Chances (Mystic Nights #1)(42)

Peter interrupted. “I thought you said we had until Wednesday.” Peter was pissed. He was also starting to panic. And he never panicked. He just got even.

“That was what Jonathan told me. But I did get another million out today before the wifi went down. I’m going to try to slip by the goons and break out of here. Peter, you are on your own buddy. Hopefully, I’ll see you in Nassau,” he lied. “This cancer treatment is expensive, and this was my only shot. I’m going to enjoy what time I have left. I strongly suggest you do the same.”

“Fuck it all to hell,” Peter cursed. He needed to get away too. This was not what he wanted at all. But he needed a little security. “Okay,” he stated. “I’ll meet you at your place. We can head out together. How long before you think you can slip away?”

“Give me about thirty minutes,” Simon whispered into the phone before he hung up.

Peter threw his cell phone on the seat beside him, and looked into his rear view mirror. No one was following him. The road was completely empty. He stopped and made a u-turn. He would take care of Simon first and then he would pay Miss Aliya Chance a little visit. She would be his security. It was her after all, who probably put the bug in Jonathan’s ear about his connection to Simon. She would have to pay. He wasn’t giving up yet. Damn the women of this reservation. All of them. Power hungry, independent, and just too damned much of a nuisance for his liking. Yes, Aliya would be his security, and then she would pay. But first. Simon.

*

One hour later he stepped on the gas to get his car moving. He also reached forward and flipped open his glove box. His gun was there. A small beretta, but it would do. It was loaded. He hurried. He might be running out of time. His destination, the marina.





Chapter 18




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By late afternoon, the three accountants that had already arrived were reporting all kinds of discrepancies. They found several more instances of price inflation, and then the extra funds were funneled out wirelessly via computers coming from Simon’s office. They found outrageous surcharges, and calls to their vendors revealed those surcharges were either inaccurate or completely bogus. Several of the stores in the casino had reported large numbers of theft and loss items and calls downstairs revealed those reports had not come from them. The booking agents had discounts applied to room fares that were never given, and that money was pilfered, transferred to the accounting department. The only department they had not found problems in were the bars. Another department that Eve was in charge of. “I helped her with the books,” Dawn admitted.

Jonathan was proud of his sister and ashamed he had not come to her sooner. He saw her with new eyes, and regretted his choices in not giving her more credit. Yes, he knew she was smart, always had known that, but because of her childhood ailments, they had always babied her. “When you finish your degree, I’m definitely recommending to the board you be hired right away to head accounting.” Dawn blushed under the praise.

Jonathan nodded in Tom’s direction. “I think it’s time we get Simon and bring in Peter.” Tom nodded and left the conference room adjusting the mic in his ear as he left.

*

Thirty minutes later, Tom came rushing into the conference room. “We can’t find them. Simon was in his office, and I had men outside. I don’t know how he slipped by them. And Peter isn’t home, or at the tribal office.”

“Find Aliya.” Jonathan did not want them all to get away. “And bring in the authorities. Now.” Once more Tom was quickly dispatched, but on his heels was Glenna, his secretary, she had Brie with her. He knew Brie was one of the dancers and friends with Aliya. He saw the look of consternation on her face. And fear. “Aliya did not show up for practice.” She gazed around the room at Joseph, Dawn, and the other accountants. She saw the anger in her boss’s eyes.

She quickly added, “I left several messages, but now when I call it just keeps going to voicemail, I thought you might know where she is.” Her dark eyes searched furtively about. She did not see the expected confusion or fear in anyone’s eyes. She thought the boss and her friend had been growing closer.

“Just f*cking figures,” Jonathan groaned. Another expletive slipped out.

“What’s going on?” Brie asked clearly confused, and now getting angry for her friend. Aliya had confided in her about her relationship with Jonathan, how it had been progressing smoothly. How she was falling in love, and her fears of possibly being pregnant derailing it.

“You tell me,” Jonathan spoke gruffly. “She’s your friend.”

The calculated way he said that got under her skin. And even though he was her boss, her hackles had been raised. “Yes, she is. And I don’t understand why you sound so angry. Just yesterday, Aliya told me she was in love with you. Has something happened?”

Jonathan snorted and looked away in disgust. Brie felt fear for her friend. She let out a soft cry of pity for Aliya. Dawn came closer, and gave her a sympathetic touch. Brie turned to face her. “What’s going on, Dawn? Is Aliya in some kind of trouble?” Fear for her friend made her not balk, not back down.

Dawn looked to her brothers and at Jonathan’s shrug she told Brie. “We think Aliya has been working with Peter and some others to embezzle money from the casino.”

“No way!” Brie was shaking her head vehemently. “She would never do anything like that. She loves Jonathan.” Jonathan’s head whipped her way, and he turned to face her as she rushed out of Dawn’s grasp. Grabbing Jonathan’s jacket, she begged him. “Jonathan, you can’t believe this. She hates Peter. He makes her nervous. She’s told me that. She would never work with him, and she would never steal. Don’t you know her by now? Don’t you know what’s in her heart? For God sakes, she might be pregnant with your child. She has not had a relationship in forever. She trusts you. And you don’t trust her?” she questioned looking past him to the others in the room. Someone had to believe her. Her friend must be in some kind of trouble. She never missed practice. Dawn gasped.