need to tell you all this face to face.”
“You damn well better hurry, then, because this is stuff I already should have known.” She tapped her finger on the desk, wishing it were his chest.
“Ila Mae and me will be there by quitting time. We’ll take you to dinner about six.”
They agreed to meet at the house and she hung up. She left her office and went to the ladies room. She washed her face in cold water and hoped she looked better than the mirror indicated.
When she got back to her office, she gathered her purse and coat. “Sara, I’m taking a half day of my sick leave. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Sara stared with a perplexed expression. “Feel better.”
Like that was going to happen anytime soon. Her whole business life was a lie. She’d worked long hours and did her very best for the company, had thought her reputation was impeccable. The pride she’d taken in her job seemed a sham now. For however long her father embezzled, Vernon and his office staff thought she’d been in on it.
And Dad. Her own father. He’d stolen from the company. That was the same as taking money from each of the employees and his own family. Dear God, she prayed the retirement account was safe and the retiree pensions weren’t endangered.
She drove home on autopilot and pulled into the garage. When she came in through the kitchen, Marnie was instructing Nell on the proper way to polish the cabinetry. Both women looked taken aback to see her home in the early afternoon.
Marnie bustled forward. “Holly, are you all right?”
“Yes, a bit of a headache. My grandparents are coming to take me to dinner. Thought I’d come home a little early.”
“Sorry about your headache, dear. It must be awful for you to come home because of it. I’ve never known you to do that before.” She patted Holly’s shoulder. “Why don’t I make you a cup of chamomile tea and then you can have a nice soak in the tub?”
As if that could solve what ailed her. “Thanks, Marnie. I think I’ll skip the tea and go straight for the tub. Is Geneva still here?”
“She packed several bags and left about noon. She took Mr. Tucker’s car and said she’d send for the rest of her things in a few days.”
At least Holly wouldn’t have to see her stepmother. That would have been the cherry on the cake of her day.
Instead of the tub, Holly headed for her study and the files her father had kept at home. Private files, he’d said, so li
ke a fool she’d never bothered them. After his death she’d planned on clearing them out, but had put it off. Now she went to the file cabinet and opened the top drawer.
Apparently all vacation information—trips they’d taken beginning with the cruise he and her mother had taken on their honeymoon. The second was files related to home ownership—repairs, warrantees, property tax records. The third held bank statements and a ledger.
Warily, she picked up the book and opened it. Dates and amounts. She laid it on her desk and scanned the first date, May, two years ago, then located the corresponding bank statement from an account she hadn’t known about, with a post office box address. When she sat down, she compared the two. As she feared, the dates in the ledger corresponded to deposits into her father’s account.
Her fingers shook as she pulled out her calculator and added up the numbers. Increasing amounts. The total staggered her. Almost a million dollars. My God! He’d depleted the cash reserve for the company. Where had it gone?
Why had Vernon allowed it to go on for two years before he reported it? Or had he? Had Bruce Jacobs known? Was that the final wedge that drove him from Marvel?
True, Marvel was a family business and technically it wasn’t embezzling unless the other family members pressed charges. But her father had hidden it. Deceived his family.
She had no idea how long she sat pouring over the record of her father’s deceit. She heard voices, and Trent opened the door.
He frowned. “Princess, heard you weren’t feeling well.”
She shrugged and stared at the ledger. “I haven’t had a very good day.”
He came over and took her hands. With a gentle tug, he pulled her to her feet and into his arms. She’d never needed a hug more and she all but threw herself into his embrace.
“Are you sick?” His hands stroked her back.
“No. I found out things. Things I should have known before.” She slid her arms around his waist and held on. She wasn’t sure she could stand without his aid.
He kept one arm around her and led her to a leather wing chair. Settling himself, he pulled her onto his lap.
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