Random Acts of Fraud (Holly Anna Paladin Mysteries Book 5)

by Christy Barritt

  But the woman who stepped out onto the porch wasn’t the Blake I’d met before.

  It looked like I’d been scammed . . . again.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  “That was rough,” Jamie said, a dazed expression on her face.

  “More than rough,” I muttered, knowing my expression reflected hers.

  I was letting Jamie drive my Mustang back to Cincinnati from Hillsboro, something that I never did. I was pretty protective of my car. Sadly so, at times. But I was flustered right now, and I knew my focus was gone.

  “Blake Hallowell wasn’t really Blake Hallowell,” I said, playing with the end of a curly strand of hair. “What in the world is going on?”

  “I have no idea. It’s all getting too weird for me.”

  I chewed on my thoughts still, rubbing the ends of my hair against my jaw. Not even Harry Connick Jr. was cheering me up right now. “Was she working with Travis and Chuck? Is she the ringleader?”

  “Maybe. But why? What’s her connection?”

  “I have no idea. There’s something we’re missing, Jamie.”

  “I agree. I just don’t know what.”

  When I laid out the facts and stripped everything else away, the answer suddenly seemed obvious. My Blake was using an assumed identity. Travis and Chuck were stealing something from dead people. Put that together and you had . . .

  “ID theft,” I muttered.

  “What?”

  A surge of excitement rushed through me. “What if the three of them—Blake, Travis, and Chuck—were stealing the IDs of the people who died? Maybe sneaking their Social Security cards—or asking for their numbers as verification when they signed the bodies out? That would put them in the perfect position to steal someone’s identity.”

  Jamie wagged her head thoughtfully. “Maybe.”

  “We know it’s something bigger than jewelry. This could be the answer we’ve been looking for.”

  “I’m not denying it. But wouldn’t there be easier ways to do that? Like on a computer?

  “I have no idea.” My hands flew in the air. “But I feel like we’re onto something, Jamie. Like we’re really onto something.”

  As I said the words, my hand hit one of my earrings, and it flew off. I groaned. Go figure. The one time I act with histrionics, I lose one of my favorite pieces of jewelry.

  I reached between my seats to try and retrieve it. I felt around on the carpet, trying to find it through touch since I couldn’t see anything.

  My fingers felt something smooth with hard edges wedged beneath the driver’s seat.

  That wasn’t my earring. But what was it?

  I finally got a good grip on it and jerked my hand out.

  I stared at the object I held.

  It appeared to be a jump drive, one I’d never seen before.

  “Where did that come from?” Jamie glanced away from the road for a second.

  I slowly let the air out of my lungs, a touch of satisfaction washing over me. I studied it one more minute to confirm my initial thoughts. “I think this used to be attached to that keychain that someone stuck in my pocket. The metal end fit right here. It must have fallen out somehow. The key was never significant. This was.”

  Jamie and I exchanged a glance.

  “We’ve got to get this to Chase.” I pulled out my phone and wasted no time.

  If Blake was involved, this didn’t matter. But if she was an innocent bystander, this discovery could mean the difference between life and death.

  I dropped Jamie off at home—her mom had a babysitting situation and needed Jamie there ASAP—and then I hurried to the police station.

  Chase escorted me to his office and shut the door behind us. I handed him the jump drive, feeling giddier than a bride about to walk down the aisle.

  I couldn’t wait to find out what was on this device

  “I can’t believe this was in your car,” he muttered, sitting at his desk.

  “I know. Me neither.”

  Chase studied it as he walked toward his desk. He sat and inserted the device into his computer. Whatever was on this jump drive had made my life precariously miserable. Maybe all of this would finally end. A girl could hope.

  The computer slowly loaded. I stood behind him, not wanting to miss a thing.

  I held my breath as I waited to see what would pop up on the screen. Finally, a list of numbers appeared. They were listed in three columns with no text.

  Chase and I both stared at the screen.

  Some of my excitement evaporated as more questions stared me in the face. Nothing was ever easy, was it?

  “Any idea what this means?” I leaned closer for a better look.

  “I have no idea.” He pointed to the first column. “Maybe this is an invoice number?”

  “The second column could be Social Security numbers.”

  “It’s the correct amount of digits. And what if that third column is a payment amount?”

  “Okay, maybe we’re getting somewhere with this.”

  “Could this be money people have made through selling other people’s identities?” I asked.

  I explained to him what I’d learned about Blake.

  Chase leaned back with a sigh. “It’s within the realm of possibility. And if that last column is the amount people are making on this, it would be reason enough for someone to kill. If we’re right, someone is raking in thousands of dollars.”

  I walked around his desk and sat down in the chair on the other side. “So, whoever is behind this should have money. Should have access to people who’ve recently died. Should be smart. Have connections.”

  Raul? He was the first person who came to mind. Because even if Blake was involved, she had to be working with someone. After all, it was a man who’d broken into my house. A man who’d tried to steal my purse.

  But I couldn’t deny that Drew fit that description also. I didn’t want to believe it, but it was true.

