Her Last Goodbye (Morgan Dane #2)(34)

“So we’ll go talk to Harold after we finish with Curtis MacDonald,” Lance said.

“I’d start with a routine inquiry with the manager,” Sharp suggested. “Show Chelsea’s picture around the shop. See if anyone remembers her and what kind of reactions you get. If or when you confront Harold, do it in private. We don’t need to be charged with harassment.”

“I’d hate to ruin a sexual predator’s day,” Lance said, disgusted.

“The law is the law,” Sharp answered in a firm tone.

“Yeah. Yeah. I know.” But being nice to a predator turned Lance’s stomach. Experts could dispute the recidivism rate of sexual offenders all they wanted. Lance would never be convinced any of them could be rehabilitated. He held a grudge against anyone who hurt women or children and he always would.

“Morgan, please make sure he behaves himself,” Sharp said.

She laughed. “I’m the one who broke someone’s nose yesterday.”

“Point taken. Just try and stay out of trouble for one entire day.” Sharp chuckled. “Lance, I’ll call your mom and put Harold Burns at the top of her list. Let’s see if she can dig up more details on him. I’ll head to Tim’s neighborhood and start knocking on doors. You kids be careful.”

Sharp ended the call.

Ten minutes later, Lance parked in front of Skyver and MacDonald. The accounting firm was located in a small business complex at the edge of town. They went inside, and Morgan gave their names to the receptionist.

Curtis emerged in a few seconds. At forty-five years of age, he looked younger than Lance expected. Something about the word “accountant” made him think of old men and dusty ledgers. But Curtis’s light-brown hair was streaked with blond, not silver, and he moved like an athlete.

After brief introductions, Curtis asked, “Has there been any news?”

Lance shook his head.

“Please, come into my office.” Frowning, Curtis ushered them down a short hallway. He gestured toward a credenza that held a pod-style coffeemaker. “Do you want coffee?”

Lance and Morgan declined and took the two upholstered chairs that faced Curtis’s modern desk.

Curtis went behind the desk, but instead of sitting, he faced a window that looked out onto a small green space. “I still can’t believe she’s missing.”

Morgan began, “When was the last time you spoke with Chelsea?”

Curtis faced them, his distress plain in his eyes. “Friday morning.”

“Was there anything unusual about the conversation?” Morgan asked.

“Definitely.” Curtis rolled the chair out and dropped into it. He picked up a paper clip and twirled it between his fingertips. But he didn’t seem nervous, more like a fidgety man with too much energy for a desk job. “She was upset about something she didn’t want to tell me over the phone. She was going to come into the office Monday, but obviously that didn’t happen.”

Lance leaned forward and rested his elbows on his thighs. “So you have no idea what she wanted to talk to you about?”

“No.” Curtis’s tanned brow furrowed. “She’d been trying to catch up with her clients, but she was having a rough time. I was prepared for her to come in on Monday and quit. I had a counteroffer prepared.”

“You didn’t want her to quit?” Morgan asked.

“No. She’s smart and reliable. I’ll admit that her extended maternity leave has put me in a bit of a bind. We have the year-end statements to prepare and tax season right on top of that.”

“Seems like it would be easier to replace her,” Lance said.

Curtis shook his head. “Turnover is expensive. I already know what I have in Chelsea. She’s good at her job. And seriously, I’d feel like a total jerk firing her over a problem with her baby. Her absence has been inconvenient, but it’s temporary. We’ll survive.”

“What has Chelsea been working on?”

“Nothing specific.” Curtis said. “Her clients have been spread out among a number of associates. I simply started copying Chelsea on all activity and correspondence so she could get back up to speed. We were both hoping she could start coming in part-time and do some work at home.”

Morgan crossed her legs. “Do you normally allow that sort of flexibility?”

Curtis shrugged. “This is the first time maternity leave has come up with anyone outside of administrative personnel. We’re not a big firm. But as I said before, turnover is expensive. It costs money to replace key staff. It disrupts client relations.”

“Is it possible Chelsea was upset about something else?” Morgan asked.

Curtis dropped the paper clip. It hit the desk with a soft thud. “Like what? She’s a good worker, but our relationship is professional. We’re friendly, but we’re not friends, if you know what I mean. I’m sure if she had a personal problem, she’d take it to a girlfriend.”

“What about problems with a client?” Lance asked.

Curtis lifted a shoulder. “Not that I know about.”

Lance couldn’t think of any further questions. “Do you mind if we talk to the rest of the staff?”

“Not at all.” Curtis stood. “Everyone here is really worried about Chelsea.”