Frankie grimaced. “If I have to.”
“You do,” Johanna said with a laugh as she reached across the table and squeezed Frankie's hand. “It won't kill you.”
“It might.”
* * * *
Frankie stared out of the office window. “It looks like it's setting up to be a very nice day.” She stretched. “Makes me wish I could get out there and enjoy some of that sunshine.”
Johanna smiled wistfully. “I know, but work comes first.”
Frankie scowled playfully at her as she walked back to her desk and sat down. “Most of these types of cases usually wrap up within a couple of days. We catch the suspect in a compromising situation, hand the evidence to the client and the case is closed.”
“I doubt this one will end that smoothly,” she replied skeptically. “Do you think it will?”
The phone buzzed before Frankie could reply. She lifted an eyebrow as she glanced at Johanna. “Let's hope this is Kendall Longman.” She picked up the receiver. “Barker and Obrien—”
“Hello. Do you have anything to report?” Kendall asked breathlessly.
“As a matter of fact, we do,” Frankie answered. “I'm putting you on speaker so that Johanna and I can both listen and talk to you. Is that okay?”
Kendall paused. “If anyone walks into the office please immediately click off,” she said anxiously.
“Of course. Everything between us is strictly confidential.” Frankie pressed speaker as she glanced at Johanna. “Is everything all right, Kendall? I can't help but notice that you sound winded.”
“I'm outside walking on the grounds so our conversation can't be overheard.” Her voice dropped to a low level. “I don't even know whom in my employ I can trust anymore. Thatcher has used his charm to wrap most of them around his little finger,” she said bitterly. “I'm using a burner phone that Alec gave me to be on the safe side. If you ever need to reach me you can contact Alec day or night.” She cleared her throat. “You're obviously aware that Thatcher returned home earlier than normal last night.”
“Yes, we are,” Johanna said. “We do have some information for you and I'll also be writing up a daily report for you, which will be given to Alec.”
“Did you find anything that will prove he's been unfaithful?” she asked.
“Not yet, but as he was exiting the parking garage of the office complex, he had a brief confrontation with a woman we later learned is Becca Manning. Anything you can tell us about her might be helpful.”
Kendall laughed softly. “She's an odd one. She's been at the company for as long as I can remember. It has to be over twenty years. According to some, she's a financial genius. All I know is that she's the head financial advisor and handles all of the investment accounts. We've never had a problem with her work as far as I know, but then I haven't had many encounters with her. On the few occasions I've been in her company, I got the impression that she's very private and mostly keeps to herself. She barely says two words to anyone. She's never attended the annual Christmas parties or any of the other social events Bronson sponsors for the employees. To be honest, I can't say that I know her at all.”
Johanna took notes as Kendall talked. “She's never said anything about her personal life?”
“No. Like I said, she tends to keep her private life separate from the office.”
“Do you know if she's friendly with anyone at the office?”
“I doubt it. Like I said, she's not very personable. She lives and breathes finances.” She paused. “I can't understand why she would have a confrontation with Thatcher, especially in the parking garage.” She paused again. “I'll call again tomorrow morning then. Hopefully you'll have something more for me. Remember—call Alec day or night if you need to reach me.”
“Will do.” Frankie clicked off and then leaned back in her chair with her hands behind her head. “I feel sorry for her. I wish we had something to give her.”
“What a tragic life she's had. Her money certainly hasn't bought her much happiness,” Johanna said.
“Well, let's make sure that Thatcher doesn't end up with any of it.”
Johanna frowned. “If Becca Manning is the head of the finance department, it stands to reason that everything goes through her. She's responsible for the bottom line. Kendall said she handles all of the investment accounts.” She tapped a pen on the edge of her desk. “I think that she and Thatcher are working some kind of scam together.”
Frankie listened intently. “Setting up phony accounts. Who would know? Name a phony corporation and set it up offshore.” Frankie's lips drew into a taut line. “Makes sense. If they were having an affair and then Thatcher got involved with the blonde, Becca may be trying to blackmail him.” She peered at Johanna. “Unless you have another theory.”
“No. What you said is the only logical conclusion I come to. We need to find out everything there is to know about that blonde.”
Frankie sighed. “Agreed. And Becca Manning. Everyone has a past and I want to know what's in Becca's.”
Johanna placed her fingertips on the side of her head. “Don't forget there's a baby, too.”
Frankie nodded. “Possibly Becca planned for a happily ever after with Thatcher after he got control of everything Kendall owns, but he got the blonde pregnant and now Becca wants revenge. If she's been having an affair with Thatcher for God knows how long, of course she'd do everything to
