Miranda Vaughn Mystery 01.00 - Chasing the Dollar by Ellie Ashe Read Free Book Online Page B

may be able to help you," he said.
    My resolve slipped a fraction of an inch, but I was still rooted to the spot.
    "Help me with what?"
    He ran a hand through his hair and peered through the three-inch crack in the door at me.
    "Can I come in? I'd rather not explain it standing out here, under this spotlight."
    Moths dive-bombed his head as he stood beneath the security light outside the door. Still I waited, unsure of what to do. I seemed unable to make a decision.
    "I promise not to arrest you," he said. "This is important."
    I tasted blood and realized that I was biting my lip.
    "It's about Patterson Tinker," he said.
    " Wait here," I said, shutting the door. I picked up the laundry again, walked the twenty feet to my bedroom, and rummaged through the basket to find something to wear. Slipping on a pair of shorts and a tank top, I couldn't believe I was even considering letting a federal agent into my house. Rob had taught me better.
    But he had information about Patterson Tinker, and that intrigued me.
    I brushed my hair before it dried in a tangle and went back to the front door and unlocked it, opening it wider.
    " It's late, Agent Barnes," I said.
    He nodded. "I know. I apologize for coming by unannounced."
    How polite. He made no move to come into the apartment, waiting on me to invite him.
    Like a damn vampire.
    I hesitated then opened the door fully. "Come on in," I said with a sigh.
    He gave me a nod and entered my home, his eyes sweeping over the kitchen-dining-living room combo—what might be called a great room if that weren 't so ridiculous in such a small space. I hurried to the kitchen table and swept up the paperwork and computer, stashing the documents on a bookshelf and putting the closed laptop on top of the pages.
    " I hope I wasn't interrupting anything," he said.
    I shook my head. "Just some work. Would you like to sit down?"
    He glanced at the red couch that sat below the window overlooking the yard, and I quickly scanned the room for any bras or other embarrassing items lying around. The pitfall of living alone with few friends. He sat on one end of the loveseat, and I perched uneasily on the matching club chair across a low coffee table from him. The furniture had looked modern in my airy two-bedroom condo with a view of the city and the mountains in the background. Now the pieces looked like they were going slumming in my converted garage apartment.
    "First, thank you for talking with me," he said. "This isn't about any investigation, doesn't have anything to do with your case."
    " But if it did, you wouldn't have to tell me."
    I knew the rules. If I lied to a federal agent, it was a felony. But he could lie to me with impunity.
    "That's true, but I promise I'm not investigating you."
    That promise meant nothing to me, so I just shrugged. "What is it you wanted to see me about?"
    His lips tightened, and he appeared to struggle to figure out how to start.
    "When you worked at Patterson, did you know Bill Macias?"
    I nodded but kept my face neutral. I 'd just spent a lot of my evening studying Bill Macias's email traffic and transfers to and from his office's general account.
    " Are you investigating Mr. Macias?"
    He shook his head. "No, I'm not. I'm not here investigating anyone," he said. "Did you work with Bill?"
    " Not really. He was overseas, in London. Later he transferred to Asia," I said. This was information he'd easily be able to find out. Bill Macias was a vice president, and though Patterson was fond of giving out that title, Bill actually had responsibilities to go along with the nameplate.
    " Yes, I know," he said.
    " He headed up the energy group," I said. This, too, was easily accessed information. The company probably put out a press release on his promotion.
    " What can you tell me about the energy group?"
    I frowned. "That's a broad question, Agent Barnes."
    " Call me Jake, please," he said. "Macias had been working with the energy group for a couple years, right?"
    I nodded. "I