The Trouble With Murder by Catherine Nelson

conveyed his annoyance.
    “Paige,” I said on a sigh. I should
have known.
    “Berry Paige has officially been
suspended. My attorneys tell me I can’t fire him. Not at this point, anyway.
Either way, he’s finished at White Real Estate. But the damage has been done.
The case he laid out for the police seems pretty black and white. You are the
one and only suspect. And they’re moving on it pretty quickly.”
    “And why wouldn’t they, when
everything came gift wrapped and tied up with bows?”
    “I’ve been trying to focus on
problems I can deal with,” White went on. “I have an independent accounting
firm reviewing my books. As soon as Paige showed me those documents, that was
the first call I made. I want to know where that money came from and where it
went. They should have information for me soon.
    “Meanwhile, I have a business to
run. I can’t close the Fort Collins office while this is sorted out, so I need someone
to take Paige’s position. I’m also opening a Weld County office in Greeley next
month. I’m going to need someone to run it.”
    Translation: I’m offering you either
job; take your pick.
    “Why don’t you have Spinulli take
over for Paige?”
    Frank Spinulli is Paige’s
equivalent in the Loveland division of White Real Estate and Property
Management. He’s better than Paige and might one day be as good as me.
    “Eventually I will fold the
Loveland and Fort Collins divisions into one,” White said. “But that isn’t a
strategic move right now. Growth from the Fort Collins office has been less
than ideal, far less than projected. I need someone who can make up for lost
ground and gain more still. You’re that someone.”
    “Is promoting me right now a good
idea?” It would be hard to manage the office from jail, which was where the police
seemed to want me.
    “I think it will be good to see the
company is backing you. I told the police more than once today I know you
didn’t take the money.” He gave me an apologetic look. “Unfortunately, it’s
going to take more than my word to convince them. Plus, I need you. What’s it
going to take, Zoe? I don’t mind telling you I’m in a tight spot here; I’m
willing to make a deal.”
    I’d been considering a vacation
anyway. And I don’t mind admitting, after the last couple days, some time off
held its appeal. I’m normally one to plow ahead, but I decided to take
advantage of the opportunity. White was willing to deal; he’d give me what I
asked for, even if it wasn’t what he wanted.
    “I’d like to think about it,” I
said.
    He was nodding as if this was good
news.
    “Absolutely. Take all the time you
need.”
    “I’d like two weeks off. I’ve got
some things I need to sort out.”
    He didn’t like this request, but he
granted it. Apparently “take all the time you need” didn’t mean two weeks.
    “Fine. I’ll have Henry Davis step
in for the interim for Paige, then we’ll make more permanent arrangements in
two weeks.”
    “Davis is an all right guy,” I said
reassuringly. “He’s learning quickly, and he has some good ideas.”
    “I know. He’s a serious candidate
for the Greeley office, assuming I don’t get my first choice.”
    I stood. “Will you let me know what
your accountants find?”
    White stood with me, then moved
around the desk. He pulled a card from his pocket. “Of course. You’ll be my
first call. I asked my attorneys to represent you, but they tell me it’s some
kind of conflict of interest in this case. They gave me this guy’s name;
apparently he’s one of the best. Call him. I’ll pay for it.”
    I accepted the card, slipped it
into my pocket, and tried for my most positive, confident smile. “Thank you,
but I’m sure it isn’t necessary. I’ve done nothing wrong.”
    “Better not to take any chances.”
    I left the office and returned to
the Cushman. I was stopped by the first light. My head was busy with a hundred
thoughts, most of them slanted by my own problems,