Page 40 of To Catch a Latte Thick as Thieves

“I see.” She sat back in her chair. Her face was tight, pensive. Fisher couldn’t hazard a guess as to what she was thinking.

“No, I don’t think you do,” he said. “The reason that I’m telling you all of this, Annie, is because I need your help. I need access to your books and financial information.”

“Why?”

“Because significant amounts of cash are being laundered through The Coffee Break.”

“But...by who?”

“That’s what I want you to help me find out,” he said.

“Why should I?” she snapped.

The storm clouds finally rolled in and Fisher welcomed them. He’d rather deal with a furious Annie than a defeated one.

“You lied to me,” she said, her voice increasing in volume with her temper.

“I never lied,” he argued. “I just didn’t tell you everything.”

“Lies of omission,” she said, standing up. “It’s the same thing.”

“I was doing my job,” he argued, standing, too.

“Oh, sure. You kissed me! You...you...argh!” She jabbed him in the chest with a pointy finger. “I guess that’s all in a day’s work for an FBI guy.”

“Hey, you asked me to the wedding,” he reminded her. “And yes, it was a good opportunity to observe the people in your life. As for kissing you, that had nothing to do with the investigation.”

“Sure,” she said. “How do you know you can trust me? How do you know I’m not a criminal?”

“Honestly?” he asked and she nodded. “I don’t, but I’m willing to stake my career on it.”

They stood toe to toe, staring at one another like two boxers squared off in opposite corners.

He went for a jab. “Annie, I need you,” he said.

He watched her temper seep out of her like air out of a balloon. She looked bewildered and deflated. Fisher wanted to pull her into his arms and comfort her, but he resisted the urge. He had to give her time to adjust to the news he’d just dumped on her. Her entire world was upside down and he couldn’t take advantage of her distress just to make himself feel better.

“I’m sorry, Annie-girl,” he said.

“Thank you for that,” she said and sighed. “I just can’t believe it. Are you sure there’s no mistake?”

“I’m sure,” he said.

“I just don’t understand how or why,” she said. “I know I’m not the most savvy businesswoman, but how could this be happening without my knowing? And who could be doing it?”

“That’s what I need your help to find out,” he said. “We’ve gone over all of the bank records for your shop. Someone from the outside is manipulating your accounts. I need to know who exactly has access to your books.”

“Just about everyone,” she said. “I trust all of my employees. I never even lock the safe, except at night.”

“Well, things are going to have to change,” he said. “I’m going to spend more time in the shop, observing who comes and goes. While I’m doing that, you can give me a rundown on everyone.”

“Don’t you think someone will notice if you skulk around the shop all day?”

“Put me to work then,” he suggested. “We’ll say you’re shorthanded and I’m helping out.”

“I don’t like the idea of you spying on my customers and employees,” she said.

“Can you think of a better idea?”

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