Strangers in Their Midst

by Patricia H. Rushford

  She’d have given anything to know what they were up to...and how they were connected. Kate pulled into the parking lot and watched the men. A few minutes later, one man moved out of her vision and the other began vacuuming the floor.

  The janitor? Kate remembered Charlie’s comment. The janitor had easy access to the rooms. One of the lighted elevators began its descent. Jake Saunders came out of the building moments later and headed for his Escalade.

  Kate debated whether to stay and confront him or put the Honda in gear and take off. When Jake spotted her and waved, she decided to stay. She’d been wanting to talk with him, just not at night in the middle of a deserted parking lot.

  She rolled down her window as he approached. “Hi, Jake. I thought that might be your SUV.”

  He didn’t look happy. Jake placed his hands on the window ledge and leaned down. “What are you doing out here, Kate?”

  “Actually, I was on my way to the hospital to see Claire Gardner, Charlie’s grandmother.”

  He frowned. “Claire, the countess?”

  “So you know her?” Kate realized he probably would, with Charlie having been an employee.

  “Of course.”

  Kate told him about Claire’s accident.

  He hesitated. “I think we need to talk. Do you mind if I ride to the hospital with you?”

  Before she could answer, he hurried to the passenger’s side and climbed in.

  Kate took a deep breath. His bulk should have felt intimidating in her small car, but oddly it didn’t. Kate used the opportunity to question him. “You slipped a threatening note into my handbag at the diner. Why?”

  He smiled. “I might have known you’d figure it out. Your reputation precedes you.”

  “It wasn’t that hard. You signed the check for the window.”

  “Ahh.” He sighed. “I was trying to scare you off the case. We’re dealing with a dangerous criminal, Kate, and I don’t want you involved.”

  “I am involved.” Kate started the car and headed for the hospital. “So are you, apparently. Ned Castile is missing. Ava tells me you’re his best friend. I’m guessing you and Ava know where he is.”

  He shook his head. “How in the world did you come to that conclusion?”

  “Ava may be a model and an actress, but I could give her a few lessons on playing the grieving widow.”

  “I see.” He leaned back and stroked his chin.

  “How are you and Joe connected? Why was your SUV parked by the Bixby house the other night, and what did you mean when you told him to leave it alone?”

  He raised his eyebrows. “You are full of questions, aren’t you?” He sighed. “All right. I guess you deserve some answers. Joe is my brother-in-law.”

  “Oh.” Several pieces fell into place for Kate just then. “Then Helen is your wife and Rosie’s mother.”

  Jake nodded. “When Joe heard about the homeless being here, he snapped. My wife was badly injured by a couple of homeless guys several years ago.”

  “I know. Corey told me.” Kate frowned. “Okay, I understand how that could drive Joe to want to stop our program. He vandalized the Faith Freezer house on Wednesday night, but I saw your SUV parked there a couple nights before that. You didn’t have a part in that, did you?”

  “No. I was parked there because I intercepted them that night. Chad had called to tell me what his dad had planned. I talked him out of it. You must have seen me as I was getting ready to leave. I’m only sorry I couldn’t stop them Wednesday night.”

  “Me too.” Kate’s memory flashed back to what she’d seen at Valley Trust a few minutes before. “I saw Joe’s truck in the bank’s parking lot. Does he work there?”

  Jake nodded. “He’s working as a janitor. It’s a temporary job. He’s waiting to start working on my next project.”

  “You’re trying to find the real embezzler, aren’t you?” Kate asked.

  “Yes. As are the police. I’d like you to stay out of it, Kate. I meant what I said in that note. You could be in danger.”

  “Could Joe have stolen the funds?”

  “No.” Jake gave her an odd look.

  “How can you be so sure?” Kate didn’t see anything strange about her question.

  He chuckled. “The embezzlement was accomplished by someone with amazing computer abilities. Joe doesn’t even know how to turn one on.”

  Kate pulled into the hospital parking lot. “Okay, so who do you think did it?”

