LITMIR.BIZ

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rel="nofollow" href="#ud7ffeace-bb93-504a-b059-2397e042a133">CHAPTER SIX

      HIS WORLD HAD imploded at the sight of the icon. This was confirmation of the suspicion that had grown as he’d checked the records, hoping his father’s worsening dementia had been responsible for the unaccountable swings. Saying the words out loud enforced the actuality.

      He moved closer and typed in the heading on the plaque in his father’s home study, his fingers surprisingly steady in contrast to the agitation in his gut. Two screen changes and he had the answers he needed. And a whole new bunch of complications.

      Elbow on the desk, hand clenching his jaw and mouth, he gaped at the folder titles, anger building at the subterfuge of the man he’d admired. What the hell had he been planning?

      ‘Would you like me to leave while you examine the files?’

      He didn’t turn, couldn’t face her. Needing air and time to come to terms with the harsh reality in front of him, he pushed away from the desk, shot to his feet and swung away from her.

      ‘No. Close it down.’

      He strode out of both offices, his mind churning with distasteful words: fraud, embezzlement, jail. Ignoring the lift, he went to the stairwell and headed down. There was no more doubt, no more hope of technical glitches, or outside scamming.

      If he reported what they’d found his father would be investigated. If he didn’t...not an option. He’d fight like hell to save the company and his new enterprise with Duncan but the appropriate authorities had to be informed. Whatever the cost to his own personal reputation, everything had to be open and above board.

      He wasn’t sure how many floors he pounded down and up again. As his head and his options became clearer, he realised he’d left Lauren in the lurch. She’d succeeded in the task he’d given her, and he’d growled and walked out. Had she left? Would she equate him with his father?

      His angst eased a little when he found her sitting by the window in her office writing in a small notebook. She raised her head and he gazed into sweet hazel eyes, full of compassion and offered with complete sincerity. A haven from the tempest.

      * * *

      Lauren sat stunned after he’d barked out the order to shut down and stormed out. He hadn’t even glanced at her, just bolted.

      After closing down and writing out instructions to access the files, she went for a drink of water, pondering her future, which might be closer than she’d expected. She’d done the job, found what the anomalies hid. Not knowing what the folders contained, she assumed they’d need to be audited, and that wasn’t her expertise.

      Did this change his invitation for Saturday night? Would she be starting her exploration of rural South Australia earlier than anticipated? She was no longer required so why didn’t she feel the usual elation of success? The bubble of enthusiasm for the next assignment?

      She took a notebook from her bag and tried to makes notes and failed. Her mind was on the distraught man who was trying to come to terms with his father’s deceit. This was a major blow for him. He deserved privacy to come to terms with tangible proof of his father’s duplicity and the fallout effects to his family.

      His entrance was as abrupt as his departure. He paused for a second in the doorway then walked slowly towards her, midnight-blue eyes dark and unsure of his reception. Her skin tingled, and her heart somersaulted. She trembled as she met his gaze, stood and dropped the book and pen onto the chair.

      He took her hands and squeezed them, his Adam’s apple convulsing, and his mouth opening and shutting without sound. Slowly, gently he caressed up her arms to hold her shoulders, and inched closer. He stroked her cheek, caught a strand of her hair and twined it round his finger. When she placed a hand on his chest, he shuddered.

      If Lauren’s heart swelled an atom larger, it would burst from her body. Heat spiralled from deep in her belly, drying her throat, searing her from within. He evoked feelings she’d never have believed herself capable of, made her aware of a physical wanting she’d only read of in books. He coloured her dreams in brilliant shades and sunshine.

      His eyes were searching for her soul and she couldn’t look away. Mesmerised by their power, she leant forward in a mirror image to his movement. Stilled when he straightened up, a guttural sound coming from deep in his throat. His hands dropped to his sides, leaving her cold where his fingers had been.

      ‘I... This... Hell.’ Forceful. Passionate. ‘I’d planned for a special lunch with you so we could talk.’

      He rubbed the back of his neck and his face contorted as he stared at the computer.

      ‘I have to deal with this now and find out what he’s done.’

      She understood the battle he was fighting—his family’s good name was in jeopardy—but it hurt. She felt as if she’d been dismissed. Gathering up her pen and book, she moved to the desk for her bag and took a sheet of paper from the top drawer.

      ‘These are the access instructions.’ She put it on the desk top, Had to get out before she broke down and cried.

      ‘Lauren?’ The anguish in his voice tore at her heart. She turned and saw a different battle in his eyes, one that clogged her throat and tripped her heartbeat.

      ‘Thank you. I may not seem grateful at the moment but I do appreciate all you’ve done.’ He gestured at the computer. ‘If possible we’ll have lunch tomorrow or Friday.’

      ‘I’d like that.’ Much, much more than like.

      ‘There can’t be much you don’t know or haven’t guessed so you must know the ramifications could send us under.’

      The potency had gone from his voice, giving him an endearing vulnerability, making her care for him even more. With his strong will, it would only be a temporary effect of the devastating blow.

      ‘If there’s anything I can do.’ She moved forward until she inhaled his cologne. She was so going to miss the fragrance. The walks she always enjoyed along windswept beaches, especially prior to an impending storm, were going to be a mixture of pleasure and pain for ever.

      His rueful smile made her long to wrap her arms around him for comfort.

      ‘I’m sure there will be at some stage. There’s nothing now so take a few hours off.’

      When she left he was talking on his mobile, an open file on her screen in front of him.

      * * *

      The size of the hidden program astounded Matt. There were accumulated folders and files dating back six years, money transferred in, none out. He studied names and figures, made calls to his accountant, lawyer and Alan. No amount of trying could curb the resentment at his father’s deception beginning long before the onset of his dementia.

      Cheating was unjustified, in any form. Marcus, acquaintances, even friends deemed nothing wrong with bending rules or breaking promises. A few months ago he’d let himself be fooled by a scheming woman, and had been on the verge of pledging his life and honour to her. She’d claimed to love him, a blatant lie.

      Now he was more cynical, and had no faith in romantic declarations. He’d make that clear before entering into any relationship. No emotions, no lies, and nobody got hurt.

      Which meant no involvement with Lauren. She was a for-ever kind of girl who’d weave romantic dreams around kisses and...hell, again he’d come so close to kissing her today.

      It might be for the best that she’d be leaving soon. It wouldn’t be until he was sure there was nothing else hidden, and not until he’d treated her to a night she’d always remember.

      He clicked the mouse, and rechecked the folder list. He’d need hard-drive copies of everything plus paper copies of the folder list, maybe others. Lauren’s help would be invaluable as he dealt with any authorities who’d have an interest in any aspect of the clandestine accounts.

      Bracing himself, he accessed

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