Mind Play (Bennett Sisters Book 3) Read Online Free Page B

and stretched, leaning back . “What’s the problem with your books ?”
    “After I left last night, something happened to some of the money. I’ve been checking it line by line against the bank deposit , and it seems some of the checks are missing. I’m almost through with the ledger , and so far I’ve narr owed it down to five checks and some cash.” Trying to find the missing funds irked Claire. She liked everything neat and organized , and that ledger wasn’t one of them.
    “Are you sure you actually received the checks ? W ho had access to the deposit ?” Mike asked from across the room.
    “I’m sure we had them . I remember receiving at least two of them personally . As far as access, Jenny put the money in my office until this morning and took it to the bank after they opened . Only the two of us handled it. ”
    Abby quit rocking, stood up lightly , swaying the baby back and forth as Sam walked to her side.
    “So anyone that was at the party could have taken it. Did you read Jenny’s mind to see if she ’s the one with sticky fingers?” Sam cocked an eyebrow.
    Claire crossed her arms over her chest. “No, and I’m not going to. I’m sure there ’s a reasonable explanation.” She knew that Jenny wasn’t responsible. Heck, she was the one who ’d pointed it out.
    Sam held up his hands in surrender . “Don’t be defensive; you forget that I was FBI before coming to work for Jake.”
    Butch strode through the door carrying a fast food bag and a milkshake and handed it to Emma. “Thank you, t hank you, t hank you . ” Emma pushed herself up off the bed and stood on tiptoes , planting a kiss on Butch’s cheek.
    “He’s right; I’d start there and narrow down the suspects . L ook at all of the people who were still there when you left. Have you checked the surveillance tapes?”
    Claire hadn ’t thought someone might have stolen the money ; she’d assumed it was a clerical error. She guessed she needed to start looking into other alternatives if she had any hopes of figuring this out since she wasn’t getting anywhere with the books .
    “Not yet, but I will.” She gave Butch a genuine smile . “Thanks.”
    Jake walked over to her and threw his arm around her shoulder . “With the luck you Bennett girls have, I think you’re going to need help.” Jake turned his gaze to Butch with an incorrigible grin on his face . “You’ve got your new assignment.”
    Claire crossed her arms over her chest and boldly met Jake’s gaze . “You’ve got to be joking. I don’t need a bodyguard. ” Claire gestured toward Butch. “ I need a forensic accountant , m aybe even a surveill ance wizard to review the tapes, but not a bodyguard. I’m not in any physical danger. ”
    Jake laughed. He’d actually laughed at her. “Well , honey, you’ve got him. What do you think Butch did before coming to work for me? Butch is the second best tech guy on my team —after me of course— not only with just electronics, but finding out the facts and tracing the money. How do you think we found all of the drug money in those Swiss accounts from our last big bust? ”
    Claire stood in silence and swung her gaze to ward Butch , hoping that Jake was telling a fib . “He’s kidding , right?”
    “Sorry , angel , he’s telling you the truth.” Butch looked over at Jake and nodded his nonverbal agreement . “I’m going to walk Claire to her car . W hen I come back up, we can discuss a plan of action.”
    “This is ludicrous .” Claire stomped her foot. She knew she was acting like Abby had been acting only minutes ago with t he i r brother, but why were they insisting that Butc h was going to be her savior ? Didn’t they know she’d figure this out o n her own ? S he always had . She’d been just fine before she met him and didn’t need him now.
    “No , it’s not , angel . Come on.” He put his arm around her shoulders and led her reluctantly from the