But he found it interesting that she hadn’t moved very far away. Also that she’d remarried. He wondered how soon that had happened after her daughter’s death.
* * *
CHARLIE WAS STILL thinking about what Amanda had told her at lunch as she headed back to the office. Why had Greg not wanted anyone to know that Amanda had come with him from another company he’d owned? Why did it matter?
Unless he didn’t want anyone to know how short a time he’d had the other businesses before selling and moving on. But if that was the case, then he shouldn’t have brought Amanda with him. Surely he knew that she wasn’t good at keeping secrets—other than her own.
Then again, he didn’t know a lot about her, including that she also had a lover on the side.
If Amanda had been telling the truth, then Greg had hired a headhunter friend. Had he really wanted to recruit Charlie that badly? She felt honored. Why hadn’t Greg ever mentioned that he’d done that? Amanda had thought Greg was obsessed with his new creative artist, but other companies did the same thing to get the personnel they wanted.
However, it did explain at least why Amanda had disliked her from the get-go.
Charlie chuckled to herself. At lunch, Amanda had made it clear she didn’t think Charlie was that talented. Was she? She loved what she did, but it wasn’t like her last boss had praised her all that much. She was glad that Greg had seen something in her work that he liked enough to go to the trouble of getting her to come to work for him—and with a much better salary. The trouble was Amanda’s jealousy.
She was stewing over all this as she came into the building and found Greg waiting for her. He looked concerned.
“Is something wrong?” she asked.
“I just didn’t want to miss you,” he said. “Why don’t you step into my office where we can talk?”
Oh boy. She had absolutely no idea what to expect now—and went with her old standby, expect the worst.
“I’m sorry, have I done something?” she asked as Greg offered her a chair.
He took his behind his desk and waved the suggestion away. “Did I hear you went to lunch with Amanda?”
She nodded, a little surprised he hadn’t known. Apparently his and Amanda’s pillow talk hadn’t included lunch today.
“How was it?”
“Lunch?” She swallowed down the lump that climbed up her throat. “We had lobster rolls.”
He nodded. “Amanda’s favorite. I’ve never known if she loves lobster or if she just likes to order the most expensive item on the menu. So they were good?”
“Delicious. I just ordered what she did.” Charlie wanted to call the words back the moment they were out of her mouth. She sounded like a kid making excuses for her behavior by blaming someone else.
But Greg didn’t seem to hear her, which told her that this wasn’t about lunch or the bill. “I’m worried about you,” he said, leaning back in his chair to study her.
That was the last thing Charlie wanted. “Because I’ve been showing up for work early rather than late?” she joked, hoping to lighten the tension she felt in the room.
“I’m serious, Charlie. This old boyfriend who you think sent the dead mouse... He sounds dangerous.”
You have no idea.
“I think you should go to the police.”
She was already shaking her head. “Really, that isn’t necessary. I’m sure he’ll never do anything like that again.”
“You talked to him about it?” Before she could answer, he continued, “Is he the man I saw watching you come into the building this morning? I got the impression that he followed you.” Greg went on to describe Shep. “Could he be stalking you?”
He thought Shep was her old boyfriend who she’d said had sent the dead mouse. She started to say no, but sensed he wasn’t going to let this go. “You have the wrong idea,” she said. “I can promise that Shep and I now have an understanding.”
“Shep? That sounds like a dog’s name,” Greg said. “No offense.”
She had to laugh. “I said the same thing to him when I first met him. His last name is Shepherd.” She shrugged, then she clamped her lips shut, realizing she was only getting in deeper.
“He isn’t someone you dated since you went to work here?”
“No, it was a long time ago.” A very long time ago. She frowned. “Why would you ask that?”
Greg looked embarrassed. “Amanda was with me this morning. She said he wasn’t the one who’s picked you up from work in that muscle car of his.” Daniel. “She thought he might be someone new. She keeps track of these kinds of things. I have to admit, it isn’t something I ever notice.”
Amanda, of course. Charlie wondered what other things the woman had told Greg about her. “Amanda definitely has a lot of interests.”
“I wouldn’t ask about the man. It’s just that you seemed upset this morning.”
It surprised her that he’d noticed. “You know how old relationships are. Often those feelings are still there.” She meant that as a throwaway, not realizing how close to home she’d hit until she saw his expression.
“I guess the staff have been talking about my old girlfriend,” he said quietly. “I did make a fool of myself over her. And you’re right, it’s often hard to get over, especially your first real love.”
She wanted to swallow her tongue. How had they gotten on this conversation? She didn’t want to share confidences with her boss anymore than she had wanted to with his fiancée.
“Well, if you ever want to talk about it...” Greg rose, dismissing her just as a clearly drunk Amanda appeared in his doorway.
“What do you have here?” Amanda said, slurring her words as she took in the two of them.
“Running a business,” Greg said stiffly. “Nice of you to join us.”
Charlie made the fastest exit of her life, fearing another dead mouse. Or worse.
* * *
RETIRED HOMICIDE DETECTIVE Danny Mulvane offered Shep a cold can of beer and a chair at the kitchen table. He took both. Mulvane was a big man, broad-shouldered with thick legs and a belly that preceded him wherever he went. The man seemed comfortable with himself and his retirement.
“Lindy Parker,” Mulvane said with a sigh and shook his mop of graying dark hair. “Have you seen a photo of her? Beautiful girl. Had her whole life ahead of her. What a waste.”
“You talked to the neighbors at the time?”