Deception (Infidelity #3)(82)

I took a deep breath and stared down at Deloris Witt. Perhaps over the years I’d overestimated her abilities. In most things, most instances, she was unstoppable—Superwoman. If that were true, then this assignment, Chelsea Moore and Infidelity, had become her kryptonite.

“I keep hoping you’ll have it resolved.”

“It isn’t that easy,” Deloris said. “Chelsea’s doing what she’s supposed to do. She’s integrating into his life.”

The thought turned my stomach. “Have you spoken to her?”

“Yes, a couple of times. She understands that the plan didn’t go as we’d hoped.”

“No shit!” I huffed and walked the length of my downtown office, stopping just before the large windows and turning back around. “Is she… all right?”

“All employees are given a card, a number to call in case of mistreatment.”

My mind went to Charli, the day she thought she was an employee, the day I’d frightened her more than I realized. “All employees?”

“Yes,” Deloris replied.

“Did Karen Flores give a card to Charli?”

“She did. The first morning I met with Alex, I told her to call me, not Karen.”

I wanted to know. I needed to know. “Did she…?”

The sides of Deloris’s lips moved downward in a scowl. “Lennox, please don’t. I would have told you if she had. I don’t want to know why you’re even asking. The phone call is only supposed to be made if the employee feels that she is in danger with the client. I realize it was all a setup with Alex, but I’d like to think that I know you, and I’m getting to know Alex well enough to say she has never felt endangered in your presence. Tell me that’s the case.”

“It’s just that some of my…”

Her hand went up. “Too much information. No. Alex never called the number. I’ve given Chelsea the same option, to call me, if she’s unsure about calling her handler, a woman with Infidelity in California. Chelsea hasn’t called either number.”

I blew out a long breath as I sat behind my desk. “This is bad enough. If she ends up hurt in any way, Charli will be… I can’t even come up with a word. I believe irate is a vast understatement.”

“I wish I could say for certain that Chelsea is unharmed. I’ve only spoken with her — it’s too much of a risk to see her. I do know that it’s taken her a while to come to terms with the entire agreement.”

“Then why?” I asked. “I don’t understand. Tell her to call the number. Get out.”

“It’s not that simple. It comes down to dollars and cents—mostly dollars. Since signing with Infidelity, besides the ten thousand we gave her for agreeing to our plan in the first place, the one to be placed with Severus Davis, she’s earned twenty-five thousand from Infidelity. That’s thirty-five thousand dollars.”

“She’s Charli’s best friend. Surely the money isn’t that important.”

“Alex was out of Chelsea’s league. If they hadn’t been roommates, they probably never would have met. It just so happened that they hit it off, but yes, the money is that important. Chelsea attended Stanford for one year on scholarship. After that, she transferred to a state school. She’s the first person in her family to graduate from college. You met her sister?”

I nodded, remembering the hospital room in Palo Alto.

“She graduated high school over a year ago and has been working at a store in a local mall. Chelsea now has the money to send her to college. You can only imagine what Chelsea’s mother thinks of her daughter’s new income.”

Her mother. Strange, loud woman.

“But does Mrs. Moore know what Chelsea is doing for that income?”

“No,” Deloris replied. “No one can know. It’s the way it works. Spencer got her a job at Montague Corporation. It’s the perfect cover for why she’s in Savannah.”

“What about Edward’s family and friends?”

“As I said, she’s integrating. According to Chelsea, the most difficult part has been facing Alex’s mother. Apparently the two never hit it off. She said she’d always had the feeling Alex’s mother didn’t like her and since she showed up with Mr. Spencer, supposedly having had a secret affair for years behind Alex’s back, Mrs. Fitzgerald has been less than pleasant.”

“I can’t say as though I blame her.”

Deloris shrugged. “Chelsea is doing all she can to make this work. The last time we spoke she said she only has forty-nine and a half weeks to go. The young lady is a trouper. I don’t see this ending sooner than the length of the agreement. Not without further scandal and to be honest, Edward Spencer can’t afford more scandal. He’s been called in for questioning on Melissa Summer’s disappearance twice.”

“What about Melissa’s client?” I asked.

“He had an airtight alibi for the night she was assaulted. From everything I’ve seen and accessed, he isn’t a suspect in her disappearance.”

“Are there any other suspects?”

“No one who’s been questioned.”

I leaned back, pushing my chair to recline slightly. “What if they have reason to do more than suspect Spencer? What if they have enough to make a case?”