FIVE
MEADOW
“You guys really dabble in a little of everything.” I’m surprised there are so many accounts for a million different things.
I know Heath and Mace took over the family law firm, and it was already well known before they got their hands on it, but they have already doubled the firm's growth. I can tell from a quick glance that the two of them really have built something with what they were given.
“What do you mean?” Heath asks. Every time I glance up from my laptop, he’s staring at me, and it’s not helping with my concentration. I’m already overwhelmed just being in his presence.
“It’s a lot,” Craig mutters in agreement.
“Can you enlighten me?” Heath’s tone holds an edge to it, but I guess he’s used to people jumping to answer him quickly.
“You have attorneys in almost every field. The firm is massive.”
“Yes. Mace and I wanted to be able to handle anything a client might need. From a criminal case to divorce or simple traffic tickets. Why would I want to send business elsewhere when I could hire lawyers to do those things here?”
I knew Heath and Mace work hard, but this shows just how driven they are.
“Let’s not forget the trusts and wills,” I point out, because it’s what has my attention.
“That’s what I was thinking.” Craig clicks on another file.
“Thankfully it’s all really organized,” I say because I’ve seen some messy books before, and Craig nods in agreement. He can be annoying, but he knows what he’s doing.
“The investments?” Heath stands as it dawns on him.
“That would be the best way to try and hide money. You have hundreds of trusts for very rich people who have those trusts invested in a million different things. The peaks and falls of those investments might not be noticeable to someone so wealthy and that isn’t checking regularly. They might think a stock dropped if they are halfway paying attention.”
“They take a little from here and a little from there,” Craig adds. “Then they make a break for it before anyone catches on.”
“But you can trace it?”
“Yes, but it’s going to take time. We’re going to have to backtrack and go through each account.”
“All right,” Heath agrees, still standing.
“Though I want to make a quick swipe of the firm's other accounts and make sure those books are clean. That should be easy, but I’d hate to dig into all these trusts only to find out it’s something else.”
“That would blow.” Craig can’t help but give his two cents, and each time it annoys Heath. Craig might not realize it, but I know Heath, and I can read him like a book.
“Yes, that would blow,” I say in agreement and try to hide my laugh.
“Do what you need to, I trust you,” Heath says, and I hate how much I love hearing it. It feels like butterfly wings in my belly when he says it, and I have to remind myself that Heath is a distraction.
“Do you think we could talk for a moment?” I glance to Craig. “Alone?”
“Of course.” Heath is already heading toward the double doors of the conference room. “We can go to my office.” He holds the door open for me. “You didn’t bring a coat.”
“Um…” His comment catches me off guard. “No, I forgot.” I’m surprised Briar hadn’t said anything, but she was wrapped up in evil thoughts, and it wasn’t until I was out of our building that I noticed. It isn’t as cold today, so I didn’t go back for it.
“Sir.” A blonde stands from behind her desk as we approach. Great, another blonde. Damn it, jealousy is the last thing that needs to be on my mind right now.
“I don’t need anything,” he tells her as he opens the door to his office for me. “I’m not to be disturbed,” Heath adds before the two of us are all alone in his office. Crap, obviously having a word in private would mean being alone with him, but I really hadn't thought we’d actually be this private. Now I’m in a room that’s filled with his rich, warm scent.
“Is he bothering you? I can request someone else.”
“Who?” I ask, confused.