They all laughed for a few seconds. Sean was the first to return to the serious matter at hand. “Adam, we need you to see if there’s any connection between the two companies. Any employees that relocated.”
“Remember how I said I did everything you asked of me and probably more? This is the probably more.” He clicked the touchpad again, and a picture of a young man filled the screen. He was nondescript in appearance. Brown eyes, brown hair, nothing stood out about him. “Meet Casey Park. He’s thirty-five and hungry.”
“Hungry?” Jimmy snorted at Adam’s word choice.
“As in, for advancement. I was able to pull his financials.”
“You’re breaking all sorts of laws, aren’t you?”
Adam drew his attention from the screen to Jimmy. “I’m innovative.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Anyway, this guy was on salary at JW for forty-five grand. Less than a year before that he had started out at twenty-two. But get this? He left the company in November.”
“So he over-doubled his wage in twelve months and then quit?” Sean asked.
“I’m not sure about that. Now, he started working for Tasty Beans in December. His wage? Thirty-five and they never paid him for the transfer. No moving costs, nothing.”
“It is strange that he’d give up his paid holidays at Christmastime to start a new job where he’d get nothing. What do you think, Sean?” Sara asked.
“I find it strange he’d take such a huge cut in pay to relocate from Texas to Williamsburg.”
“Except he didn’t go without,” Adam replied.
“Without what?” Sean asked.
“Compensation. According to his bank records, ten thousand was wired into his account in November and another payment was deposited in December. From January until now, he’s received a subsidiary income of five grand a month. I haven’t been able to track down its source yet.”
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Chapter 19
THERE’S A SPY AMONG US
JIMMY SLOUCHED BACK into his chair. “The guy is a corporate spy.”
“If he is, Java Worldwide isn’t doing too good a job covering their tracks,” Sean concluded.
“Maybe they didn’t think anyone would be interested in the coffee business?”
“Jimmy, globally, it’s worth a hundred billion, second only to crude oil.” Leave it up to Adam to have the facts.
Sara stood and paced the length of the table. “I think this guy is worth our attention. We need to find out where that money is coming from. You did say the supplemental income was untraceable.”
“Within the time constraints I had, yes.” Adam’s pang of disappointment at reaching these confines was etched in his eyes. “I can definitely look into it further.”
“Do that, Adam.”
“Sure, Sara.”
She stopped walking behind Sean and put her hands on his shoulders. “We need to go to Williamsburg. There’s no way around it.”
Sean leaned back. “They do say ‘Virginia is for lovers.’”
Jimmy smacked his lips. “Will you two cut it out or get a room?”
“Don’t hate us because we’re beautiful, rich, and in love,” Sean replied.
“You had to throw in all three, didn’t you?” Jimmy let a few seconds pass before speaking again. “What are you going to do once you get there? It’s not like you can just walk in the front door and start asking questions.”
It had Sara thinking about their PI licenses and, in a case like this, they were almost useless. While they were afforded access to databases for background information on people, the state of Virginia didn’t have a reciprocity agreement with the state of New York. In fact, New York State didn’t have one with any of the other states. That meant they were limited when it came to presenting themselves as investigators. And even if they could go in spouting off questions, the killer wasn’t going to willingly come forward. “We’ll have to act like regular citizens.”
“You’re probably right. We can’t just walk in there and speak with Casey Park.”
“We could always talk to him at home.”
Sean bobbed his head side to side. “That’s an option. Adam, what does Casey do for Tasty Beans?”
“He’s in the flavoring oils department.”
“So, let me sum this up. He transferred from Texas to Virginia for a loss in wage. He’s receiving money each month from an unknown source. And now you’re telling me he works in the department responsible for adding the flavor to the beans?”
“You got it, Sara.”
“Call the pilot, Sean. We’re going to meet Casey Park in person. Jimmy, we need you on standby. Adam, dig deeper with those bank deposits. Find their source.”
“I’m on it.”
-
Chapter 20
WIGS AND MUSTACHES
THEIR PRIVATE JET TOUCHED DOWN at Williamsburg Airport just after one in the afternoon. The fact they could take off at a moment’s notice to anywhere in the world still came as a rush to Sean. He didn’t see it ever growing old.
Adam had obtained Casey’s working hours and discovered he pulled the afternoon shift, from three until eleven. It didn’t leave them much time to get over to his house for a chat.
“Are you sure I look good as a blonde?” Sara was studying her reflection in the vanity mirror of the Toyota they had rented. She adjusted the wig and swiped a longer strand from her eyes.
“You’re a heartbreaker regardless of your hair color, darling.”
She laughed. “You’re just saying that because you want some. I know you.”
“Can’t blame a guy.”
“Oh, I can and I will. And this makeup? Too much? It is, isn’t it?”
He glanced over at her but didn’t say anything. When they decided to come to Virginia to talk to Casey, Helen had suggested they needed disguises.
She had said, “You’re like gossip-rag celebs now.”
