“That explains why Frank was so upset the other day. He came in yelling at me, saying he needed to talk to Ashley now. He said he's been getting her voice mail and she needs to call him back now. Hell, he scared me!” I said. I overheard a few conversations she had with him and the last time she told him not to kill anyone and that she would take care of it.” “This sounds serious, it's been escalating. I don't think she can handle it.” Lance said. “I don't think she wants to handle it anymore. “Wait-there's a side note here: I wish Lucy would never have referred him to me.” It said. “So he came to her through Lucy? Hhmmmm...Well let's call it a night.” Lance said. “Yeah I'm tired.” The next day I was up early looking at everything. Nothing in Will's papers suggested anything more than the fact that he was following orders from Lucy. But all I had to prove was that Steve had those accounts on the orders of his sister. “Steve, can you meet me today?” “Sure, where?” “Uh, at that coffee house we met at last time.” “I don't think that would be a good idea.” “Why?” “Remember when I told you I was being followed?” “Yes.” “Well I'm still being followed. I think, no, I know, Lucy hired someone to follow me. I think it's Mitch one of her hench men.” “Okay, so where do you want to meet?”
“Let's meet at the pier. There's a coffee house right on the corner. I can be there in an hour.” Steve was twenty minutes late. “I didn't think you were coming.” I told him. “Sorry. I had to try and throw Mitch off my trail.” “Why is he following you?” “I don't know. But my sister is smart and I think she knows me well enough to know that I won't take this lying down. She's pegging me as a thief! I'll never get another job in accounting. She wants to keep tabs on what I'm doing and who I'm talking to.” “Well I've been doing some digging. Verene was able to get me some of Will's most recent work. None of the accounts he's been dealing with are the same as the ones you had.” “I'm not surprised.” Steve said. “Your sister changed things after you left. So now it looks like you weren't paying on the right accounts. It looks like you made ghost accounts to send money to for your own purposes.” He nodded. “So I'll need copies of all your bank accounts.” “My bank accounts have already been frozen.” “What?” “Yes. They also froze my wife's accounts. All we're living on now is money we saved at home and my wife's parents.” “Did they find anything suspicious?” “I haven't spoken to anyone since it happened.” “Who ordered the freeze?” “Elizabeth Kinsey.”
“I also need you to get me anything you have that you were working on. Any accounts, payment receipts, ledgers, anything.” “When they 'packed up' my office, they took all of that.” “Well look through it again. You never know they may have missed something important. Also, did you ever work from home or send account information to your personal computer?” “Yes, but they took it.” “What about your cell phone? Is there anything on it that was work related?” He pulled his cell phone out and handed it to me. “You can take it. It's been turned off since Melissa and I are cutting back.” “So how can I contact you from now on?” “My home number. It's 202-611-4210.” “Thanks. If you find anything, anything at all, let me know ASAP. Right now we're at a stalemate. We know you weren't stealing from your sister, but we don't know who else was or why.” “I'll get this phone to a savvy tech guy I know he'll get on it right away.” “I need to ask you another question.” “Shoot.” “ What do you know about Ashley's cases?” “Nothing really.” “Did you know Ashley was seeing her client intimately?” “What! No way!” he said. “Are you talking about the Frank Swanson divorce?” “Yes.” “She was...I have some of her paperwork. She kept detailed notes on it.” “I can't believe it! Ashley is a smart girl. She seemed so driven. I remember when she was hired. She had that look in her eye like she was unstoppable. That's disappointing.” he said shaking his head.
