Chapter 24
I’d woken up early—heck, I’d hardly slept if I was telling the truth. Despite it being five in the morning, I called my uncle’s assistant Mr. Stone, who’d become my right hand after my uncle’s death, and gave him the bare bones of the situation. Before eight, Mr. Goulding was sitting around a table in the library with me, Mary, and Mr. Stone. Thankfully, it didn’t matter whether it was Sunday or not. Both men were loyal to my grandfather and willing to treat me as they did him.
Over coffee, Mary and I told Mr. Goulding what we had reason to believe while he took notes. Once we’d finished, he sat back and twirled his pen in his fingers while he stared at the notepad. “I think we need to be the ones who bring in law enforcement. If we let this sit, then you’ll look guilty of whatever your father intends—if not directly, then by association since you now have some clue of his crimes.”
I nodded. “I had a lot of time to think this over last night, and I agree. All of my financials as well as those of Novel Books and Buttercream Beanery will be available for investigation. I’ve nothing to hide.” Mary grabbed my hand, squeezing it with a death grip. I winced. The bones would break soon if she didn’t let up.
“I’ll contact our accountants and let them know what’s coming,” said Stone.
I let out a breath. “Thank you.”
Mr. Goulding glanced around at each of us. “Why don’t you get some breakfast while I call the FBI?”
“The FBI?” said Mary in a squeak.
He leaned forward and rested his arms on the table. “You mentioned a large sum of money earlier. Cases where a substantial sum is involved typically fall under their jurisdiction. If it doesn’t, I’m sure they’ll put us in touch with whomever we require to resolve this matter. We may not be able to meet with them until tomorrow, but I’d rather get the ball rolling now.”
As soon as the attorney stepped into the foyer, I covered my face with my hands, dropped my head back, and groaned. “I can’t eat. I’m sure it’ll come right back up.”
“You managed coffee,” said Mr. Stone.
“And it’s sitting in my throat.”
He dipped his chin, looking at me over his glasses. “You need to relax. You’ve done nothing wrong. I know that, and the management of Novel Books knows that, as does everyone at the café.”
“That doesn’t mean my father hasn’t succeeded in making me appear a criminal.”
I stood up and paced for what seemed like an hour before Mr. Goulding finally returned. He held his cell phone in his hand. “I was put through to the agent in charge of investigating Longbourn Investments. An anonymous tip a few weeks ago made them look into transactions your father’s been making. They’d rather keep whatever is going on with the case quiet for now, so they’re coming here with a couple of agents to talk to you.”
“I’ll have Mrs. Hill make a pot of coffee. Would it be tacky to get a box of pastries from the bakery? I don’t want it to look like I’m bribing them.”
Mr. Goulding smiled as he set his phone down. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about. You’re inviting them here to give evidence. If it takes all morning, I’m sure they’ll be thankful that you considered feeding them at all. I doubt everyone thinks to do it.”
Stone stood. “If we have three agents coming and there are four of us, then what do you want me to bring?”
I crossed my arms over my chest, hugging myself. “A half dozen bagels and a selection of doughnuts, cinnamon rolls, and a few of Char’s individual quiches. Have Mia ring it up. I’ll get you a card.” I occasionally gave out coffee or baked goods for promotional purposes or as complimentary while people ordered cakes and so on, but this was different.
As I hurried up the stairs, my phone buzzed in my pocket. When I pulled it out, I paused to see what was on the screen.
“ I missed waking up with you in my arms. Even though I understand why you believe this to be necessary, it doesn’t mean that I don’t hate it. I love you. There. I said it. I debated all night whether I should tell you by text, but there it is. Please call me when you have a chance. I want to say it so you can hear it and believe that no matter what happens, I’m here for you. ”
I squeezed my eyes closed and covered my face. I wouldn’t cry! I wouldn’t cry! I hated this! Why did my parents always try to fuck up everything? Whenever I picked out my school schedule in high school, they’d call in and have it changed. College was the first time I had any autonomy, yet I still remembered those times when I was little and my parents still seemed “normal.” Mary never had that time with them, which is why I’m sure it was easier for her to tell them to shove their plans up their asses.
“Lizzy.” A hand landed on my shoulder.
I was crying when I dropped my hands and looked at Mary. “Can you get my card? It’s in my purse on my dresser, and please let Mrs. Hill know about the coffee. I want to lie down for a bit.”
“I’m worried about you.”
“I’ll be fine. I’m just tired, and the timing of this sucks.”
Mary held my hand while we walked to my bedroom. After she grabbed my card, she ran it downstairs while I curled into a fetal position on the bed. I just needed a quick cry, and I’d be ready to face whatever was coming next.
“Lizzy?”
I dragged my eyes open to Mrs. Hill standing over me, then shot straight up in bed, sending Atticus bolting from his perch on my hip. “Shit! What time is it?”
“It’s ten o’clock, dearie. Mr. Goulding told me to let you sleep a while when the agents showed up at the door. From what little I’ve gleaned while bringing in coffee and cleaning up, they’ve presented what evidence they have to him and Mary has talked about what she knows. Since most of what you know is from Mary, they let you sleep while they didn’t need you.”
After I stood, I went to the bathroom and checked my appearance in the mirror while I washed my hands. It was obvious I’d been crying, which must’ve been why it felt like my eyes had sand in them. They were red-rimmed with dark circles underneath. God, I’d just woken up and I was tired! How was that possible?
I splashed water on my face and returned to Mrs. Hill waiting on me. “You should’ve come and gotten me when they arrived.”
“What good would that’ve done? They didn’t need you. It was better to let you sleep.”
As much as I had the urge to argue, Mrs. Hill was being the mother I’d always needed, so I didn’t bother. She’d never concede that I was right anyway.
