Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
After Officer Johnson finished with her line of questions, Ian had extended a hand as part of his goodbye, but she’d pointedly ignored it. “I’ll be waiting for the news that your sister has returned home.” Officer Johnson’s tone indicated she was going to be keeping an eye on the situation.
Ian nodded. “Courtney will let you know. Thank you for stopping by, Officer. Sorry for wasting your time.”
After she’d left the room and was out of earshot, Kristy said, “I can’t believe Courtney got the police involved in a family matter.”
“I’m not surprised.” Ian pushed up his glasses. “Courtney is under the impression she is family—a notion I’m going to be dispelling very soon. After Dana gets back, we’re going to be giving Miss Hart notice and hiring a more suitable assistant. One who knows the boundaries of the position.” He’d prefer the new assistant live elsewhere as well. The apartment above the garage was too close, as far as he was concerned. It was unnerving to have so many people coming and going in the house. Besides, he’d love to use it as his own personal man cave.
Kristy sank back on the couch. “And if Dana doesn’t come back?”
“Then we’ll have other issues that have to be taken care of concerning the business. Paperwork, mostly. Nothing I can’t handle.” Left unsaid was that if Dana didn’t come back, it was because she no longer existed in this world. He didn’t want her dead, but truthfully, he wouldn’t miss her.
“How did he know you keep a hundred thousand dollars in your office?” She tilted her head to look at him expectantly. “Did you tell anyone?”
“Only you.”
“Does anyone have access to your desk drawer?”
Ian shook his head. “I keep the key on me at all times.”
“So why did they ask for that specific amount?”
“Because Rebecca Cavanaugh keeps that much on hand. People are always confusing the books with Dana’s real life, probably because she perpetuates that idea.”
“You’re not giving up the money, though?”
“Not a penny.”
“Good.” Kristy tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled.
Yes, it looked like his sister had currently found herself in a bad predicament, but it was hard to feel sorry for Dana. Ian thought of himself as a compassionate man, but the emotion ended where Dana began. She’d been both his sister and his childhood bully, and as an adult, she never missed an opportunity to remind him he was standing on her shoulders. He’d tried to break free of their established childhood roles, but Dana had him emotionally shackled.
Stuck.
If she’d truly been abducted, it was her own fault, because she made herself a target with her expensive jewelry, designer clothes, and endless international trips. Her socials were filled with the images of an extravagant life. Having money didn’t mean rubbing other people’s faces in it.
He continued, “No matter what happens to Dana, we’ll be fine, so there’s nothing to worry about.”