  “Travis and Chuck must have collected this information,” Chase said. “Maybe they were going to go to the police with it, and the ringleader found out about their plan. Whoever is behind this must know that this information can bring him down. He’d not only lose money but he’d face jail time.”

  I rubbed my temples, feeling a headache coming on. “What do we do now?”

  “I’m going to let my tech guys look at this. We’ll run some of these numbers to confirm our theory. Until then, you should play it safe.”

  Should I tell him that I had a date with Drew this evening?

  No, maybe I shouldn’t.

  Maybe I should cancel, for that matter.

  I didn’t know.

  But Drew couldn’t be behind this. He’d been with me when I’d gotten a couple of those texts.

  I replayed the scene at the Mediterranean restaurant when I’d gotten the message that made it clear the bad guy knew I was eating hummus. Drew’s hands had been concealed behind the menu at some point. Had he been able to compose that text and then send it while he spoke with me?

  But then that man had tried to snatch my purse while Drew was there. Drew hadn’t been able to catch him. But what if that had been on purpose? What if Drew had hired someone to take my purse?

  I didn’t want to believe any of this. But I didn’t want to be stupid either.

  Chase’s gaze caught mine. As if he could read my mind, he said, “You know Drew could be involved.”

  I nodded, wishing my head would stop spinning.

  “What are you going to do about it?”

  Was he asking me if I was going to continue to date Drew?

  I squirmed. “I don’t know, Chase.”

  “I don’t want to see you get hurt.” His voice sounded grim and serious, perfectly matching his gaze.

  Was he talking about getting killed or Drew breaking my heart? I had no idea.

  “Just tread with caution, okay?” Chase said.

  “I will.” Melancholy laced my words. “And Chase? What does all this mean for
Blake? Will you continue to look for her?”

  “Absolutely. It’s just that right now, we don’t know what side of the law she’s on concerning this.”

  “I understand.”

  When I left ten minutes later, I knew exactly what I needed to do. I needed to keep my date with Drew. And I needed to find out all the information I could.

  When Chase had looked away from the computer earlier, I’d taken a photo of the screen using my phone. I wanted a copy of information that was important enough that two people had died. Yet I felt guilty again obtaining it this way. I shouldn’t have done it, yet I needed that information if I was going to figure this out. My life was on the line here as well. I had a stake in this.

  I wondered if Drew knew what these numbers might mean. I had to be wise with my next moves so I wouldn’t get myself killed.

  But I really wanted to ask him. I was going to have to trust my gut and play this by ear.

  And why hadn’t the Texter texted me lately? Had he given up? Had he moved on?

  Would I be that lucky?

  Drew called me as I drove home, told me he was running late, and asked if I could meet him at the funeral home instead of Bertie’s.

  Alicia met me at the door. “Mr. Williams is waiting for you in the back. I was just getting ready to leave, but he asked me to let you in.”

  “Sorry to keep you here late on a Friday night.”

  She shrugged. “It’s no problem. I don’t have any big plans anyway.”

  I stepped out of the brisk weather. A thunderstorm was blowing in, and it felt like it would be a doozy.

  “This way,” Alicia said, indicating with her hand that I should follow.

  “So, how’d you stumble into this business?” I asked as we strolled beside each other.

  “I used to date Drew’s brother, believe it or not.”

  Raul? I couldn’t see him being warm and caring enough to date anyone. “And it’s not awkward to work here?”

  “His family is pretty great. They still accept me, even if I’m not directly connected.”

  “I see.”

  “And my father used to be a mortician, so I kind of know the ins and the outs of this business.”

  Alicia didn’t seem as perky right now—her steps were slow, her words sounded dull.

  As we stepped into the hallway, I paused. “Is everything okay?”

  She offered a smile, but it looked forced. “It’s just been one of those days.”

  “I’d guess that this job can wear on you.”

  She nodded but looked unconvinced still.

  “And then with everything that’s happened lately . . . with Travis and Chuck. That only adds to your stress,” I prodded.

  “Absolutely.” She released a quick breath. “Holly, can I tell you something?”

  “Of course.”

  “I shouldn’t dump this on you. But you seem so nice. And I can’t tell anyone here. I don’t know whom to talk to.”

  “What’s going on, Alicia?”

  She glanced around, as if to make sure no one was listening, before whispering, “Someone at Wilford has a PO box.”

  I wasn’t quite understanding where she was going with this. “Okay . . .”

  “I wasn’t supposed to know,” she continued. “But when I was coming to unlock the door for you, I found this envelope on the floor with the PO box address on it. I have no idea who dropped it.”

  “Did you open it?”

  She bit down before shaking her head. “It was just the envelope. Nothing was inside.”

  “You have no idea who it came from?”

  She shook her head. “No idea. But there’s no reason for someone here to have a PO box, Holly. Unless they’re hiding something. Maybe something . . . illegal.”

  My back muscles pinched with tension at her implications. “Who would do that? Why?”

  “I have no idea. It makes me wonder if someone is profiting off the operations at the home.”

  Her words caused my breath to catch. Could this be another clue? Were these crimes based around the funeral home? “Do you have any idea what kind of operations that might be?”