Chapter 9-He Proposed I left Steve with that food for thought. It was in his hands now to try and come up with something that wouldn't further incriminate him. All I could do was wait. When I got home Lance was watching the news. “How did it go with Steve?” “Fine. He's being followed.” “What? Why?” “He thinks his sister has someone named Mitch tailing him because she wants to know what he's up to and who he's talking to.” “This is getting dangerous Max. I don't like it.” “What's not to like?” “What's not to like? All of it...you're dealing with a man who's sister is obviously doing all of this for a reason. And now you're right in the middle of it.” “I gave my word that I would help him, and that's what I'm going to do.” “I'm just asking you to be careful Max, that's all. If you start feeling like this is getting to be too much for you, please back off. If something happened to you I'd...” “Nothing's going to happen to me Lance. I'm careful and I'm smart.” “I know but please just watch yourself.” he said kissing my forehead. “Let me have a look at your bandages.” I said unwrapping them. “Looks good.” I told him. “How do you feel?” “I'm feeling okay, the pain is bearable.” “Good.” I cleaned the wound with the antiseptic cleanser the nurse gave us and re-wrapped his arm.
“I was thinking we could go to a movie or something.” I said. “I'd rather go to the park.” Lance said. “I could use some fresh air.” I packed us a lunch and we headed out to Lovers Island. “It's always so beautiful here.” I said as we walked around to find a place to sit. We decided on a place under a big red oak tree near the lake. “I really love you Max, ya know?” Lance said. “Yes, I know. I really love you too.” He laid his head in my lap and I gave him a head rub. “You relax me, I can be myself around you. You always have my best interest at heart. You're different than any woman I've ever dealt with before...I trust you. And I couldn't see myself living this life without you.” “You don't have to, I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere.” “Well I want to make sure of that.” he said sitting up. He went into his pocket and pulled out a small red velvet box and I thought I was gonna faint. “Maxine Alexandria Skye, will you marry me?” I just sat there staring at him and the ring and back at him. “Well?” he said smiling at me. “You know I can't resist that smile!” I said grabbing him to hug him. “Will you marry me?” he asked again. “Yes! Yes! Of course I will!” I screamed...and the tears came. He took my hand and pushed the ring on my finger.
“How did you know my size? It's a perfect fit!” “I got a ring sizer and put it on your hand while you slept.” he said shyly. “It's beautiful!” I said getting up to dance around. “If I had known you were going to do this I would have brought some champagne.” I said wiping the tears away. “I'll be right back.” he said. He disappeared for five minutes and came back with plastic wine glasses, a bottle of pink champagne and a box of chocolates. He poured the champagne and handed me a glass. “Thank you for agreeing to be my wife.” he laughed. “You're welcome.” I said as he kissed me. We sat and watched the water and I stared at my 2 carat diamond ring. “Are you afraid it'll disappear?” “Nope. I just can't believe I'm wearing it. It's beautiful. Look how it glistens in the sun!” I said turning my finger. “It is a beauty. I'm glad you like it.” “Like it? I love it! How much did this cost?” “Now why would you ask me that?” “I just want to make sure you didn't spend your whole savings on it.” “Max, I'd spend every dime I have on you. Besides, I've been saving for almost a year.” “This cost almost a year's salary!?” “Max!” Lance said as if he was scolding me. “I'm sorry.” “Just enjoy it and know that I love you.”
We left the park at dusk and decided to go get dinner at Dressler's Bar and Grill. “Good evening folks, what can I get for you?” “I'll have a t-bone steak, side salad with dressing on the side please.” I said. “I'll have the t-bone steak and a side salad.” Lance said also. “Be back in a flash!” the waitress said. “I can't wait to tell Mariah I'm getting married!” I squealed. Lance laughed. “She literally just asked me when we would make the jump.” “Well now you can tell her.” “We have to set a date.” “Just tell me when, where and how much and I'll be there.” he said just as our dinner arrived. We ate and then went home and made love all night. The ne
xt morning I got up all excited to tell my sister the good news. I poured coffee and turned on the television. Lance was still sleeping so it was the perfect time to chat. “Mariiiaahhh!” I sang into the phone. “What's up sis? I'm taking Arden to school.” “Well call me back once you've dropped her off. I have big news!” I said. “No tell me right now! She's about to get out anyway, hold on a minute.” 'Bye Ar, see you at 3:00pm have a good day!”
