Chapter Twenty-Two

The prisoner’s blue gaze flickered over Kate’s face and then returned to his folded hands. His blond hair had dark roots, and his mustache was growing back.

“Why did you lie to us, Troy? Or should I call you Charlie?” Kate felt like getting up and walking out. He’d betrayed her; he had betrayed all of them. “For some bizarre reason, I kept thinking you were a good guy. Even after seeing that wanted poster, I didn’t want to believe you were Charlie the embezzler. But here you are.”

He looked up at her. “I’m sorry. Most of what I told you is true. I no longer have a job. I was about to be arrested. We’ve been in hiding—no money—no food. You may not believe me, but I’m innocent of those charges.”

“I’d like to believe you, but how can I?” Kate folded her arms.

“It’s true. I worked for Valley Trust and Mortgage in Pine Ridge.”

Kate nodded. “I know. I’ve read the articles and talked with Sheila.”

Charlie massaged his temples in frustration. “Someone set me up. Whoever stole those funds used my identity and even used my computer. Somehow they got ahold of my passwords and transferred funds into some offshore account.

“My boss said if I admitted to the theft and paid it back, he’d have to fire me, but he’d make sure the charges were dropped. I couldn’t do that. I thought that somehow I could prove my innocence.”

“But you couldn’t.” Kate wanted to believe him, but she wasn’t about to be taken in again, trusting blue eyes or not.

“No.” Charlie ran a hand through his hair. “I told my boss what happened, but he didn’t believe me. They went public with accusations, and just like that, I’m guilty.”

In light of some of the public scandals involving big corporations, Kate was almost ready to believe him. “So you ran away.”

“I didn’t know what else to do. I was afraid that whoever stole the money would come after me and my family.” He sighed. “Castile told me I should leave. He was supposed to do some checking around, but I never heard from him after that.”

Kate sat up straight. “Castile? Ned Castile?”

Charlie nodded.

“I’ve been reading about his disappearance. What’s his connection with Valley Trust?”

“He’s a board member.”

“Curious,” Kate mused. “Could Ned have set you up?”

“No way. I think whoever took the money is responsible for his disappearance.”

“Do you have any idea who might have set you up?”

“There are several. My boss, for one. Name’s Gerald Woods. He has a lot of money, but it seems like he’s living at a higher level than he should be. I got along with everybody, so it doesn’t make sense for one of them to single me out.”

“Anyone else?” Kate jotted the name in her notebook.

He shrugged. “Sheila Madison. She came on when the new branch opened about a year ago. She got upset with Woods when he reneged on giving her an increase in salary she was promised when she signed on. Because of the financial losses no one got a raise. But she’s a good person. Sheila’s easygoing and she’s not the kind of person to hold a grudge. Besides, if she wanted to hurt someone, it wouldn’t be me.”

“Sheila is a friend of mine,” Kate said. “Or rather, her mother is. She suggested you might have money problems.”

“She’s right about that. When my grandfather died, I was supposed to get the entire estate. But it turned out he’d lost everything in some financial scam.”

“I’m sorry, Charlie. Unfortunately that sounds like a motive.”

“Yeah, but I’m not the only one with money problems.” He paused for a moment. “The corporate financial officer, Bill Bennett, got into some financial trouble last year. His wife has been real sick.”

Kate jotted down the information. “Who else would have access to all the files and offices?”

A smirk crossed his face. “The janitors.”

“Really?” His response piqued Kate’s interest.

Charlie shook his head. “Not really, but they do have master keys and can get into all the rooms.”

“This is a good start.” She closed the notebook. “One more thing, Charlie. The deputy in Copper Mill says you’re responsible for breaking into the pharmacy Tuesday night.”

Charlie shook his head. “The sheriff asked me about that. Like I told him, I was already here in Chattanooga by then. And no, I don’t have anyone who can vouch for me.” He tipped his head back and then leaned forward, elbows on the table. “Mrs. Hanlon, I don’t expect you to believe me. I bought prescriptions with the money you folks were kind enough to give me. Why would I go back later and steal them?”

The guard came forward and motioned for Charlie to get up. “Your time is up. Sorry, but I have to take you back.”

