He’s quiet for so long I check my phone to make sure the phone call didn’t drop. “I’ll handle this. Good job.” With a click, he’s gone.
Chapter Twelve
Fucking hell! I go through what Holly has shown me and do the same searches to confirm, as she had done. I call my private investigator and tell him what I need. He promises to get right back to me. Going through, I total everything. I’m pissed, she’s stolen forty-two thousand dollars over the past four years. This bitch has stolen from the wrong man.
The other partners are able to conference with me immediately. As I never call a conference, I’m sure it’s mainly out of curiosity. I tell them what I’m going to do. I’m telling them out of respect, they know I’m not asking. Leonard Harker, a partner retiring in a week, gives me my first good news of the day. I can have his secretary when he leaves. Opal is the best damned secretary here, I thank him for the offer, letting him know I’ll ask her. Back in my office, I make two calls and call in a favor. My guy has faxed over the documentation I need.
Fifteen minutes later, I get the call from main reception, they are on their way up. Seconds later two uniformed CPD officers are handcuffing Sharon while reading her rights to her. I watch from my office, satisfied at the sight. Printing out everything I have, I go downstairs to follow the police car.
Once I get inside, I hand over everything, making it clear I want to press charges. I also make it clear I won’t settle for anything less than jail time. Mitchell Ryan, the prosecutor who will be handling the case, tells me good news, there was a previous conviction under her maiden name. With that, he can get me the jail time I want, he’ll offer a plea deal of five years and restitution. Even though I know she’ll likely only serve half that, and I’ll likely never see a dime, I’m satisfied.
It’s a little after six by the time I’m ready to leave the station. I call Holly. “Get dressed, wear one of those new dresses. We’re going out to celebrate.”
“You confirmed it and fired her?”
“Not just fired. She’s going to jail.”
A gasp, “Jail? I feel awful.”
“You shouldn’t. Sharon is a thief, not you. Who knows how many others she stole from? Now she’ll have it on her record for the next person who considers hiring her. I’ll be home in about a half hour.”
“Ethan, I’m sure I don’t have anything nice enough to go out with you.”
“If you don’t find something then I will. Finding out I’ve been robbed and putting the person away has me feeling in the mood to celebrate.”
Her sigh is loud. “All right, I’ll find something.”
When I get home, the door to her room is closed. I knock, I hear her muffled voice tell me to give her another ten minutes. Looking down at my suit, I make the decision to change my shirt and tie. In my closet, I change out of my snow-white shirt for another. Then exchange my blue striped tie for a gray tie to match my suit. Opening my door, I watch as Holly walks out of her room.
My cock salutes the dress she picked out and her straightened hair. The dress is a shift dress in a dark red, stopping a prim two inches above her knees with a three quarter sleeve that goes to her elbow. She’s not just pretty, she’s beautiful to me with her smile wide as she sees me. While the dress isn’t a big label, she makes it look like one, it’s stunning on her. Shit, my stomach knots at how much I want her.
“You should allow Amelia to take you shopping more often. Not only does she have good taste, she can talk you into dresses you’d never buy yourself.”
“I have good taste.” She defends herself.
“You like the White Sox, I already know you have good taste. I also know you’d never allow yourself to buy a dress that nice.”
Shrugging, she nods. “Money was always tight in a three children home in the military, with a stay at home mother. The idea of spending money on myself is hard to do still.”
“Let’s go.” I’m staring, longing to touch her curves. Downstairs, I make sure to open her door before Ricky gets to it. The drive to Goldfinches is quick. I haven’t been in a while. It’s one of my favorite places to have dinner though.
The menu is a wide variety leaning toward a steakhouse, still, it has almost everything, including fish. I order my usual a side salad with house dressing, my main entrée is steak, rosemary covered roasted potatoes, and asparagus even though I’m not a fan of asparagus. I’m not a fan of green vegetables at all really; spinach is one of the few vegetables I’ll eat, usually uncooked.
Holly selects a side salad with house dressing. Her main entrée is salmon with sides of parmesan encrusted French green beans and wild rice. The waiter is staring down her scoop-necked dress and I give him a look. He’s gone in an instant.
“Give me a hint. Is it animal, vegetable or mineral?”
“I’m not talking about my stupid tattoo. Since we’re out because I did good, you have to answer my questions. Why did you become a lawyer?”
She’s sincerely curious. I debate whether to be honest or not. Looking into her soft sherry brown eyes, I go with honesty. “I wanted a degree I could use in almost any high power position. Lawyers are sitting in investment houses, head corporations, and a wide variety of industries.”
“You wanted to make a lot of money to get to a position of power.” It’s no question.
“Yes.”
Her eyebrows are up. “Why?”
“My father told me I would never amount to anything. I wanted to prove him wrong.”