  Jake turned toward her. “Whatever you know or think you know about this case, I want you to forget it. Please don’t discuss Charlie or Valley Trust with anyone. I promise I’ll keep you updated.”

  Kate sighed. “All right. Can you tell me if I’m right about Ned Castile?”

  “No.”

  As Kate and Jake entered the hospital, then took the elevator to the third floor, she thought about what Jake had said in response to her earlier questions. “If your wife was attacked by transients, why is Joe so angry...and you’re trying to help?”

  “I believe healing happens through forgiveness,” Jake replied, “not by holding a grudge. My wife loved caring for people, and I figure I honor her best when I do what she would have done.”

  The elevator doors dinged and opened. Kate walked out with Jake and took hold of his arm to stop him. “How is your wife?”

  His Adam’s apple rose and fell as he swallowed. “It’s a long story. Once this ordeal is over, I’ll invite you over to meet her.”

  Seeing the pain register in his eyes, Kate backed off. “I’d like that.”

  They entered Claire’s room, and Kate first hugged Ellen, then squeezed Claire’s hand.

  “Am I at the vicarage, dear?”

  “No, Claire, you’re in the hospital. You fell.”

  “Did I? I suppose that’s why my hand hurts like the dickens.”

  “You’re safe now.”

  Claire shifted her gaze to Jake. “Mr. Saunders. How nice of you to come.”

  “How are you, Countess?”

  Claire drew in a long breath. “I fractured my wrist, you know.”

  Before Jake could answer, Claire’s eyes closed. Her chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm.

  “They’ve been giving her pain medications.” Ellen looked from Kate to Jake. “She’s been drifting in and out.”

  “Sleep is good,” Jake said.

  They stayed for only a few minutes. Kate told Ellen about Paul’s visit to Chattanooga to see Charlie. Ellen seemed relieved.

  Looking up at Jake, she asked, “Have you learned anything new?”

  “No. Whoever took the money covered their tracks extremely well.”

  When they left, Ellen thanked them for coming. She didn’t seem at all surprised by Jake’s visit. Even before they left the room, she had settled down on the window seat and wrapped a blanket around her shoulders.

  ALEEDA HAD BREAKFAST READY by the time Kate awoke the following morning. The coffee, eggs, toast, and orange juice made Kate’s disposition even better. Paul had left a message saying he was lining up an attorney for Charlie and hoped they would be back in Copper Mill early the following day.

  Kate planned to return to the hospital later in the morning but wanted to review everything that had happened regarding Valley Trust. Yes, Jake had asked her to stop investigating, but it wouldn’t be that simple.

  Before tackling the mountain of papers and newspaper articles concerning the embezzlement case, Kate called the hospital to check on Claire.

  “The countess is doing well,” a nurse told her. “She’s entertaining us with stories of her past. Confused or not, the lady is delightful.”

  Kate smiled, thinking of Claire. “She really was a countess, you know.”

  “Seriously?”

  Kate chuckled. “Ask her to tell you the story about meeting her husband.”

  She’d just hung up when Paul called. “Katie, good to hear your voice. How’s our patient?”

  “Claire is feeling better this morning. Sh
e still seems confused, but I guess that’s to be expected.” Kate hesitated. “Where are you?”

  “I’m still at the jail in Chattanooga. I’ve posted bail for Charlie. We should be on our way home within the hour.”

  “You posted bail?” Kate was surprised.

  “Yes, I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to talk to you about it last night. Are you okay with my going to get him?”

  “Yes, it’s just that...” She rubbed her forehead. Of course it was okay. It’s just the kind of thing Paul would do.

  “Sorry, Katie, but I have to run. I’ll see you at home. Charlie and his attorney just came out.”

  Kate stared at the phone for a long moment before hanging up. She prayed that Charlie and Paul would be safe. Though she didn’t want to consider the ramifications of Charlie being out of jail and his family out of hiding, consider them she did. If Charlie and his family had to go into hiding for protection from the real embezzler, what would happen now that they were out in the open?