Kate stood as well. She had a lot more questions, but she wouldn’t be able to get them answered—at least not today. “My husband, Paul, said to tell you he’s been praying for you. I have been too.”

“Thank you, ma’am.” He gave her a wan smile. Charlie looked as though he wanted to say more but turned and allowed the guard to escort him back to his cell.

Kate got into her car and sat there a moment, trying to assimilate Charlie’s story. Something about his mannerisms, his eyes, still compelled her to trust him. She also felt the urge to do whatever she could to find the real thief. And maybe, at the same time, she could figure out what had happened to Ned Castile.

She decided to make another visit to Valley Trust. Maybe Charlie couldn’t prove his innocence, but by doing a little snooping, she might be able to sniff out the guilty party.

After hearing Charlie’s story, Kate wondered how the police were able to connect Troy Eaton with Charlie. Charlie had shaved off his mustache and lightened his hair to become Troy. He hadn’t looked much like Charles Mayer on the wanted poster or on the Internet photos. She had her suspicions but decided it wouldn’t hurt to ask.

Kate went into the police precinct and asked the receptionist if she could speak to the person who had arrested Charles Mayer.

Within a few minutes, a woman in a blue top and black slacks came out and reached for Kate’s hand. “Mrs. Hanlon, I’m Detective Jonas. You can call me Anna.” She had a nice smile and a pleasant demeanor. Kate guessed her to be in her midthirties. “I understand you wanted to ask me some questions about Charles Mayer?”

“I do.”

“Are you a reporter?”

Kate smiled. “Actually, I’m a minister’s wife. Kate Hanlon.”

“Okay.” Anna gave her an odd look and then invited her back to her office. “Have a seat and tell me what you want to know.”

Kate told her about how she’d met Troy Eaton, aka Charlie Mayer, and about her interest in the young man. “I’m wondering how you managed to recognize Troy as Charlie.”

Anna smiled. “I didn’t. We got a tip that Charles was at a local coffee shop filling out a job application. Someone text-messaged us and showed us a picture. They gave us a name and said he was wanted. I happened to be in the area, so I took the call.”

“You don’t happen to know who called, do you?”

“I think I know where you’re going with this.” She leaned back in her chair. “It felt like a setup to me, but it turned out he really was wanted, so I arrested him.”

“Did you try to find out who’d called you?”

“We did. It was one of those untraceable phones. The 911 operator said the voice sounded exaggerated and low. She guessed it was a male.” Anna rubbed a knuckle across her chin.

“Are you still investigating?”

“Unfortunately, no. The Pine Ridge DA feels they have enough on Charles to prosecute. I’ve had to move on to other cases.”

“Do you think Charlie is guilty?” Kate asked.

“My gut feeling? No. He seems like a nice kid, but you can’t argue with the evidence.”

Kate thanked her and left. She believed Charlie had been set up. Proving that might be way beyond her sleuthing abilities. Still, she had to try.

INSTEAD OF DRIVING straight home from Chattanooga, Kate headed to Pine Ridge and parked in the lot outside the Valley Trust and Mortgage building. It was getting late, 4:30 to be exact. Still, Kate felt an urgency to obtain as much information as possible.

She eyed the shiny black Cadillac Escalade parked a couple of spaces away. She’d seen it before, or one like it. A picture of a man in a cowboy hat darted through her mind, as did Joe Brainerd and his gun. Was this the same SUV she’d almost collided with as she was leaving the Brainerds’ place?

Did Joe know someone who worked here?

Kate tucked those thoughts into a cubby in the back of her mind to mull over later. Right now she needed to focus on why she’d come.

She shielded her eyes as sun glinted off the windows of the three-story building. In San Antonio, she’d have thought nothing of a building this size. Maybe her worldview changed a bit since meeting the homeless. Though there was certainly nothing wrong with riches, Kate couldn’t help but compare the opulence here to the trailer Marie lived in, and Aleeda’s car. Kate closed her eyes for a moment, willing her mind to avoid comparisons and seeming injustice and focus on what she needed to do to help Charlie.

Someone who worked here had stolen millions and implicated Charlie. One of the executives seeking to pad their pockets? Or someone like the janitor? The guard held open the door for her.

Kate smiled at him and stepped into the marble lobby. She must have paused a little too long because the guard, a tall young man, probably no older than Skip, came up to her.