“Okay...tell me, what is it?” “Lance proposed to me last night!” “Oh my God Max, congratulations! I'm so happy for you!” “Thank you, thank you.” “Soooo...what does the ring look like?” “It's so beautiful Mar, it's 2 carats.” “Wow, that must have cost a fortune.” “I don't know all he would say is he saved for almost a year.” “Max, you didn't ask the man how much he spent did you?” “Well...” “Oh Max! Anyway I'm happy for you and Lance. You both deserve to be happy.” “Thanks Mar. So listen, I want to get a few people together for a dinner and make an announcement. And I'm gonna need your help planning this thing and picking a dress and...” “Whoa, slow down. You know I'm here for you whatever you need.” “Okay.” “Have you thought about a date?” “I don't know, how long does it take to plan a wedding?” “It takes a little while hon. Especially if you want every detail exactly right. Remember me when I got married? I was a crazy woman!” “A bridezilla.” I mumbled. “What?” “Nothing!” I said. “You will be too little sis trust me.” “When can you meet with me?” “Well I have class today, actually for most of the day. What about Thursday?”
“Thursday is fine I guess.” “Don't pout Max, we'll plan the most beautiful wedding you could ever want. I'm experienced at this.” “Okay sounds good.” “Now send me a picture of that rock!” I set my phone to camera mode and snapped a picture of my ring and hit send. Before I could put the phone back to my ear I heard her screaming. “Oh my God this thing is beautiful!” “Thank you.” “How did this happen anyway?” “Last night I suggested we go to the movies but Lance said he wanted some air. So we went to Lovers Island. He had his head in my lap and I was giving him a head massage and he started talking. He said: I really love you Max, ya know? And I said yes I really love you too. Then he said you relax me, I can be myself around you. You always have my best interest at heart. You're different than any woman I've ever dealt with before...I trust you. And I couldn't see myself living this life without you. So I said you don't have to, I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere. So he said well I want to make sure of that and he pulled the ring out of his pocket and I cried. Then he got champagne and chocolates and it was a night I'll never forget. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world!” I said. “You are the luckiest girl in the world. He really loves you.” “I know.” I said trying not to cry again. “Okay crybaby, I'll call you tomorrow night so we can set a time to meet Thursday alright?” “Okay.” “Bye.” “Bye.”
“Was that Mariah?” I heard Lance's voice behind me. “Yep. She's happy for us.” I told him wiping my face with a napkin. “Are you crying?” “Happy tears babe.” I said. “Do you want some coffee?” “Yeah I'll have a cup but I can get it myself.” he said. “No you need to sit down. I'll get it.” “Being pampered...I like it. Maybe I should get shot more often.” he laughed but I didn't. It suddenly hit me that I was marrying a police officer. Of course I always knew Lance's profession. And I would feel the same way weather I was his girlfriend or his wife if something happened to him. But for some reason it scared me even more now. I guess it showed on my face that I had something on my mind. “What's up Max?” Lance said. “Nothing...nothing.” “Come on, you have to be honest with me. I can read you like a book and I know when something is on your mind.” “I was thinking about what you just said.” “What?” Getting shot again.” “That was a joke, baby.” “I know but I already worried about it in the back of my mind...and now you're going to be my husband and I don't want to get that call...” I said trying to hold back more tears. Lance got up to hug me. “Max, please calm down. I have been an officer for seven years. I take every precaution...and now I have even more of a reason to be careful. You and Lacey mean the world to me. I live for both of you.” I didn't want him to see me crying so I buried my head in his chest.