“Gossip rag?” He hadn’t been sure whether to be complimented by that or not.
Helen had smiled. “You don’t need to take offense. Your faces are just well known. You’ve been on TV, and in magazines, newspapers. You probably have sites dedicated to following your lives by now. I’m surprised paparazzi aren’t camped outside.”
“Now you’re taking it a little far.”
“The point is, you can’t go there without some sort of a disguise.” Helen had then got to work on him and Sara.
Sean had barely recognized his reflection by the time she was finished with him. The only things that remained true were his eyes. He saw himself there, but everywhere else, well, not so much.
Helen had had Adam going one direction and Jimmy going another. While Adam hit the thrift stores, Jimmy had bought wigs and makeup. Her motherly attributes were obvious, the way she’d had the men jumping to her direction.
“Sean, are you listening to me?”
He realized Sara was waiting for an answer. “Sorry, darling, I was just thinking.”
“Don’t be sorry for that.”
Sara ran a fingertip around her mouth, likely trying to rein in the bright red lipstick from taking over her face.
“Be happy you don’t look like a seventies pop star,” he said.
Jimmy had found two wigs. He’d been ever-so-helpful, and Sean intended to repay him for that. One wig for Sara would have been enough. Why did he need one too? As it turned out, he was wearing a hairpiece that had a ponytail at the nape of his neck—an “added touch” by the lovely Helen—but he wore a fake mustache.
“I can’t believe you’re complaining. You resemble Magnum now.” She laughed. “And you have the license.”
“Ha ha.” A conversation from not so long ago was back to haunt him. He’d have to start considering the long-term ramifications of anything he was inclined to say from now on. Appar
ently their hang-time was perpetual.
“At least you get to remain a brunet.”
“I hear that blondes have more fun.”
“We’ll see about that.”
-
Chapter 21
“WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR”
SEAN RANG CASEY’S DOORBELL AND Sara swayed from side to side. Her skirt, a find that Adam had made at a thrift shop, was definitely not something she would have considered, even before she was a billionaire. Its length was below her knees but flared out like a fifties-style poodle skirt, and it was bright red. It matched the shade of lipstick she wore. Even though she’d never dress like this for real, it was kind of fun. It was like Halloween in May.
As she clasped her hands behind her back, she studied her husband’s garb. She stifled the laughter, but it wasn’t easy.
“What, Miss Mayberry?”
“You’re one to talk. ABBA’s missing a singer.”
He was dressed in tight, white bell-bottoms and a gold puffy-sleeved shirt. The ensemble was suitable for platform shoes, but that’s where he had drawn the line.
“You play mean.”
She couldn’t help it now. She laughed.
Sara wasn’t sure what either of them were thinking—if they were—when they agreed to these elaborate costumes. But one thing was certain, they didn’t resemble their real selves at all. She just didn’t know why they had to look like they were from another decade to do it. Oh well. It was all for a good cause.
The door opened and it was Casey. “What can I do for—” He stopped talking as he took in their outfits.
“We live just down thataway.” Sara pointed down the street, in no particular direction. “We just like to meet our neighbors. May we come in?” Sara asked, laying on all the charm. Without the getup, Casey would have stepped aside already. As it was now, he barred entry.
“Listen, I’ve gotta get ready for work.”
“Oh, don’t let us stop you, sugar.” Sugar? She glanced at Sean. His mouth was twitching like he was trying to suppress a smile. “We’ll only take but a minute of your time.” She squeezed between Casey and the doorframe.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“Just a little chitchat, ’kay, neighbor?”
Casey opened the door to allow Sean in.
“First off, what’s your name?”
“Casey.”
“That’s a real nice name.”
“Thanks.”
Sara wandered a bit inside his townhouse. The main entry wasn’t very big. There was a hallway that led to a back room and stairs off to the immediate right. She pointed upward. “This the way to your sitting area?” She took the first few steps without waiting for an answer.
Growing up, her girlfriend had lived in a townhouse like this one and they were all fashioned the same way. The entry level had laundry and a rec room, the first had the kitchen and living room and from there, a staircase led to the top floor where the bathroom and bedrooms were.
“I don’t know who you two are, but I’ve got to get ready for work. If you could please—” Casey gestured back toward the door.
“Oh, don’t be silly.” Sean laid a hand on his shoulder. “A man always has time for his neighbors.”
Sara heard Sean’s feet on the steps. Casey sighed but resigned to following them. Of course, with complete strangers in his home he didn’t have much choice.
-
Chapter 22
FALSE IDENTITIES
SARA DROPPED ONTO CASEY’S SOFA and Sean sat beside her.
“By all means, make yourselves comfortable.” Casey flailed his arms in the air.
She flashed a smile, keeping in mind that Sean had told her it had the ability to disarm any man’s resolve. She was also a brunette at the time.
“Coffee? Tea? Water?” Casey asked.
“No, thank you. You, darlin’?” She turned to Sean.
“Nope.”
