Page 9 of Fourth Heartwarmers Trilogy
“I’m sorry you’ve had such bad luck. But today we’re going to stop worrying about what we can’t change and look on the bright side – we’re safe and together. I’m going to buy the ingredients, and you my young friend are going to help me bake the best carrot cake you’ve ever tasted. We’ll surprise the men with a treat tonight.”
Josie’s face brightened. “I’ll cook a chicken and roast potatoes for dinner.”
“Lovely. It’ll be a feast.”
Chapter Ten
Noel’s next step was to visit his cousin, Bill Harrison, the county’s district attorney. Meeting at a nice restaurant, he stood when his tall, handsome cousin approached.
The men hugged, and Bill held on for longer than usual. “Hey, Noel. It’s good to see you. First, I want to tell you how sorry I am about Aunt Zuzu, Uncle George and Harry. Have they been able to recover their bodies yet? I read the newspaper accounts that the next day’s storm couldn’t have been more damaging, the avalanche of snow and rocks making it treacherous for a rescue party.”
“They’ve made an attempt, but it wasn’t successful and one of the Search and Rescue people ended up in Emergency. They’re waiting for another window of calm before they’ll make a second attempt. It might be weeks.”
“How devastating to lose them all at once. I hoped you’d gotten my messages, but when I didn’t hear back, I was very worried.”
“You had good reason. I was a mess, almost did something really stupid and got talked out of it by an angel.” Noel watched for his cousin’s reaction to his statement and grinned when he heard the answer.
“Well if I ever get to meet her, she’ll have my lasting gratitude. I drove to the city twice and couldn’t find you anywhere, checked the apartment, your favorite bar, friends. No one had seen you. But you’re here now. You said you had something we needed to discuss and that you wanted my help. Of course, I’ll do whatever I can.”
Noel shared all the information he’d gathered from the papers he spent most of the hours of the night before studying. “I’ll send you copies but, so you know, though I’m not an accountant, there’re a few questions I’m seeing that need answers. Dad’s board said they hired private investigators to delve into all this thoroughly, but I’m not sure they knew what to look for. Once they saw the evidence pointing to Harry and Dad, they followed that trail without opening their minds to the possibilities that they were framed.”
“Happens more times than people know about. I’d stake my reputation on both Uncle George and Harry’s honor.”
Noel leaned over and clasped Bill’s arm. “That means a lot, buddy. Thank you.”
“It’s the truth. Neither George nor Harry were capable of such treachery to the company they both loved. There has to be other answers. Is the plant still functioning, or has it been shut down?”
“From what I understand, they’re running it with a skeleton crew, just to keep that part of the business from totally collapsing. But I don’t know how long it will survive. I’ve met the previous foreman who was in charge of the day-to-day operations before he suffered a sketchy accident, and he’s very skeptical about these numbers. He’s agreed to work with us and see if we can’t get more realistic figures.”
“Look, I’ve heard some rumors about a new bunch in that area that’re creating a lot of havoc amongst the businesses. Let me do some digging, and in the meantime, you go snoop around. Ask questions of your own, and we’ll meet again when we have more to go on.”
Noel left his cousin feeling better than he had since he’d first gotten the horrible news of his family’s disaster. Looking back from the healthy place he occupied now, he had a hard time believing he’d accepted they were capable of such treachery. Exhaustion and self-pity were his excuses but that seemed weak and pitiful now. Knowing he’d bowed to the evidence rather than questioning it gave him a sick feeling in his stomach.
Overcome by tiredness and not ready to drive, he sat behind the wheel of his car and looked at himself in his rear-view mirror. Feeling lower than pond scum, he berated the image. How could you have believed for even a minute that Dad or Harry could have become men who stole from others?
Incredibly, his face faded and the old man he recognized as Clarence appeared. “My good fellow, have a little pity on an already exhausted, disheartened man who just the day before won a long trial where you battled against vile corruption. Then you lost the most important people in your world, parents and a brother you loved dearly. Adding insult to injury, you were shown indisputable evidence they’d broken the law. That would crush any sane human being.”
“Clarence! Thank God! I was going crazy wondering if I’d imagined you. You’re the one who can help me. Tell me who’s behind the criminal behavior in Bedford Falls.”
“That’s not my story to tell, Noel. But I can share a little advice. Crooks don’t care who they hurt, it’s always about the money.”
A little bell sounded, waking Noel from the siesta he’d slid into. His glance flew to the mirror and his image stared back.
Chapter Eleven
Noel returned home and the wonderful odors in his normally cold, unwelcoming apartment left his stomach growling. He smelled chicken and something else. The sweetness of cinnamon and sugar permeated the air.
“Hi Steve, you’re looking quite smug. I have a feeling you’re about to share some good news. I can’t wait to hear a positive report after the negativity I’ve been surrounded by today.”
“Hi, Noel, I’m glad you showed up. While I’ve been going through all of your files, the girls have been in the kitchen for hours preparing a meal fit for a king.” He rubbed his stomach in a telling way, then he pointed at the computer. “And I’ve found exactly what I thought I would; evidence of tampering on these pages.”
Noel flew to his side, grabbed the nearby chair and hauled it under him. “Show me.”
During the next twenty minutes, Steve pointed out certain variances, the sloppy mechanisms of a crook who hadn’t beentoo smart in his or her creative bookkeeping. It almost looked like whoever had taken over the accounts felt so safe in their thievery, they’d given up covering their tracks.
“This is proof that Dad and Harry didn’t set up the overseas account, right? And if they didn’t, whoever did must have been the same people who laundered the money through that bank.”
“Right. They stole the money, making it look like a new policy your father had enacted. And I have a good idea of just who those people are.”