“Can I help you?” His solemn features told her he took his job seriously. He stood straight like a soldier, clean shaven and square jawed.

“I’m here to see Mr. Woods.”

“He’s on the third floor.” The guard nodded and pointed to the right. “You’ll find the elevators right over there.”

Kate smiled and noted the name on his badge: Patrick Burns.

“Thank you, Patrick.” She hesitated, thinking it might not be a bad idea to chat with some of the nonexecutives and work her way up. She knew from experience that one could glean important details from the worker bees.

She shot him a warm smile. “Have you worked here long?”

“Since it was built.” A grin slipped out. “Before, actually. I did security on the construction site.”

“Impressive.” Here goes. Kate had no idea what kind of response she would get. She only hoped she wouldn’t get thrown out. “Then you must know Charlie Mayer.”

He sobered and stiffened. “Are you a cop or something?”

“Oh, heaven’s no. I’m Kate Hanlon. My husband is the minister at Faith Briar in Copper Mill.”

His features softened. “So why do you want to know about Charlie?”

“I’m a friend.”

“So am I.” He sighed and relaxed his stance. “And for the record, Charlie didn’t steal that money.”

“I believe you.” Kate placed a hand on his arm. “I’d like to help Charlie, and I think I can do that by interviewing people here. It’s good to know who his friends and enemies are. Maybe you can give me some names to start with.”

“Sure. Rosie, the receptionist, knows just about everything that goes on around here. I’d start with her. Of course, she didn’t steal the money...”

Kate readjusted her bag on her shoulder. “Did Charlie have any enemies?”

Patrick ran a hand through his dark, wavy hair. “I don’t know anybody who doesn’t like Charlie. Everyone was totally surprised when the news broke.”

“What about Ned Castile? Do you know anything about his disappearance?”

“No. We’re not supposed to talk about this stuff.”

“Thanks so much, Patrick.” She dug into her bag for a pen and notepad, jotted her name and number on a page, and handed it to him. “Please contact me if you think of anything that might help.”

“Sure.”

Kate walked across the marble floors to the bank of elevators. Each echoing footstep raised her anxiety level. Once in the glass elevator, she took several deep breaths as the car rose and stopped on the third floor.

The receptionist was the same young woman she’d seen the other day when she’d come in to talk with Sheila.

“Hi, Rosie.”

“Mrs. Hanlon?” She shot Kate a questioning look.

“That’s right. I’m surprised you remembered.”

“Sheila isn’t in this afternoon.”

“Actually, I’m not here to see Sheila.” Kate told her what she’d shared with Patrick. “I’m hoping we can talk. I’d like to learn some things about the people Charlie worked with.”

“Sure. I’m glad you’re into helping Charlie, but why would a minister’s wife be acting like a cop?”

“Good question.” Kate thought a moment. “I’m pretty good at solving puzzles. And I’m curious.”

“I don’t see how I can help you. But maybe Mr. Woods can. He and Charlie were pretty close. Mr. Castile could too, but he’s...not here.”

“Ned Castile is still missing, then?” Kate asked.

“Um...yeah. As far as I know.”

Kate had the feeling that Rosie didn’t want to talk with her. Not to be put off, Kate pressed on. “I’d like to talk to Mr. Woods, but I’d like to ask you a few questions too.”

“I really can’t right now. I have a bunch of memos to write before we close.”

“What if I came by tomorrow? Could you meet me for lunch?”

Rosie glanced toward the offices. “I guess that would be okay.”

Kate then realized that Rosie might not want to be seen talking to her. Was she afraid of being connected to Charlie? “Does Mr. Woods have time to see me today?”

“Let me check.”

She punched in his extension, and Kate could hear the phone ring.

“He’s not answering.” She frowned. “That’s funny; I was just talking to him. He must have gone out the back way.”

Kate nodded. “I’ll try to catch him tomorrow.”

Kate left, feeling more puzzled than when she’d come in. While Patrick seemed comfortable talking about his friend, Rosie clearly didn’t want to. And what had happened to Mr. Woods? Had he somehow overheard Kate’s conversation with Rosie?

Kate had a lot of work to do in interviewing potential suspects at Valley Trust and Mortgage. Hopefully she could learn more the next day.