When I entered the library, two men and a woman, all in dark suits, sat at the table with Mr. Goulding, Mr. Stone, and Mary.
“Good morning. I apologize for not being downstairs when you arrived.”
The female agent stood. “Please don’t worry about it. I’m Special Agent Forster, the lead agent on the Longbourn Financial case. These are Special Agents Pratt and Carter.” Both men nodded.
“It’s nice to meet you all,” I said. It sounded odd, but what else was I supposed to say?
Mr. Goulding stood and slid a legal pad across the table. “Before we say anything, Lizzy, I want you to sign this piece of paper.”
I frowned, stepped forward, picked up the pen, and signed as I had on all legal documents since I’d inherited Zio’s estate, “Elizabeth Rose Bennet.”
Special Agent Forster pointed at the paper. “May I take a closer look?”
I passed the pad over, and she held what appeared to be a document to it. “There are similarities, but I agree; the others are not Miss Bennet’s signature.”
After a scan of the people at the table, I set down the pen. “I don’t understand.”
Mr. Goulding nodded. “I apologize, Miss Bennet, but I wanted you to sign that without seeing or hearing anything we’d discussed before you entered the room.”
Special Agent Forster fanned some papers in front of her that looked like bad photocopies of documents. “Your sister Mary provided us with audio recordings and pictures she took while still living in your parents’ home. The documents in your father’s possession are signed with your name, but they’re not your signature. There are obvious variations.”
I immediately whirled around to Mary. “You recorded Dad and took pictures in his office? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I didn’t want you freaking out.”
“Dad would’ve killed you if he found you there.” He’d slapped me once for being in his study. I was looking for a stapler for a school project. I’d had to stay home the day after because of the red handprint still on my cheek.
Mary shrugged. “I wasn’t stupid about it. I waited until he left for work and Mom went to the salon, then I crept into the office. Somehow, he’d missed that the safe hadn’t clicked shut, so I was able to find more than I’d planned. I was late for school, but it was worth it.”
I flinched. “I completely forgot about school. We’ll have to update your records.”
“Friday was our last day before the holiday. That can all be done after the break. It’s not like we need to rush.”
“And I can drive her if you’re worried about her safety,” said Mr. Stone.
My legs relaxed and I sagged into the chair behind me. “Is there a way to know when this nightmare will be over?”
Special Agent Forster sat as did the other two agents. “We’ll keep you informed through your attorney as we know anything. Unfortunately, it’s up to the prosecutor, who will ultimately decide who and what charges to pursue. We just present our evidence.”
The agents asked me a series of questions that I answered without any hesitation. Mr. Goulding chimed in when he was required, but the morning was uneventful—if you didn’t take into consideration I was answering questions from the FBI.
Eventually, Special Agent Forster stood. “I believe we have what we need for now. As I said earlier, we’ll be in contact with Mr. Goulding if we require anything further. Thank you for the bagels and pastries. All three of us had just walked into the office when your attorney called. None of us had much time for coffee or to grab a bite before we left.”
The other two agents nodded in agreement.
I frowned. “I didn’t realize agents worked on Sundays.”
One of the other agents lifted a shoulder. “Only when it’s necessary.”
Only when it’s necessary? Did that mean my father’s case had a high priority or was I reading more into it than was truly there?
“Did you need Miss Bennet’s financial records?” asked Mr. Stone. “I can give you a flash drive with the accounts of both businesses as well as her personal accounts.”
Special Agent Forster nodded. “Yes, and we appreciate your willingness to provide those.”
I stood long enough to shake the hands of the agents before Mr. Stone escorted them to the accounting offices. The moment they left the room, I sank back into the chair and scrubbed my face with my hands.
“Lizzy?”
When I turned my head to face Mary, I rubbed my forehead. “I’m stressed is all. I’ll be okay. Do you need anything? If you forgot your brush or facial cleanser or whatever, Mrs. Hill can send out for some. Just let her know what it is. I’d go to the store with you, but I’m not in the mood.”
Mary stood and kissed me on the top of the head. “I’m good. Don’t worry about me.”
Mr. Goulding patted my shoulder. “Your uncle would be proud of you. He griped to me often about your parents when we were preparing his estate. He wouldn’t want you to take the fall for what they’ve done.”
As soon as he left, I sat in Zio’s favorite chair in the library and watched the snow fall on the city as the light changed from morning to afternoon.
“You need to eat,” said Mrs. Hill.
I startled. Had I been asleep? If I was, it was one of those waking dozes where you never realize you were sleeping. If that makes any sense at all.
“I’m not hungry.”
She tsked and shook her head as she left. I stood and poured myself a glass of whiskey. Yes, I was likely going to regret this in the morning, but I didn’t care right at this moment.
With my glass in hand, I grabbed a blanket and sat back in Zio’s chair.
“Liz?”
I blinked when Will stepped forward and knelt before me. “You aren’t supposed to be here.”
“I took a taxi and wore a baseball cap and sunglasses. I never dress this casual; no one would recognize me.”
He stood, put on the hat and glasses, and held out his arms. “What do you think?”
His baggy jeans hung low on his hips, and he wore a white t-shirt with a plaid flannel over it. He kind of looked like a skater punk. “It isn’t your usual look.”
“I left out the backdoor to my building and caught the taxi two blocks down. I paid with cash.” He squatted back down and slipped his hands under the blanket to rub my thighs. “I missed you and wanted to see you.”
I pulled off his hat and tossed it over the chair. “I missed you too.”
As the first tear hit my cheek, he took the glass from my hand and set it on the table. “You’re exhausted. Let’s get you to bed.”
His hands slipped under me, and he lifted me into his strong arms. I was dreaming, but it didn’t matter. What I wanted more than anything was Will with me—holding me. If this was the only way I could have it, I’d stay in Zio’s chair all night long.