“All right.” Casey thumped down into a ratty recliner but didn’t bother to crank up the leg rest. “What did you two say your names were?”
“Well…we didn’t.” Sara faced Sean.
“Why, we’re…” Sean met her eyes.
Her mind went blank. It was just like earlier that morning when she’d tried to write. Even when she was in a groove, assigning names to secondary characters was sometimes a difficult accomplishment.
“This here is Gwen, my wife, and I’m Stephan.”
Her eyes widened. She was certain her mouth gaped open a bit too.
“Gwen and Stephan? Kind of like that singer.”
Sara waved her hand to dismiss the comment. “Yeah, sort of like that.”
Casey glanced away for a second and that’s all it took for her to fire a glare to Sean.
“What?” he mouthed with a tight jaw.
“So.” Casey ran his hands down his thighs.
“We’ve been wanting to get over here to meet you for a while.” Sara crossed her legs and clasped her hands on her kneecap. “Ya moved here in—what?—January?”
“November, but that’s close.”
“Cool, cool. And where were ya before that?”
“I’m not sure if I’m comfortable with all the questions.”
“Yeah, I guess we are basically strangers,” Sean said.
“Don’t be silly, Se—” She almost messed up. “Stephan, darlin’. We’re neighbors.” She offered Casey a cheesy grin. “So where was that?” She hitched up her brows to emphasize the question.
“Texas.”
“Oh, the Lone Star State. Everyone has a gun out there.”
“Yes they do.”
“Do you still have one?”
“I might.”
“That’s a long move. Why here?”
“Work.”
This process was painfully tedious. Casey was definitely a reserved individual. Whether it was because he had something to hide or not remained to be seen. So far they weren’t getting anything new. “And what’s work?”
“Something I’m going to be late for if I don’t get going soon. Listen, it’s been real nice meeting you…”
Sara could have detected the lie without his telltale sign. As he spoke, he tugged on an earlobe.
“No harm in telling us where you work. I work at Tasty Beans.”
Casey’s eyes—and Sean’s—snapped to her.
“Yep, that’s right. I start tomorrow on the evenin’ shift.”
“That’s quite the coincidence.”
“Nah, shucks, you work there too?”
“I do.”
“Well, Stephan here is trying to get in too. Maybe you could put in a good word for him, seeing as you’ve been there longer.”
Casey stood. “Ah, yeah, sure. I’ll see what I can do.”
“Just wonderful.” Sara clapped her hands and stood. “We’ll see ourselves out. It was real nice meeting ya.”
“Yep.”
Sara sensed his eyes on their backs as they walked away. She glanced into the kitchen and spotted a bowl of apples on the counter. Dee Dee had said that cyanide was found in their seeds. She stopped moving and turned around.
“Actually, if you’re still offering, I’d like a glass of milk. I can help myself.”
“Sure, why not?”
The exasperation in his voice carried the unspoken words, you’re going to do what you like anyway.
She hated drinking milk by itself, but it was the only way she could get into his fridge. She was taking a bet on whether the single man would have milk, but the wager had paid off.
“The glasses?” She drew her finger along the wall of cabinets.
Casey took a glass from the cabinet closest to the fridge. “Here.”
“Why, thank you ever so much.” Sara opened the
door and spotted the carton right away, but she was more interested in the number of apples in the crisper. She wasn’t sure whether to comment on it, but if this was their killer, she couldn’t risk tipping him off. Not to mention, the fact that he had a gun was still clear in her mind.
She closed the fridge door without getting milk. She extended the empty glass back to Casey. “On second thought, too much milk isn’t good for a girl’s waistline. Ta-ta. Maybe I’ll see you at Tasty Beans tomorrow.”
“You never know. I could be lucky.”
Sara’s intuition took that statement to mean if he was lucky he wouldn’t. It had to be the blond wig.
-
Chapter 23
IMPROVISATION
THEY HEADED BACK TO THE rental car, which they had parked down the street to add some credence to their cover story about being Casey’s neighbors. They didn’t need him to see them loading into the vehicle out front of his house.
Sean had walked around to open Sara’s door. She faced him. “Okay, you couldn’t do any better than Gwen and Stephan?”
“Excuse me, you’re the writer and nothing was coming from you. I had to think fast.”
“Hmm.” She got in.
“And you work at Tasty Beans?” he asked as he slipped behind the wheel.
“I think we both do. There’s no way he’s going to open up to us as neighbors.”
He stopped short of turning the key in the ignition. “No, no, no. Don’t drag me into this.”
“Listen, we have to do what we have to do to solve this thing, Sean. One woman has already died. How many more out there are sick and in danger of losing their lives? We have to stop this thing right now.”
“All right, and how do you intend to arrange employment?”
“I have a little arsenal in my pocket. His name is Adam.” She pulled out her cell phone and put him on speaker. “Go ahead,” she said to Sean.
“How are you coming with tracing those deposits to Casey’s bank account?”
She whispered to Sean, “That’s not the question I called him about.”
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