Broken Trust by Shannon Baker Read Free Book Online Page A

invoices are entered and get them filed. I’ll see about bank balances and check A/P.”
    Abruptly, he said. “Write Sylvia’s check but everything else can wait until next week.” Snort .
    “Shouldn’t she submit a reimbursement request and receipts?”
    Mark waved that away. “She’s a star scientist , not an accounting clerk. She shouldn’t waste her time with this trivia.”
    “The auditors … ”
    “Do it.” He interrupted, and then seemed to catch himself. “Please.”
    She didn’t commit. “I’m hoping to get this bookkeeping stuff out of the way by the end of the week so I can settle in and work on the funds and project worksheets and reports. I need to figure out how all this is organized.”
    Mark’s eyebrows drew down and he snuffled, an even more nervous sound than his usual laugh. “That will come. But right now you need to pull some financials together for tomorrow’s board meeting.”
    A mace, complete with spiked ball, swung straight from his hand with no wind up. It smacked into the side of her head. “A board meeting tomorrow ?”
    “Don’t worry. I’ve got the financials Darla submitted two weeks ago for the board preview. You can just add a few expenses and a little income and they’ll be good to go. I e-mail ed them to you.” His assurance felt as slimy as his dismissal of Darla’s murder.
    “It won’t be accurate.”
    “No one expects them to be penny perfect. They only want an update from what they had previously. Just get through tomorrow and you’ll have time to study everything in depth.”
    She doubted the board wanted or needed sketchy information. She didn’t answer.
    His face reddened as he became defensive. “We can’t cancel the meeting. Daniel Cubrero fit it into his schedule. Bryson Bradshaw is over the Atlantic now and a few others won’t want to cancel their flights and reschedule. These meetings are hell to arrange.”
    When she still didn’t answer he said, “Do your best. But remember, we don’t want to upset the board needlessly.” He spun around and scurried away before she could respond.
    She addressed Abbey. “Not a good situation.” The Trust was an accounting nightmare. If someone didn’t set it right, and soon, they wouldn’t be able to continue to repair trails and maintain crucial habitats. The beetle kill research would take a hit.
    Nora’s guilt over almost spraying uranium-tainted water on the sacred peaks in Flagstaff drove her on a strange apologetic quest. She didn’t make snow as she’d set out to do and the slopes were protected now, but she still felt she had a debt to pay. Maybe accounting wouldn’t end global warming or save the whales , but straightening up this office could be her contribution.
    Sour stew boiled in Nora’s gut. How would she pull together financials to present to a board of directors when she had no notion of the organization?

eight
    The afternoon sun sent an uncertain ray through her window and Abbey lay in its weak beam in the middle of the room. Someone had overcooked popcorn in the microwave and the smell added to Nora’s nausea.
    An electronic beep sounded, startling Nora. A tinny voice invaded the room. “Nora?”
    An old-school int ra office page. Must be coming from a phone. Nora raised her voice. “Hi. I’m here. Just let me find the phone.” Nora pushed papers aside and finally found a beige Titanic of technology. She picked up the receiver. “Okay. I’ve got it.”
    “This is Sylvia. You haven’t had a chance to tour my office suite. Why not come down? I’m at a good break point.”
    Nothing like a summons from the queen. “Sure.”
    “I’m sending Petal to get you.”
    The queen and even a lady in waiting—rather, a Rasta-girl-in-waiting. A rustle caused Nora to turn to the door. Petal stood like a rag doll, all floppy and boneless, her eyes red-rimmed. Appar ently, Sylvia had little doubt Nora would accept the command. “Here she is.” Nora tried to sound pleased as she