Anne jerked as if he'd stabbed her. "Darcy?" She grabbed his shoulder, her fingers digging into his shirt as though her life depended on her next question. "Who was the lawyer that Will replaced?"
Rick had no idea why this was so important. Weren't lawyers replaced often? "I don't know. Some old guy who'd been working there for years--"
Her fingers dug further. "Did this old guy have cancer a year back?"
Rick cocked his head. Brandon had mentioned that once, hadn't he? "Yeah, I think he did."
"Rick! That was my father! Will took over my Dad's old job." She looked down, a snarl on her face, like a mama bear protected her cubs. "And Penny is the way he did it."
More names he didn't recognize. He really knew nothing about her life. Something he needed to rectify quickly. "Who's Penny?"
"My sister's best friend. I have no idea why she would do it, but I know those two know each other but are pretending they don't." Her snarl softened into a sheepish smile and she nudged his shoulder. "They reminded me of us in Uppercross."
He frowned, unable to reconcile the idea of Will loving someone as much as he loved Anne. The man didn't seem to have enough room in his shriveled heart. However, he could see Will making a girl THINK he loved her that much, just like he was trying for Anne.
Rick wrapped an arm around her shoulders as if to ensure the ghost of Will couldn't get her. "Yeah, sorry about that. I was being an idiot then."
She smiled up at him and it was like all his sins had been forgiven. "It's okay. But," excitement lit up her eyes, "this could finally be the proof we need!" She paused for a second. "Hey, how well do you know your boss? Is there a way you can get him to give you permission to get some files from a law firm?"
Rick shrugged. "Probably. Mr. Bingley is usually willing to listen to any idea, no matter how insane, and he's best friends with Darcy." The hard part would be getting past Miss Bingley. She might not see the matter as urgent or even as important and refused to patch him through. "What will the files prove?" That might give a way to get past the suspicious Miss Bingley.
Anne sighed. "Honestly, I don't know. Penny had taken documents that were meant for an outside law firm, but they never showed up and my dad was blamed for the mishap and fired. I'm hoping when Will came in, he might have used the material I had printed out when he took over the case. It's possible he re-used some of the stuff I printed and if I could find, I don't know, a fingerprint to show I had touched the papers--"
"Wait a sec," Rick grabbed her hand, excitement shooting through him. "Were those files printed off of any of our corporate printers?"
She stared at him, obviously confused. "No, I printed them at my house."
"Do you know if your printer is a laser one?"
"Yeah, we bought it about two years ago."
He grinned. "We just might have a way to prove he stole the papers! Laser printers print an invisible code on every piece of paper it prints so you don't need a fingerprint. I just need the printer and the papers to prove YOU printed them, not him."
"Rick, that would be amazing!"
Not as amazing as how she looked right now with her face practically glowing with happiness. It was like she had turned into an angel. He wanted her to always look like that. "You free tomorrow?" If he called right away, Bingley might give him the permission to get the papers by tomorrow.
She scooted closer to him. "I'm free tonight!"
He laughed. She was too adorable. "I meant for invading the law firm."
She flushed. "Oh, right."
He grinned. She was even more adorable embarrassed.
Chapter 28
Rick and Anne ended up at a random restaurant nearby with the idea to continue planning the invasion of the law firm, but they ended up chatting about each other. Rick had no idea what he ended up eating since all his hunger was focused on Anne and learning of all the new people she'd met and the things she'd done in the past eight years. Anne seemed as ravenous as he and constantly pestered him with questions of his own life. Three hours later and they weren't even halfway through those eight years. Rick wanted to continue all night long, but he needed to call Bingley before it became too late.
"Oh, yes, you should!" Anne cried when he brought the subject up. "I can't believe I forgot. Call him up right now."
"I'll wind up with his sister first."
"The cold Miss Bingley?"