  She shrugged and stepped closer. “I’m not sure what’s going on, Holly. But I’m scared.”

  “You think your life is in danger?”

  “I wasn’t supposed to know about the PO box. I handle a lot of the bookkeeping around here. I’m the one person who has the knowledge of day-to-day operations here. I’m the person who could easily bring all of this crashing down.”

  “That makes sense.”

  “There have been a lot of whispered conversations around here lately. I guess they’re what put the idea in my head that something isn’t right.”

  “Whispered conversations between whom?” I asked.

  “Raul and Drew.”

  To say I had reservations about being here would be an understatement. Alicia led me toward the back, to an area of the funeral home that I’d never seen. I tried to make small talk, even though my mind was racing.

  Alicia paused outside a room in the back. “It can be a little jarring the first time,” she warned.

  I could only imagine. “Thanks for the heads up.”

  “Good luck.” She pushed the door open and announced my arrival. “And please don’t tell anyone what I told you.”

  I sucked in a deep breath—totally second-guessing myself—but then stepped inside the sterile room anyway. I blanched when I saw the dead body, partially covered with a sheet. I had a feeling that sheet had been put there for me and no other reason.

  “Holly,” Drew said.

  He wore something that reminded me of doctor’s scrubs. It was a very different look than what I was used to, and it temporarily threw me off-balance.

  “Thanks for letting Holly in, Alicia,” he called over his shoulder.

  “No problem.” Alicia threw me a sympathetic smile before she stepped out.

  I glanced around at the cement walls. A huge metallic box was center right in the room. Everything appeared so sterile and almost like a hospital room. It kind of gave me the creeps.

  “This is too much for you, isn’t it?” Drew asked, looking away from the paper in his hands.

  It was, but I didn’t tell him that. “No, I’m . . . good.”

  He grinned. “You can tell the truth.”

  “This is kind of creepy.” Right on cue, thunder rumbled overhead.

  “That’s a normal reaction, I assure you.” He raised his paper. “I’m just finishing up. I’m sorry that you had to meet me here. Maybe I should have canceled, but I was really looking forward to seeing you.”

  “It’s good to see you also.” Unless you’re a killer.

  I shivered at the thought. I didn’t want to believe it.

  “So, you have to prep a body before a cremation?” I started, trying to turn my thoughts away from the morbidness of murder. Talking about death wasn’t much better. But maybe I would get some insight into Travis or Chuck.

  “That’s right. I have to make sure there are no pacemakers or anything that could pop in the crematory and create dangerous conditions.”

  “How long does that process take?” I asked, unsure if I really wanted to know.

  “Usually about three hours. Then you have to let the remains cool. After a magnet is used to take away any metal screws from the coffin. The remains also have to be put through a cremator.”

  “What’s that?”

  “It’s a processor that will grind the bones up into an even finer consistency so we can give the ashes to loved ones.”

  “I see.” I swallowed hard.

  “This man, once 230 pounds, will be reduced to about five pounds.” He paused. “Is this too much for you?”

  “No . . . well, maybe. I’m still not sure.”

  He offered a lopsided grin. “You’ve made it further than most people.”

  “I’ll be sure to bring that up next time I run out of things to talk about with my family.”
r />   He chuckled. “You’re funny.”

  I drew in a deep breath, hoping we could get out of here soon.

  “Any updates on the investigation?” Drew asked, sliding the body back into a refrigerated holding area.

  I told him a little bit about Blake and what I’d discovered today. I wasn’t sure if I’d tell him about the jump drive. Probably not. But maybe.

  I wanted to trust him. I really did.

  “How about you?” I asked. “Did you hear anything more about Travis or Chuck?”

  “No, I haven’t. But I’ve had reporters calling. This isn’t what we need here.”

  Because reputation was important to him. Important enough that he would try to silence anyone who tarnished his shine? I didn’t know.

  “I still can’t believe the lengths Travis was going through, though,” Drew said. “Stealing jewelry from dead people? I’m ashamed for him, and I’m grieving for the families who’ve had only more heartache during such difficult times.”

  “Are you still using the same company? Dillow’s?”

  His cheek twitched. The action was so small that I almost missed it. “I am.”

  “But . . .” I started, wondering what he was thinking.

  He looked up at me, surprise in his eyes. “But what?”

  “You look unconvinced that you made a good choice.”

  He crossed his arms. “You read that on me?”

  “I did. Am I right?”

  “I suppose I’m a bit gun-shy. Too many screw-ups like this could greatly damage the reputation of my family’s business. My grandfather worked so hard for this. I don’t want to be the one who ruins it.”

  That seemed like an honorable reason. But all my doubts tried to crowd my logic.

  Drew stepped closer. “You’re a good listener, Holly.”

  “I try.” The look in his eyes showed admiration and attraction. That was when a terrible thought hit me. Please don’t try to kiss me in a crematory. I’ll never get over it. I won’t.

  “It’s late, isn’t it?” He looked away as if he could read my thoughts.

  I nodded. “I suppose it is.”

  “Let me get cleaned up, and then we can grab a bite to eat. Okay?”