Forgotten Sins (Sin Brothers, #1)(74)

“Where will I be?”

“Either in my office or in the waiting area if I’m meeting with a client.”

“Good.” His drawl deepened. “What happens if you disregard any of these rules?”

Enough of this crap. “Well, last time I followed my own path, I ended up stumbling over a dead body with a rabid jerk breaking down Sheetrock to get to me. So I’d rather not think about it.”

Shane’s long fingers caressed the side of her face. “Ah, Josie. That’s nothing compared to what you’ll face from me if you put yourself in danger again.”

She shivered with desire. From any other man the threat would be silly, but from Shane. Well now. Sexual. Damn if her panties didn’t moisten in response. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

He tugged her out of the driver’s side, keeping her tucked against his body through the lot and to the elevator. Once at her floor, he followed her to her office, dropping onto a guest chair. “Why don’t you hand me the Fuller Lab files?”

She couldn’t help but blanch as she slid into her seat. “I can’t give you those files right here in my office.” Did he want her to get fired or what? She’d agreed to help him find out what happened to his brother, and then he needed to leave her for good this time. “I mean, I shouldn’t even remove them from the office tonight and let you see them. The lab is a client and has a right to confidentiality.”

“I don’t give a shit.”

Exasperation had her grabbing a pencil too tightly. “I know. What if you’re wrong?” Her jaw firmed. “In the time you spent betraying me and spying on the lab, did you find anything off?”

His jaw snapped shut. “No, and I wasn’t betraying you.”

“Right.” She punched up her computer. “I’ll bring the files with me tonight, and you can take a look. But that’s as good as you’re going to get.”

Vicki poked her head in the office. “You have a full calendar today, boss.” She grinned. “Can you say quarterly tax time?’ ” Her gaze wandered across Shane’s impressive form before she looked back at Josie. “The officers of Hanson Industries are first, and they brought three boxes of receipts.” She wrinkled her nose. “They even want to write off a trip to a strip club.”

Josie sighed. “Oh, no. Not again.”

Shane nodded, stretching to his feet. “That’s my cue. I’ll be in the lobby. Keep in mind our discussion.”

Which one? Once again, her mind was filled with Shane Dean.

*

The potato soup Josie had eaten for lunch lumped in her stomach. She stretched her neck, awaiting yet another client. Talk about stressed out. Plus, the warning glare from her husband hadn’t eased any of her clients’ minds as he had dropped by her office several times, poking his scowling face in the doorway. She was going to kill him when this day was finished.

Daniel stalked by her doorway, halting suddenly to lean against her door frame. “Rough day?”

She was too tired to spar. “Yes.”

He nodded, his dark eyes serious. “I meant it about helping if you need help. Believe it or not, I do understand the concept of teamwork.” Amusement lifted his upper lip.

Josie grinned. “That’s good to know. Though I still want the promotion.”

He nodded, the grin widening. “Ditto. But either way, I’m here if you need help.”

“Thanks.” Maybe he wasn’t such a bad guy.

“Anytime.” He turned, whistling as he maneuvered back to his office.

Josie flipped back open the file folder for Hall’s Funeral Home. Something was just plain and simple bothering her about these accounts, and she couldn’t figure out what. The client had purchased several different types of coffins from different vendors, and the information was all misfiled.

She carefully cataloged them in the right place and then subtracted the costs from the operating budget. Days ago she’d meant to do so, but since she’d already thought she’d found the problem, she’d concentrated elsewhere. And of course, between finding bodies, being kidnapped, and trying to figure out her life… she’d been busy.

The number flashed on her calculator. There was a surplus of thirteen thousand dollars.

Exactly.

The exact amount that had been missing from Larson Corporation. Son of a bitch. She double-checked the figure, her mind spinning. Yep. Unlucky thirteen. Billy had been laundering money throughout several businesses. She hadn’t thought to compare the different accounts to each other. Excitement sped up her breath. She could solve this.

Vicki escorted a young woman inside. “Mrs. Ager from Agers Hardware is here.”

Josie took a deep breath, closing the file. She’d figure it out after the meeting.

She stood, a genuine smile sliding across her face. Hopefully Billy hadn’t stolen from Agers. But chances were looking good that he had. Should she tell her client or wait until she had it all figured out? She definitely had a duty to inform the client. Man, she was going to get the firm sued. “Madge. It’s good to see you.”

Madge grinned back, wiping her hands down dark jeans and taking a seat. “Thanks for seeing me. I’m not sure about taxes and whether or not we can write off the trip we took back East.” She’d pulled her dark hair back into a ponytail, and her face was free of makeup. Her husband, Sam, had inherited the family business along with his brother about two years ago. “You know we have to do everything just right since Sam’s brother is a prosecutor who owns half of the business.” Bloodshot brown eyes glanced at the walls. “Oh, I like your horse painting.”