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Ideas flew back and forth while the foursome tried to get a handle on what could have happened. Hours passed. With a big question mark around Barbara Shady, they decided to wait until Kate and Danny were able to dig up more information on her. Danny said the woman’s entire demeanor and her reactions from the time he entered the HOA Board meeting still niggled at him.
“That was the first time I met her, so maybe that’s just the way she is. But I tell you, she set off something in my internal radar. To me, all of her actions seemed choreographed. Trust me, I’ve been through enough cases to know when something feels off balance.”
Kate said, “I know what you mean. Working to uncover all these frauds, I get that too. It’s like a sixth sense. Of course, in this case, I can’t really give any concrete conclusions until I know more.”
He and Kate were deep in discussion about it while Cameron observed their body language with an educated eye to see if there might be more than a professional discussion afoot. She really hoped they would connect. But, first things first.
Garrett said, “There is one thing that we’re not paying enough attention to. It seems we all have suspicions about the missing Mrs. Shady, so let’s follow that path for a while. She could be hiding because of fear, she could have been kidnapped, or in the worst-case scenario, she could be part of the problem. How many Board members have authority to sign on the bank account besides her? According to the report she read, pending the payments for the repairs to the canals, our HOA has several million dollars in the reserve account. Is there a limit on what she can withdraw? Just sayin’. Does she provide copies of the bank statements in addition to her reports—I’m assuming as Treasurer she is the one who gets the bank statements. Is that correct?”
Strangely enough, Cameron realized no one on the Board had ever asked to see the statements after Barbara took over. Not even her. She was so glad that Danny and Kate were involved, and she could see by the Colonel’s expression that he was probably thinking the same thing. Those two looked at things as though they were under a microscope. She wondered if and when any of the Board members would have considered the money being a possible motive if left on their own. Finally, she decided certain things might be as obvious as the proverbial nose on your face, but still you don’t see them.
The silence in the room was only broken by sound from the outside. People walking along the path outside Cameron’s house speaking in loud tones, a sort of whoosh from a sudden wind, ducks quacking in the canal. What Danny Garrett had just referred to was so damned obvious. Cameron got up from the sofa and began pacing back and forth while mumbling, “Of course. This could have to do with money. A lot of it.”
“Okay, Danny, since you brought it up, the only other person with access to our accounts is Matt.”
The Colonel shook his head. “Amazing that none of us thought about that. I guess we were so shocked by the disappearance and supposed robbery. And then, the discovery of poor Al’s dead body. I say poor Al even though I couldn’t stand the guy. I guess that’s what you do when someone dies violently. This is like living in the middle of one of those TV detective shows, but it’s real and I’m the only one of us who hasn’t solved some case in the past.”
They were all left to ponder Barbara’s role in the whole gruesome matter. Was she involved or was she a victim in danger? The next step wasn’t hard to figure out. They had to call Matt and include him, if only because he had access to the bank accounts. It was decided that Cameron should be the one to place the call.
She took her cell off the side table and pressed the link that dialed Matt’s number. After a few rings, he answered with “Matt Darwin speaking.”
“Matt, I know it’s a little late, but could you possibly come over to my house? I’m here with Danny Garrett, the Colonel and my friend Kate Steele. As you know, Danny is former FBI and my friend is the CEO of FraudBusters. We are going over this horrible situation about the Shadys and realized you might be able to help us sort some things out.” As an afterthought she decided to add a light tone. “After all, you play a detective in the movies and on TV. This is a chance for you to get involved for real. Can you?”
The actor had been taken by surprise but said of course he would be over. “Anything to help. Just give me ten minutes or so.”
While they were waiting for Matt, talk turned to Kate’s business. Danny wanted to know more about it. She filled him in on two recent cases. Cameron noticed that Kate kept running her hand through her flowing auburn hair, and flashing smiles while speaking. As for Garrett, he leaned in while she was talking. His body language changed, too. Maybe, just maybe, when this was finished they would get together.
The Colonel said, “Careful what you say to Matt. If you mention the movie, he’ll probably want to see the script for the pilot so he can try to snag a part. Even though he’s on top, as I understand it you’re only as good as your last movie in that business.”
They were interrupted by a knock at the door. Matt stood framed in the doorway, every inch the movie idol. He wore faded jeans, a tight-fitting black tee molded to his taut body. On his feet were loafers without socks. Every hair of his salon-perfect hairstyle was in place. How did he do that with the wind blowing? Jokingly, he said, “Reporting for my scene. Seriously, what a mess this is. When Al didn’t show up at the meeting, who ever thought he would turn up dead. And, in the canal, no less. I haven’t heard anything about Barbara. Have you?”
The Colonel said, “That’s part of what we want to talk about. Have a seat.”
Cameron asked if she could get him a drink. When he thanked her but declined, she remembered hearing a rumor that he had done a stint in rehab for alcoholism and was sorry she had offered.