"Yeah." He grimaced, remembering the contract he had yet to look over. Miss Bingley would be displeased if he didn't have an answer yet. Not the best way to start asking for a favor. "Actually, there's something I need to ask you first."
"I'm sure my answer will be 'yes.'"
Rick laughed. "You need to hear it first. I've, uh, I've been offered a position as manager over the Boston office."
Her eyes went wide. "The entire department? Rick, that's incredible!"
He was so glad she had once worked for his corporation. No need to try to explain how important the offer was; she already understood it.
"Yeah, I know. But, well, it will mean living in the Boston area. Are you fine with that or would you rather move back to Rhode Island?"
She covered his hand with hers. "I guess that depends on which one you would prefer?"
He laughed. The two of them seemed to be competing on who would please the other the most, just like they did when they were teenagers.
"You have to tell me your preference first," Rick countered, a trick that usually enticed Anne to open up.
"Honestly? The home I grew up in is the only home I've really loved. But, since Sophy and Al are already in it, anywhere else will do. Now," she squeezed his hand. "What's your honest preference?"
He hesitated, not knowing what to say, and Anne remained quiet, her chocolate eyes inquisitive.
He sighed. "It's true I've always wanted to stay in one spot, but...well, I really enjoy the traveling. Experiencing different cultures, seeing amazing sights, not to mention how awesome it feels when you find a really great invention that could change the world. But, at the same time," he gripped her hand, "that management position would let me shower you with money, give you a nice home, stability, and a place to put down roots." Not to mention impressing her father at last.
She rubbed his hand with her thumb for a few seconds. "Let me see if I understand this: if I wasn't in the picture, you wouldn't take the offer, would you?"
She read him too well. "No, not really."
"Then don't take it."
He gripped her hand. "Anne, traveling as often as I do can be hard. You would practically be living in hotels all the time, never having the chance to make permanent touches wherever you go. It's an entirely different lifestyle that not many people can handle. Trust me, I've been doing this for over a year now and have seen a huge turnover. It's a hard life."
She gazed at nothing for a moment. "Remember when we were teenagers, when you'd spout of all the big travels you dreamed of us doing? That was the first time I ever wanted to travel. And, I've always wanted to travel since, but, well," she looked down at their entwined hands. "Never really had anyone to go with. So," she interlocked her fingers with his, "I think I'd like to try it. I'd like to see the places you've been and meet the people you've been talking about."
"Are you sure?"
She grinned. "Hotel rooms or nice rooms in a house; they're all the same if I'm with you."
He wanted to kiss her. Unfortunately, a table was in between them. But he solved that quickly enough by pulling her out and pulling her close. They were supposed to leave anyway. It took another minute before they remembered they were in a packed restaurant and were probably annoying others. With great reluctance, Rick walked Anne to her car, shared another too-short kiss, and then watched until her car disappeared into the sea of traffic.
Wishing he was in Anne's car, he headed for his own and pulled out his phone. To his surprise, a text message from Sophy waited for him.
"So???" was all it read.
Feeling mischievo
us, he texted back, "Pretty sure you want to hear this in person."
"You talked to her????" came the answering text, followed with, "COME OVER RIGHT NOW!"
He laughed. "Can't. Got work."
"Noooooo! When, then?"
"Tomorrow, maybe?"
"Bring her with you!"
Rick shook his head. "You're assuming she said yes."
"You wouldn't be sending so many texts if she hadn't."
She had a point, but he wasn't going to concede quite yet. "Depressed guys can text, too. But, gotta run. Work calls."
"Tomorrow!" was her last text.
He couldn't stop grinning even as he dialed Bingley's number and Miss Bingley's cold voice answered the line.
"I haven't received the contract yet."
"I know. I've decided to decline."
There was dead silence on the other end. Rick wished he'd done this in person--then he could see her face. Was she impressed? Or just shocked?
Unfortunately, her cold voice revealed neither when she continued, "Mr. Bingley will be disappointed."