The rest of the day was spent with me online looking at all things wedding. I had become consumed with the idea of being a blushing bride. Lance slept off and on still taking his medication. The next day we went to the doctor's and they said he was doing well. All had been quiet until Verene called me from work sounding frantic. “Max!” she said in a whispered scream. “What's going on Verene?” “That guy Frank is here. He's screaming at the receptionist saying he wants to see Ashley now but she's not here.” “Um, okay...well if he's being irrational then someone should call the police.” “They are on the way, but it's been almost fifteen minutes.” “All I can tell you is to wait for them.” I could hear him yelling in the background. “Almost everyone is down here trying to deal with him.” 'If Ashley doesn't show up soon there will be hell to pay!' I heard him yell. “Oh thank God!” I heard Verene say. “What's happening?” “The police just showed up.” “Good, now you can calm down.” “Yes Lord! My nerves!” Verene said. I had to laugh. “They're talking to him now.” “Is it working?” “He's still upset but he's walking out with them.” “Okay good.” “I'll call you back if anything else happens in this looney bin.” “Alright thanks.”
“What's going on?” Lance asked. “Frank showed up at Knight, Hall and Hall today and acted a fool. He was looking for Ashley but she wasn't there.” “So what happened?” “They had to call the police to calm him down. She really needs to deal with that before it gets worse.” “Worse? How much worse can it get? A crazy man showing up on your job yelling at everybody?” “That poor receptionist.” I said. Lance shook his head at me. I knew he wasn't crazy about the idea of me working with these people but I was determined to see it through. I intended to find out one way or the other if Steve was innocent. I wondered if I should confront Ashley with what I knew. I didn't know if she realized just how much danger she could be in with a man like Frank. He was volatile and out of control. He could lose it at any moment and she might not have the comforts of the office and the police to save her next time. “Hello?” I answered Verene's call. “That was crazy wasn't it?” she said. “Yes it was, did anything else happen?” “Ashley decided to take the rest of the day off.” “Yeah I don't blame her.” “I was just sitting here thinking about her.” “Well, since she was gone, I took the liberty of going through her files again, and these are more recent.” “Okay, can you bring them by today?” “Yep, I'm on the way.”
“Well hello diamond ring!” Verene said when I let her in. I smiled. “So...talk!” she said. “When did all this happen?” “A couple days ago...he proposed to me at Lovers Island. It was so romantic...I cried.” “Well this is just beautiful and I am so very happy for the two of you!” Verene exclaimed giving me a hug. “I am happy too.” “Have you set a date yet?” “No my sister is going to help me with everything but when I do I'll let you know.” “You better!” she said. “Well, here are the files from Ashley's desk. I made copies of them.” “These are just from yesterday.” I said. “Yes, and she seemed to have a lot to say.” Verene is my partner so I thought I'd better let her in on everything I knew so far. So I discussed everything that Lance and I went over and told her all about Frank and Ashley. “So now we are here.” I said looking at the files she brought. “She's saying that she can no longer work with Frank. He's become scary, even for me she adds.” “You think?” Verene said. I continued reading her entry. “I think Frank has already put out a hit on his wife. I'm not sure but he said the problem will be solved soon. I told him I would get him his divorce but he couldn't be patient. I have refused to see him anymore.”
“Wow I never would have thought we'd be seeing all of this!” Verene said. “Me either.” “Has anyone been in Steve's office since he was fired?” “Not that I've seen. It's been dark and no movement down there.�
�� “Do you think you could get me in there after hours?” “Yes I think so...tomorrow would be the best day too because we are staying a little later to do a deep clean. April is leaving though...she claims she's got a family thing.” “Perfect, what time should I be there?” “I'll get started around 4:30pm.” “Okay I'll see you tomorrow at 4:30.” “Come to the back entrance, I can get you straight up to Steve's office without anyone seeing you.” “Okay, got it.” “Is this the famous Verene?” Lance asked. “Yes it is.” I said. “Verene this is Lance, my fiance.” “Nice to meet you sir!” she said. “Good job on the ring it's gorgeous.” “Thank you.” he blushed. “Well good luck and congratulations to you both!” Verene said giving me another hug.
Maxine Skye, Private Eye Page 10