  Kate gathered up her papers and headed to the kitchen table, where she could organize and have plenty of room to spread out. With a fresh pad of paper to her right and the documents spread out in front of her, Kate wrote down her short list of suspects:

  Joe Brainerd, the janitor. Jake’s brother-in-law. Unstable. Jake says he couldn’t have done it, but he may have helped someone break in.

  Jake Saunders. Valley Trust board member. Only have his word that he and the police are trying to catch the real embezzler. He’s rich and doesn’t need the money, but maybe he got a “high” out of playing the game. Warned me away from investigating, which makes him look guilty.

  Ned Castile. Again, wealthy and no need for money. Knows Jake; maybe they’re working together?

  Valley Trust CFO, William Bennett. Worked at Valley Trust in Nashville before transferring to Pine Ridge a year ago. With the company for twenty years. He knows everything about the computer system. Charlie said his wife has been ill.

  Gerald Woods, Charlie’s boss. Spending more than he made, according to Charlie. Maybe he invested wisely—or maybe he dipped into the company funds.

  Sheila Madison. Didn’t get the raise she’d been promised. Has worked at the new Pine Ridge branch as long as Charlie. Before that, she worked at a bank in Dallas. Rosie thinks she’s two-faced. But what motive would Sheila have for embezzling funds, other than revenge? She’s engaged, seems happy, and not at all guilt ridden. Charlie is right; if Sheila wanted to go after someone, it probably wouldn’t be him.

  Rosie Saunders. Not the type of person who’d steal anything, but one never knows. Has to work and pay for college. Not many wealthy parents make their kids work that hard. Maybe Rosie resents it?

  Somehow Kate couldn’t quite make that puzzle piece fit.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Kate still hadn’t spoken to William Bennett or Gerald Woods, and although it was a Saturday, she thought she’d give it a try. When she had worked at an accounting firm in San Antonio, she had worked many Saturdays—and so had most of the executives.

  Kate called Valley Trust, but both extensions went to voice mail. She tried Sheila’s number, but that went to voice mail too, so she was surprised when Rosie answered the receptionist’s line.

  “Hi, Rosie! It’s Kate Hanlon. Is anyone there today?”

  Rosie laughed. “There’s a board meeting.”

  “Ahh.” Maybe she could drop in unexpectedly. “There at Valley Trust?”

  “No.”

  “Can you tell me? I’d really like to talk with Mr. Woods and Mr. Bennett.”

  Rosie sighed. “I can’t.”

  “For Charlie?”

  “Look, all I can tell you is that for longer private meetings, they like to meet in someone’s home.”

  Kate nodded. “Like yours?”

  “Please don’t ask me. Dad would not be happy.”

  Kate took her nonanswer as a yes. She thanked Rosie for her help and hung up, then she grabbed her handbag and rushed out the door to her car. Before backing out of the driveway, she pulled Jake’s business card and her cell phone out of her bag and punched in the number.

  A woman answered. “Saunders’ residence. May I help you?”

  “Is Mr. Saunders there?”

  “Yes, but he has a meeting in a few minutes and asked not to be disturbed.”

  “I know. I’m on my way there now. Can you give me directions?”

  “Of course.” The woman gave her excellent directions, and within a few minutes, Kate found herself on the road leading to Joe Brainerd’s place. She hadn’t paid much attention before, but the road split into a Y about halfway in. A second road veered off, and Kate followed it for about a quarter of a mile. If it hadn’t been for the Escalade parked in the driveway, Kate would have thought it was the wrong place. The house looked older, a plantation-style house with columns out front. Like the Castile house, it sat on a knoll, taking advantage of a spectacular view.

  Kate rang the bell, and an older, silver-haired woman wearing jeans and a T-shirt answered.

  “You must be the woman who called. Kate Hanlon, right?”

  Kate opened her mouth and closed it again. She must have told Jake she’d given out directions to a woman who wasn’t invited. Kate expected the woman to shut the door in her face, but she didn’t.

