The barista called Karina up, and Grace stepped back. “Come have a seat,” she said as Karina walked up to order. Grace rushed back to her makeshift work station to clear aside some of her papers. She debated texting Simon and asking for his advice. She had one of Mark’s bankers there and ready to talk. She just wasn’t sure what she wanted out of the woman at the moment.
At that moment, Karina walked over with her coffee in hand. “I really shouldn’t stay long,” she said as she sat down.
Grace picked up her own drink and crossed her legs. “No pressure. I always like to say hi to familiar faces, though. What are you doing in the area?”
“Picking up some paperwork.” She blew on the steaming drink in her hands. “Nothing fun. What are you working on? Any fancy events coming up?”
Grace tilted her head. “You know what I do?”
“Um…Mr. DuFord must’ve mentioned it,” she said quickly.
Grace made sure none of her disbelief showed. “That makes sense. But, no, I’m not planning anything crazy exciting. Nothing as extravagant as Mark’s barbeque the other day. Though you didn’t seem like you were having a great time.”
“Was I that obvious?”
“I have a sixth sense for people who aren’t enjoying themselves.” Grace gave Karina a sympathetic smile. “You need to come to one of my events sometime. Now I know how to throw a good party.”
Karina let out a laugh. “I bet. Unfortunately I don’t get out much.”
“Come on. Dressing up is good for the soul. Tell you what. This thing I’m working on right now is super last-minute, so we’re making sure to have lots of extra space since we’re not going to have a for sure head count. Why don’t you stop by?”
A blush crept up Karina’s cheeks. “I really couldn’t crash some big thing like that.”
“Honey,” said Grace. “It’s not crashing if you’re invited. Besides, between Mark and Daton, you know important people. And if you know important people, then other important people will want to know you. It’s the name of the game. You want to know what I’ll tell my client if she asks who you are?”
Karina’s brow crinkled. “What?”
“I’ll say you’re a banker with connections. And do you want to know how much of that is a lie?”
The corner of Karina’s mouth hooked up. “None.”
“Damn straight. Now do you have a card so I can send you the place and time?” asked Grace.
A sense of victory fell over Grace as Karina dug through her purse and pulled out a business card, even stopping to write her cell phone number on the back.
“Here you go.” She handed it over. “Send me a text if you change your mind,” she said with a weak smile.
The victory was watered down at Karina’s self-conscious words. Grace snatched the card. “Don’t talk like that. It’s a rough world out there. If someone offers you anything you can use to your advantage, you take it and don’t think twice.”
Karina nodded. “You sound like Daton.”
“Please,” said Grace. “I sound much prettier than Daton.”
Karina smiled as she stood. “Fair point. Thanks for the invitation. I guess my social skills need some work.”
Grace pushed herself up as well. “Don’t thank me. I’m excited you’re coming. See you around, Karina.”
As the woman walked out, Grace let out a deep breath. They had the forger running scared and now they might have an insider at Mark’s bank. Maybe they really could take Mark down.
~~~~~
Simon knew there was going to be trouble the second he saw the men in the reception area of Green & Sons. The two men who waited for him—a tall one with light brown hair and a shorter, Hispanic man with a severe buzz cut—both wore slightly wrinkled suits.
Before he could introduce himself, the tall one in the gray suit said, “Simon West?”
Simon clenched his jaw. He knew this type. These were cops. “Can I help you gentleman?”
The tall one opened up his wallet to show his badge and confirmed Simon’s suspicions. “Is there somewhere we can talk?”
“Follow me.” He turned to lead the men to his office. There were a few sideways glances as they walked by, but Simon made sure he stayed calm. He wasn’t all that worried. The police showing up at his place of business was an intimidation tactic. They were trying to throw him off balance and get him to admit something he shouldn’t.
Which meant they were still in the evidence gathering part of the investigation and he was the one they were gathering evidence on.
When they reached his office, he shut the door and gestured to the chairs in front of his desk. As expected, they declined.
“Suit yourselves.” He took a seat in his office chair. He didn’t need to prove himself to these guys. “What can I do for you?”
It was the tall one who spoke first again. “I’m Detective Jones and this is my partner, Detective Munoz. We have a few questions for you.”
Simon shrugged. “Ask away.”
“So what is it you do here again?” asked Munoz.
“I am a consultant. When the current CEO took over here, the company was in a rough patch and she hired me to help turn it around.”
Jones nodded and looked around the office with a decidedly unimpressed expression. “And how has that been going for you?”
“I can’t divulge company information like that. Do you want to cut to the chase and tell me why you’re asking?”
Munoz smiled. “You’re a straight shooter. I like that.”
Simon laughed. “Funny. Most people hate it.”
The tall one moved to the back corner of the office and stared out the window. “Have you had any money problems lately, Mr. West?”
Simon looked between Munoz and Jones, who were now effectively surrounding him. “Money is my business, Detectives. I make people money. I don’t have money problems.”
Munoz raised a brow. “How exactly do you make your clients so much?”
“A combination of tactics. Analyzing the market and giving them out-of-the-box options to stabilize or grow the business.”
Jones crossed his arms over his chest. “You don’t move money for your clients?”
“I tell them where I think they should move the money. I don’t touch anything myself.” Simon waited for the next question, trying not to offer any information the detectives didn’t explicitly ask for. DuFord must’ve tipped them off to something, but Simon was certain he hadn’t broken any laws. Which meant DuFord was either trying to scare him or he was actively framing him for something. But Simon couldn’t do a damn thing about it unless he knew what DuFord was up to.
“What do you do with your own funds?” Munoz subtly inched closer and closed in on Simon even more.
Simon was unfazed. “I have a guy for that.”
Jones also took a step closer. “What’s his name?”
Simon opened up the top desk drawer and dug around for a moment. “Here you go.” He handed a card to Munoz. “Now are you going to tell me what this is about?”
Jones and Munoz exchanged a look before Jones finally moved away from Simon and toward the door. “Thanks for your help, Mr. West.” At that moment, Munoz handed Simon their contact information. “We’ll be in touch.”