“Zara, my name is Ryan Mercer. I’m a licensed private investigator calling out of Portland. Do you have a moment?”
My spine went rigid. This couldn’t possibly be good.
“A private investigator?” I repeated, forcing a small laugh. Cormac’s gaze on me sharpened. “That sounds…dramatic.”
A soft chuckle met my attempt at levity. “I promise it’s far less exciting than movies would have you believe. You’re not in any trouble, and I don’t own a trench coat. I just have a few questions regarding a former business associate of yours, Jackson Hale.”
The kitchen suddenly felt smaller.
Cormac set his beer down quietly.
“I’m not married to Jackson anymore,” I said carefully. “And no longer have anything to do with his business.”
“Yes, I’m aware,” Mercer replied smoothly. “Again, this isn’t about your personal life. My client was an investor in Mr. Hale’s company. He’s attempting to reconcile certain discrepancies in the financial reporting and hoped you might be willing to provide clarification.”
“Discrepancies?” I echoed.
“Accounting ones,” he clarified. “Numbers not quite lining up. As I understand it, you handled internal financial documentation.”
“I prepared internal summaries,” I explained. “I didn’t control or have access to investor funds.”
“And that’s exactly the kind of distinction we’re hoping to understand,” he replied. “My client simply wants to know what happened to his investment. We’re not accusing anyone of anything. I’m gathering information.”
Cormac was watching me, barely blinking.
“I don’t know what I can tell you,” I said, tightness creeping into my voice.
“That’s why I’m calling you,” Mercer responded gently. “I think you can tell me quite a bit. Cooperation tends to make these matters resolve more…efficiently.”
My pulse ticced in my ears.
“Is your client pursuing legal action?”
“My client is exploring his options. At this stage, we’re simply gathering facts. I’d very much prefer to note in my report you were open and forthcoming. It tends to reflect well.”
Reflect well.
It wasn’t a threat.
It wasn’tnota threat either.
“I’m in Wyoming,” I said.
“I’m aware of that.”
That landed harder than anything else. He knew where I was? Had he been looking for me?
“To make things easier for us both, I can fly out to you. That is, if you’d be comfortable meeting in person. I find these conversations are clearer face-to-face. We could have coffee. There’s a shop in your town, Sugar Rush. What would you say to a meeting there?”
This was…not anything I had expected. I’d left Jackson’s company more than six months ago. Why was this coming up now?
“I need to think about it.”
“Of course.” His tone never wavered. “I’ll send you my credentials via email so you can verify them. I want you to feel entirely at ease, Zara. My client’s only interest is the truth.”
When I didn’t say anything, he added, “Thank you for your time. I look forward to speaking with you.”
I lowered the phone slowly, and Cormac stepped closer, reaching around me to turn off the burners on the stove. Then he placed his hands on my shoulders, drawing my attention to him.