  “Come in. Welcome. I’m Liz Saunders, Jake’s mom.”

  “Nice to meet you.” Kate stepped inside and shook Liz’s hand.

  She laughed. “I feel as though I already know you.”

  Jake came up behind his mother. “I see you’ve found us, Kate.” He gave her a conspiratorial smile. To his mother, he said, “Now that our guest is here, we can get started.”

  Puzzled by the warm welcome, Kate accompanied Liz and her son through the house and into the backyard. The furnishings, Kate noticed, looked comfortable and well used.

  Outside, as she might have imagined, was a large pool and rattan lawn furniture. A long table, decorated with floral displays and laden with various fruits, vegetables, and entrées, sat off to one side. It looked like a catered affair.

  Kate’s gaze took in the guests. Ava Castile, Gerald Woods, William Bennett, and two men she didn’t know. Jake introduced her around. The two men were apparently well-known property owners and executives from Nashville.

  Ava greeted her with a hug. “Kate, so nice to see you again.”

  Jake handed her an iced tea. “Sweet okay?”

  She nodded and in hushed tones said, “You’ll have to forgive me. I’m a bit confused. Yesterday you told me to stop looking into the embezzlement.”

  “Yet here you are.” Jake smiled and gestured for her to sit on one of the rattan chairs.

  “We’ve talked it over and decided it might be best to work together. We can share information, and maybe with your gift for solving mysteries, we might get somewhere. Right now all we have are computer entries pointing to Charlie and a missing board member.”

  She looked around at the expectant faces. “Where is Sheila?”

  Gerald Woods leaned back and settled his right ankle on his left knee. “She’s leaving us.”

  “What?” Kate almost choked on her tea. “Why?”

  Woods offered her a wry smile. “She’s engaged to some guy who wants to take her away from all this. She’s leaving next week and plans to get married during a cruise to Europe.”

  “I knew she was engaged, but...I had no idea she was leaving the area.” Kate puzzled over the news. Why hadn’t Sheila said anything? She’d have to make it a point to talk with Sheila later.

  “Do you know Sheila?” Ava asked.

  “Not as well as I thought,” Kate mused. “Her mother and I are good friends.”

  Ava gave a slight nod. “Apparently she and Cal something dated off and on. She seemed ecstatic.”

  “I’m happy to hear that.”

  Liz suggested they go through the buffet table before getting down to business, and everyone rose at once. Kate could hard
ly believe that Jake and the others wanted her help and were willing to give her whatever information they had.

  Kate had just put a deviled egg in her mouth when her cell phone rang. When she saw it was Paul, she excused herself before answering.

  “Are you home already?”

  “No. I’m still on the road. Charlie and his attorney were behind me, and I haven’t seen them for a while. I’ve turned around and am heading back to see if they had car trouble. I thought this might be a good time to check in and tell you I’ll be later than I thought. Uh-oh. Looks like more than car trouble, Katie. There’s been an accident. Charlie’s car...I’ll call you back.”

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Her heart still hammering, Kate went back to the group. “That was Paul. My husband bailed Charlie out of jail this morning. They were on their way back. Charlie’s been in an accident.”

  Jake shook his head. “I was afraid something like this might happen.”

  “What do you mean?” Kate wished the world would stand still for a moment so she could catch up.

  “I asked Paul to make the trip to Chattanooga and gave him the money for bail and to retain an attorney. I didn’t think our embezzler would know he was out.”

  “So you don’t think it was as accident?”

  “I’d be surprised.” He blew out a long breath.

  That meant someone had been keeping close tabs on Charlie. “Did any of you besides Jake and Paul know that Charlie was being released from jail?”

  None of them claimed to.

  William Bennett said, “I hope you don’t think we had anything to do with it. It’s pretty hard to be in two places at once.”

  Kate agreed. “But you could have a partner.”

  “No one here knew, Kate,” Jake said. “Just Paul and me.”

  “Someone else had to know,” Kate said. “And there’s always the possibility it was an accident.”