Page 69 of In the Line of Ire

"Therisk is reduced when the store catches all the blame," pointed outSolomon. "Plus, the actual counterfeiters are probably far away,with many operations in play and all at the same time, just likewhat Maddox and Farid are investigating. The counterfeiters’contact inside the store could end up taking the fall if a formalinvestigation were launched."

"LikeAlison Shore," I said, and the sight of her dead body with the fakebag over her head flashed through my brain.

"Exactly."

"Which leads me back to looking deeper into Charlaine Beck.What puzzled me wasn't that she wanted easy money, butwhyshe would wantit."

"I don'tfollow you."

"She'svery wealthy," I explained. "She lives in a huge, glamorous housein Bedford Hills. A new car was parked on the driveway. Her husbandworks in the Middle East and she was talking about the fantastictrips they like to take, including a big European vacation they'vebeen planning. Why would someone like that need fastcash?"

"Perhapsshe doesn't realize what she's doing. She might be gettingduped."

"Maybe,but she didn't appear that stupid, and I overheard a conversationthat suggests she knows exactly what she’s doing. Plus, she riskslosing her social standing and that's very important to someonelike Charlaine. If word got out that she was ripping her friendsoff, they would all shun her. No more parties, no more lunches, andno country club events. And before you ask if that is such a badthing, to Charlaine, it would definitely be."

"Iwasn't going to say that. I fully agree with you. It's a strangething for her to do on her own. Could she have beencoerced?"

"I doubtthere’s a bulldozer of a guy behind her demanding that she sell,sell, sell, if that's what you mean. She didn't give me a hard selleither but seemed fairly unsubtle about not missing out on so manydeals as she kept repeating all the discounts. She definitely knewhow to stir up the crowd and get everyone excited enough to regressto mob thinking and follow the herd."

"Thepressure could be coming from elsewhere. Or maybe their fortuneshave been made by means less than legitimate. Let me know what youuncover." Solomon turned and poured coffee from the machine intohis to-go cup before putting the mug I set out for himaway.

"You'regoing already?" I asked.

"Got ameeting with the Feds. Information-sharing, supposedly."

"Supposedly? Maddox sent a huge file of background checksover."

"Glad tohear it. I think it's more like they want to know what else we knowrather than sharing anything they know."

"Soundsa little tedious."

"Got itin one. Can you make your own way to the mall?"

"I coulddrive there blindfolded."

"Ibelieve you. So do not take that as a challenge."

I stoodand pressed my lips to his. "If you insist."

"I willsee you later at the mall."

"Don'tforget it's dinner at my parents’ house tonight."

"Can wedo that and also stake out your lead?"

"If Isaid no, which would you pick?"

"I wouldswing by your parents’ house, get two plates to go and make thestakeout."

Thethought hadn't occurred to me but I liked it. "Maybe I should askmy mom to make enough food for everyone working on thestakeout."

"Don't.She'll want to come and I can't guarantee anyone's safety if thathappens."

"Anexcellent point," I said as I kissed him again.

OnceSolomon was gone, I poured a cup of coffee and ate a piece oftoast, standing up. Then I strolled to my car and headed into work.Delgado was already in the office, concentrating on his laptop. Helooked up, nodded and continued with his task.

I pulledout my own laptop and while I waited for it to power up, I asked,"How do you like masquerading as a security guard?"

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