Page 63 of A Flower for Angus

“Okay kiddos,” Andrea finally addressed the kids after they had finished their chocolate pudding dessert. “I need you to play in the playroom for a while so we adults can talk. After that we’ll get your baths and pajamas on.”

The kids whined until Morgan scolded in his firm voice. “That’s enough complaining now, you heard your mother. Josh, you and Maddie go play for a while and no fighting or you’ll both end up in bed early.”

“Okay, Daddy,” Josh agreed and took his sister’s hand.

“Would anyone like some coffee?” Andrea asked as Poppy helped to clear away the dishes from the table.

“None for me,” Angus rumbled. “That’s a pre breakfast drink fer me while I’m in the office at Neamh. Water will be fine, thank ye.”

Poppy knew he accepted water because Andrea didn’t have any tea, which she thought was really sweet of him to take note and not request it. Here in Chicago, Poppy usually drank ice tea, not hot tea. Cultural differences.

Morgan started right in as soon as Andrea sat back down. “I’m not going to lie to you, Poppy, the FBI isn’t getting very far at the moment. I’m not on the case itself for obvious reasons, but Mike Docent is and he said everyone is coming to the same conclusions. With Sarah Solano’s testimony, it’s enough to cast suspicion on Adrian for murder, but not enough to actually prove he did it. Only that he had motive and opportunity.

“We did have one informant who gave a written statement that Adrian did owe a lot of money to bookies connected with the mob. But the bookies have legitimate markers to show money was lent and paid back freely and without force. On the surface, they are legitimate money lenders. And they all firmly deny there was any hit placed on Adrian. If one of them is lying, they are all sticking together. Undercover operatives say they don’t know anything either, so Mike says he tends to believe them.”

He frowned. “The one interesting thing in all of this is that there doesn’t appear to be any other suspicious instance of either Julian or Adrian doing any other sort of business with the mob or any of its connections. The corporation’s books are legitimate and so are their sources and investments. It’s a puzzle, really.”

“Who’s the informant?” Angus asked casually. “Vince might want to speak with him.”

“Who’s Vince?” Morgan asked.

“Vince is the private detective Adrian hired to find me,” Poppy said dryly. “I now have him investigating the board and all concerned with the company. It’s almost bankrupt and no one appears to know why.”

“I thought you hired auditors to do that?” Morgan said.

“I did, but they are just concerned with the books. I wanted someone who could check out the people. I want to know who I’m dealing with and who I can and can’t trust. It’s my corporation now and someone’s been helping themselves to it,” Poppy said firmly. “I’m not about to let that continue.”

They talked until it was time for Poppy and Angus to leave with Poppy explaining everything that had been going on and what her plans were.

“You know, Poppy, meeting with this fellow at night doesn’t seem like a good idea to me,” Morgan said with a frown. “What could he possibly want that couldn’t wait until the morning?”

“That’s what I said,” Angus agreed.

“There is a security officer in the building,” Poppy argued.

“Just the same, I’d feel better if Mike knew about this and stopped by there. Two owners of Condoloro Enterprises dead within a year aren’t good odds in my experience.”

“And the company bleedin’ money like a fresh slaughter,” Angus snorted.

Poppy stood up, glaring at both men. “I don’t care if you notify Mike, that’s fine with me. But just so you know, I do have my 9mm in my purse just in case. I don’t intend to take any more risk than I have to. This whole thing has me spooked too, but I can’t let it scare me from doing what I have to do,” she declared adamantly. She glanced at her watch. “It’s time for us to go. Are you ready, Angus?”

Angus got to his feet, his studied gaze making her lift her chin defiantly.

“Aye, ready as I’ll ever be.”

***

VINCE WAS STUDYINGthe coroner’s report for Julian with a frown. He’d done a background check into every board member and every employee in the office building, but he had the distinct impression he was missing something. Something important. Then it hit him.

Flipping to the end of Julian’s report he found the sentence he’d read before that hadn’t stuck with him.Possible DNA match.

The one thing he hadn’t checked out was Adrian’s death report from the coroner. Was it even ready yet? Quickly, he got online and checked in the coroner’s data base. It had just been submitted today. Flipping to the last page, he found it.Positive DNA match.Following the link included to reveal the source, he struck pay dirt. Now he had something to go on.

He glanced at his watch. It was 8:45 p.m. and Poppy was due to meet Hanrahan at 9:00 p.m. He tried to call her, then he tried to call Angus and all he got was static. That meant they were in the building and their calls were being blocked.

Frantically, he grabbed his car keys and dialed the number Poppy had given him for Morgan Kincaid as he raced to his car. He hadn’t met the man, but he assumed he was competent and could act quickly with his status as an FBI agent. When Morgan answered, he practically yelled into the phone. “This is Vince Gallo, the detective Poppy hired. Poppy is in danger. I think I know who the killer is. I’m headed to Poppy’s meeting at the Condoloro building, send backup.”

He started his blue Trax and hit the gas, ignoring Morgan’s return call. He needed to get there fast and without distraction.

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