Once the eager beaver left, Beth’s courage flagged. Why was she purposely goading her boss? She liked working for Nate…just as long as the work wasn’t in Natchez. Folding her hands in her lap, she attempted a conciliatory smile. “Nothing. Everything’s good with me.” Neither the smile nor the response did the trick.
“Sorry, Beth. The time has come to get this off your chest.” Nate rolled his chair away from his desk.
“I didn’t mean to come off so argumentative. I was just wondering how I would babysit Wonder Boy when I have an open case in Vicksburg.”
Nate’s frown intensified. “As we discussed Thursday morning, your case in Vicksburg should be wrapping up by now. We have to be where the work is. Second, his name is Michael Preston. Mike, if you prefer. Mikey, if he permits it. Nothing else will be tolerated from you while you’re in my employ. I am asking you to help train our new man in my absence. If you’re half the professional you claim to be, this shouldn’t be a problem.”
Beth straightened in her chair. The conversation had gone from bad to worse. She’d better pull a rabbit from her hat or she would join the unemployment line on Monday. “I stand corrected regarding Mr. Preston’s name and also my duties while you’re gone.”
“Good.” Nate relaxed his grip on the chair. “Michael brings plenty of talent to the agency. His skills in forensic accounting are what we need to land good-paying clients. So unless you have a trust fund from Daddy or a magic money tree in your backyard, that’s how businesses make payroll month after month.”
“Understood. For the record, my dad still works the second shift at Home Depot, and all we have are oaks and magnolias.”
“Let’s be clear about something else too. This agency won’t waste a dime of Mrs. Dean’s money. If there’s some type of malfeasance, we’ll get to the bottom of it, but if you and Michael determine this was a suicide triggered by the pastor’s guilt, we’ll return the remainder of the advance.”
“I wasn’t questioning your ethics, Nate.”
“Then Michael is your problem? Everyone has to start somewhere. The guy has been taking classes for months. What he needs is practical, hands-on training.”
“Do you really think Michael is cut out for PI work?”
“He believes he is, and the will to succeed is three-fourths of the battle.” Nate scraped a hand down his jaw. “I’m trying to understand you, Beth. Paul Dean was your pastor while growing up. Didn’t you like him? Don’t you want to make sure law enforcement didn’t jump to the wrong conclusion?”
Beth picked at her cuticle. “I did like him. I used to babysit for their daughter ten years ago. They are…were a nice family. If somebody killed Reverend Dean, I want the creep thrown in jail.”
“So we’re back to Michael as the stumbling block. I think he’s a nice guy. But even if you don’t, you’ll only have to work with him a few weeks. Once Isabelle and I are back, I’ll find separate corners for you to play in. Surely you must have dealt with difficult men at the Natchez Police Department.”
If Beth had seen that coming, she might have been better prepared. Unfortunately, she flinched as though stung by a hornet.
“So we have reached the crux of the matter. Natchez is the problem.”
“I’ve spent my entire life here. Is it so hard to believe I want a change of scenery? You and Isabelle are unique. You worked in New Orleans, while she lived in both Nashville and Memphis. Most folks never look over their shoulder when they leave, let alone move back to where they grew up.”
Nate shrugged. “Everybody’s different, but we’re talking about you. When I asked you about your former employment, you implied you left town on good terms. You resigned simply to spare someone on the police force embarrassment. You weren’t fired, and no charges were brought by internal affairs.”
“All true, but plenty of men on the force are still resentful about my promotion to detective.”
“Jealousy exists everywhere people work. I’m sure even Avon ladies squabble over territories and advancements.”
“Yeah, but most Avon ladies aren’t accused of sleeping their way up the ranks.”
“That’s what was said about you?”
“By some in the department, yes. And just for the record, it wasn’t true. I never had an affair with the boss or anyone else for that matter.”
Nate nodded his head. “Often rather innocent work situations are misconstrued by those with corrupt minds.”
“Yes, but this wasn’t completely misconstrued. The chief had been my mentor, and we became friends…close friends. I would have moved heaven and earth to marry the guy. When he saw where things were headed, he stopped spending time with me. See how good that mentoring relationship worked?” She forced a laugh.
“You fell in love with the chief of police?”
“I’m a bit of a cliché. He liked me, and we both liked working together, but in the end I made a first-class fool of myself.”
“People often behave irrationally when their hearts take over.”
“Yes, but my promotion had been lined up before I started flirting with the boss.”
“Workplace romances seldom turn out well.”
“I wasn’t worried at first. After all, we were just friends. Then I fell head over heels in love.” Beth dropped her face into her hands. “I was raised to be a nice girl, and I behaved foolishly.” Beth pressed on her stomach, which roiled from far too much coffee.
“If you say nothing happened, then I believe you. Eventually, everyone whose opinion matters will too.”
“Boss, you should moonlight as a shrink when business gets slow.”
Nate rose to his feet with a laugh. “Isabelle would probably disagree.”
“I don’t know why I’m spilling my guts to you other than my pastor is six feet under.” Beth burst into tears.
Nate waited patiently for her composure to return. “I don’t mind hearing your confession, Beth, but why would you ask for a job knowing we often work with local law enforcement?”
It was a logical question. Unfortunately, her answer was as lame as her rationale for bad behavior. “Because I couldn’t bear the idea of never seeing him again. I didn’t come to my senses until I’d been in Vicksburg for a while.” She forced herself to meet his eye. “Honestly, I’m over my infatuation, but I’m not sure if Natchez PD is willing to work with me. How effectively can I train Michael if my presence hobbles the investigation?”
“We’re back to where we started. For the next three weeks, throw yourself into the case. Give it your best effort. When I get back, we’ll have a better grasp of the future. Maybe you’ll want to keep working for me and maybe you won’t. Just try not to kill Michael while I’m gone.” Nate glanced at his watch. “Right now, I need to get my oil changed and tires rotated. We’re hitting the highway first thing in the morning. Call me tonight after you’ve talked to Mrs. Dean.”
Beth followed him out the door. “Thanks, for your faith in me. I haven’t exactly been employee of the month in the cooperation department.”
“That’s for sure.” He smiled to soften the words. “Give Mike a chance, will ya? He might just surprise you.”
“Have a good time with Isabelle,” Beth called as they separated in the parking lot. “Watch out for jellyfish, don’t get sunburned, and take plenty of pictures.”
With a wave Nate drove away. Beth stared into space long after he left. Was she completely over Christopher McNeil? And more to the point, could she work with her former nemeses in Homicide if Pastor Dean really had been murdered?
Ready or not, she was about to find out.