Letters from Peaceful Lane (New Americana 3)

“Hello, Monica,” Allison said. “Is something special going on today?”

One carefully penciled eyebrow twitched upward. “I wouldn’t call it special. Just Mr. Kaplan and Mr. Zacharias here to look over the bids for the theater. They’re meeting in Mr. Miles’s office, so they won’t disturb you. You’ll be able to review those contracts in peace.”

“Thanks.” Allison nodded. So much for sneaking into Garrett’s office to look for the contract. She still had Burke’s keys in her purse. Maybe she’d be better off staying after closing time or coming back at night.

“Oh, just so you’ll be aware,” Monica said. “We had a security alarm with a motion sensor installed this morning. The Edgeway people ordered and paid for it. It’s to be turned on whenever the office is closed. Not that you’d have any reason to come in after hours.”

“No, of course not.” Scratch that idea, Allison thought. She was about to walk away when another thought occurred to her.

“Does anyone in the office happen to be a notary?” she asked. “A friend of mine needs her will notarized, and I thought maybe . . .” Allison let the words trail off.

“I’m a notary,” Monica said. “It’ll be useful, with all the contract work we’ll be doing here. But I’m not in the habit of doing favors for people’s friends. Tell her to go to her bank. Somebody there should be able to help her.”

“Thank you, I will.” Allison turned and walked away, past the cubicles and down the hall. Burke’s office—temporarily hers—was open, the desk piled with more contracts to review and add to the database. The next door, the one to Garrett’s office, was closed. She could hear male voices through the wall but couldn’t make out anything that was being said.

So much for her daring, dangerous spy mission.

* * *

At least she’d learned that Monica could have notarized the fake signature on the document. That, in itself, proved nothing. Copying Burke’s scrawling signature would have been easy. He had signed most of these contracts. And Edgeway probably had access to a skilled forger. But what about the date? If the signature had been dated during the time Burke was in the hospital, on painkillers, that would be a red flag.

As Allison worked, she tried to imagine what would happen if Burke were to get the bank loan. Would Edgeway fold their cards and leave, or would they take the fake agreement and dig in, forcing Burke to take them to court in a case that could delay the remodeling for months, causing the theater to miss the profitable spring season and the loan payments to fall into default?

It appeared that Edgeway’s original intent had been to block the bank loan, leaving Burke with no choice except to take on his new partners. The forged agreement would enable them to get bids and start the remodeling while they waited for Burke to give in and accept the inevitable.

Now, if Burke were to get the loan, the complications could be just as bad, or even worse.

There was only one sure way to save the situation—prove criminal intent on the part of Garrett and Edgeway. And that, Allison knew, would be up to her.

She worked uninterrupted until about three thirty. She was thinking about a break when she heard the door to Garrett’s office open, followed by the sound of approaching footsteps and the murmur of male voices. An instant later, Garrett stepped into her office, followed by two men. Allison recognized Kaplan, the lawyer. The bigger, older man in the tailored Italian suit would be Zacharias.

As Allison rose to take their handshakes, Garrett made the introductions. “Gentlemen, this is Allison Caldwell, the newest member of our team. She’ll be bringing her husband on board as soon as he’s recovered. Allison, you’ve already met Joe. Theo Zacharias here is the big boss, so be nice to him.”

“I’m sure you’re always nice, Allison.” Zacharias’s voice was startlingly deep, his hand huge. “Welcome aboard.”

“We’re breaking to go and eat,” Garrett said. “Monica will be here in case you need anything.”

“I’ll be fine, thanks. Enjoy your meal.” Allison took her seat again as the men left.

From down the hall she heard Zacharias’s booming voice. “Are you crazy, Garrett, bringing Burke Caldwell’s wife in here?”

“Relax,” Garrett said. “Allison’s on our side. If anybody can talk Burke into becoming a team player, she can.”

“And if she can’t?” The stentorian voice was fading. Garrett’s reply was too faint to hear. But the thought of how he might have answered sent a chill through her body.

Once she was sure the men were gone, Allison rose and walked down the hall to the restroom. Coming out, she could hear Monica talking to her friend on the phone. That giggle was as annoying as fingernails scratching a blackboard, but at least it told her that the receptionist was occupied.

Stepping softly, she paused outside the closed door to Garrett’s office. If the three men had left without putting important papers away, she might be lucky enough to find what she needed.

Allison had worn a loose-fitting jacket with pockets that would hold her phone. Now she took the phone out of her pocket. Her pulse skipped as her free hand tried the doorknob.

The knob didn’t budge. The door was locked. And she already knew that she didn’t have the key. The two large keys on Burke’s key ring opened the front door and his office. Unless Garrett had switched the office keys, too . . .

Racing back into her office, she found Burke’s keys in her purse and tried again. But neither of the large keys on the ring would open Garrett’s door. She was out of luck. And Monica was no longer talking on the phone.

Spirits sagging, she slunk back into Burke’s office, sat down at the desk and picked up the next contract in the stack. She was still working when the three men returned at four fifteen. They went into Garrett’s office and closed the door behind them. They were still inside at five, when Allison logged off the computer and left for home. Her efforts to find the forged contract had come to nothing. But at least Burke would be relieved that she was safe.

* * *