Rick's grin faltered. He hadn't considered that notion. "Well, assure Mr. Bingley that I'll still be his go-to man for anything, but I believe my skills are better at discovering new leads instead of managing them."
"I'll make sure to relay your message," she said as though about to hang up.
"One more thing, Miss Bingley. I need permission to access some papers from a local law firm. I need to review some things for a case of mine," Rick added, hoping that sounded official enough that she wouldn't question him.
It didn't work. "That isn't normally a part of your job description."
"I know, but I'm working on a special case." That had worked before.
There was a pause on her side. "I'll run it by Mr. Bingley, then. He's busy at the moment. I'll have him return your call when he's next available."
"That's fine. Anytime is good, too," he added, hoping that might ensure he received a call tonight.
Miss Bingley gave no promises and ended the call as coldly as she began it. With that over, Rick braved the evening rush hour and drove to his hotel. It took over an hour and by the time he reached his room, Rick had determined to change hotels. He didn't want an hour commute just to see Anne, after all.
As if his thoughts had summoned her, his phone rang and her smiling face and intoxicating chocolate eyes, the one he had taken during the dinner, popped up on his phone. He burst into a grin and answered the call.
"Anne!"
"Rick!" There was a frantic edge to her voice. "I'm so glad you answered; my father has been arrested!"
His grin died. "What?"
"He's been arrested for embezzlement during his job with Pemberly Estates, but I know it was Will who framed him."
Rick began to pace. "Will FRAMED your father?" If that sleazy man could do that, then he could also frame Anne. She had worked for her father--she could easily be included in the crime. And then Rick would have the love of his life in jail instead of by his side.
"I'll get those papers." He didn't know if those would save her father, but it should at least protect Anne. "I need to make some calls. I'll call you when I make progress, okay?"
"Okay, but be careful. You said you worked with Will--he could frame you, too, if he knew you were involved."
Rick couldn't help grinning. Anne was in danger herself but all she could think about was him. "I'll be fine. Just stay away from Will. If he comes near you," he curled his fists. "Call me." He'd gladly smash that man's face in if he dares lay a finger on his Anne.
"I saw him earlier--"
"You did?" Rick stormed for the door. "Did he hurt you?"
"No, I'm fine. He acted like the hero who was coming to save our father. He offered to be the lawyer on the case."
Rick couldn't believe it. The man really was a snake.
"He did the same thing when Livvy's husband was under trial, but thankfully, my dad called Russelle. She'll be handling it, not Will."
"But where is Will now?" He desperately hoped he wasn't still with Anne.
"He's with Eliza, my older sister. She still likes him and is monopolizing his attention."
"Good." The two haughty people were a perfect pair. "Let me know if he tries to see you again. I don't want him near you, okay?"
"I completely agree."
"Okay, I'll call you when I get good news."
Once the call ended, he immediately called Bingley, but the line went straight to voicemail. He checked the time. It was past closing time; everyone would have gone home by now. And Rick wasn't important enough to have his boss' personal phone number.
Undeterred, Rick woke up early the next morning and called the minute the office was open. His reward was an annoyed Miss Bingley, but she consented to put him through to her boss.
"Rick!" Bingley's voice of excitement rang through the line, "I hope you're about to tell me you changed your mind about the job offer?"
Rick cringed. "Sorry, sir, but I--"
"I really could use you right now. We have a mess going on in that office. I just learned of an embezzlement case that's been going on for a while and I could really use someone like you to make sure we get to the bottom of this and ferret out everyone involved."
He hesitated. If taking the job meant keeping Anne safe...
Then again, Anne might be disappointed since she knew he didn't want it. Perhaps there was another way?
He cleared his throat. "Actually, sir, I was tipped about this yesterday and I think I know a way to solve it.
"Ah, Will already told you about this?"
That was not the case, but Rick didn't see the need to set the record straight.
"If I could get permission," Rick began, "to obtain some documents--"
"You can have any permission you want. Head on over to the office and talk to Julia Younge. I'll let her know you're coming over and she can get you whatever you need."
"What if I want documents a separate law firm would have?"
"Just use my name and if you have any trouble, have them call Caroline. She'll make sure they cooperate."
Rick thanked his boss then hung up, excited. Brandon was right. He WAS lucky.
Dashing for his car, he made his way to the Boston office and discovered Julia Younge to be a lady in her forties with a sweet smile that jarred with her cold eyes. She sat in front of the main desk, ready to direct all who entered the large office.
"Mr. Wentworth," she said once he introduced himself, "how can I help you?"
"I need to see all the documents related to the embezzlement case. I'm sure Mr. Bingley told you the particulars."
"Yes, he did, but I'm afraid Will took everything this morning. He hopes to be the lawyer in the case."
"To defend the accused?"
"No, to be the prosecutor for our side, naturally."
Rick stared at her for a second. Hadn't Will offered to help Anne's side? Had he intended to somehow be the lawyer on both sides? Or did he take the documents to doctor them, thus sealing Anne's father's fate? The man really was a snake.
"Where's Will's office?"
She glanced to her right as if nervous about something. "He's not here right now, but--"
"That's fine." Rick headed down the hallway she glanced toward, having a hunch that Will was actually in his office right now. The lovely Julia must be in on the scheme or at least had an idea of what was going on.
As if proving him right, he heard the clatter of high heels follow him.
"Mr. Wentworth, you're not allowed--"
"I'm pretty sure if you called Mr. Bingley, he'll be fine with this," Rick shot over his shoulder, not slowing one bit, his eyes on the name tags adorning each doorway. When he reached the one with Will's name, he twisted the doorknob and swung it open, relishing the moment to confront the snake.
Unfortunately, Will was not in residence. Instead, another man stood at one of the cabinets, a look of surprise on his face. He seemed the same age as Wi
ll, but this man had curly brown hair, broader shoulders, and despite the suite he wore, it was obvious the man had a set of muscles in those arms to make any man jealous.
"I told you," Julia announced as she caught up with Rick, "Will wasn't here right here."
"Who's this?" Rick waved a hand at the new man.
"George Wickham," the man revealed a toothy smile and strode over to Rick, hand outstretched. "A pleasure meeting you, Mr...?"
"Wentworth." Rick accepted his handshake. "And you know Will because...?"
He flashed that toothy grin of his again. "I'm a client of his. You a client as well?"
"He's a co-worker," Julia cut in icily, those cold eyes bearing into Rick like ice daggers, but he refused to budge.
"Where is Will?"
"Working, no doubt," Julia stated. "Is there anything else you'll need today, Mr. Wentworth?"
Rick hesitated, looking around the office. He'd love to search it, but doubted the icy Julia would allow him. Nor did he think Bingley would approve of him sacking another co-worker's place when he had no substantial proof of wrongdoing.
"For now, yes," Rick replied and headed back to the entrance. Both Julia and Will's client followed him as if making sure he left. Rick had no doubt the both of them would inform Will of the intrusion, but hopefully Rick can get those documents from the law firm and prove Will guilty before he had the chance to doctor anything else.
Chapter 29
When Rick arrived at the law firm, he expected a fight to get the documents. To his surprise, they made one phone call to Miss Bingley and he had the needed documents within half an hour.
As he walked toward his car, he pulled out his phone and dialed his sister's number.
"Is she coming over?" Were the first words over the line.
Rick laughed. "I need you to do something for me, first."
"Rick, you're killing me! Can you at least tell me how interested she is in you?"
"You're still assuming she said yes."
"You're sounding too happy for it to have been a negative response."
He laughed again. "Well, I'm about to score a big if a certain sister of mine would help."
Persuading Her: A Modern Persuasion Retelling (Pemberley Estates Book 2) Page 20