LITMIR.BIZ

       Chapter 2

      Sinking down in the passenger seat, Layla started laughing as soon as they exited the police station parking lot. She couldn’t help it, even though she realized her inexplicable mirth bordered on hysteria.

      She laughed until tears ran down her cheeks, until exhaustion made her catch her breath. As she wound down, Hunter handed her a box of tissues. “Here,” he said. “I keep them in the car just in case. You never know when you’ll need them.”

      Grateful, she accepted. After wiping her eyes and what little mascara remained, she blew her nose and took a deep breath. “Sorry about that,” she told him, meaning it. “I really don’t know what came over me.”

      “It’s okay.” He glanced sideways at her. “People do strange things when under stress.”

      Grateful for his easy acceptance, she settled more comfortably in her seat as she rattled off her address. “Though I guess I should have you take me back to Colton Energy to get my car.”

      “I think you’re too upset to drive,” he said.

      After a moment, she agreed. “It’s been pretty crazy lately, even before this,” she admitted. “I mean, who would have thought our town would have a serial killer? And what a strange one, singling out men about to get married.”

      “Yeah. It is bizarre. And in addition to the grim reality of murder, there’s damage to the local economy. With all the weddings that have been placed on hold, lots of our local small businesses are suffering. Your sister’s bridal salon is in danger of going out of business. I’ve heard that returns and outright cancellations have destroyed Bea’s cash flow. And of course the wedding planners and caterers, like Good Eats, are struggling to pay their bills.”

      They reached the downtown area. Due to the hour, the streets were deserted. A light snow had fallen earlier, just enough to dust everything with white, so the sidewalks appeared pristine and untouched. When she’d been younger, Layla had loved to leave the first set of footprints in fresh snow. She knew even now, when they reached her town house, she’d take a private delight in walking from the parking lot to her front door.

      “It would be a shame if all those mom-and-pop stores went under,” he continued. “They’re hardworking people, good folks, and I hate to see that happen to them.”

      Again, her stomach twisted. Though she tried to keep everything bottled up inside, her stress level had her feeling as if something might blow at any moment. “It’s crazy,” she agreed. “We’re so close to Thanksgiving, and we’ve got some murderer running around killing off grooms. Everyone is scared.”

      “Are you?”

      Without hesitation, she nodded. “I am. Colton Energy is in trouble, too.” What had caused her to blurt this truth out, she wasn’t sure. But she felt better having actually said it out loud. “That’s why I agreed to marry Hamlin Harrington. He’s promised my father a fresh influx of money.”

      “An arranged marriage?” He sounded so shocked.

      “He’s wanted me for years.” As if that justified it. While she knew how it appeared, she didn’t see where she had a choice.

      “Layla, he’s twice your age.”

      With a nervous laugh, she discounted that statement. “Not really. He is quite a bit older, though. But it’ll be fine. I’ll do anything to save the family business. Marrying Hamlin will do that, as long as the wedding goes off without a hitch by the end of the year.”

      He signaled a right turn onto her street and shot her a curious glance. “Why the time constraint?”

      Taking a deep breath before answering, she considered swearing him to secrecy. If she told him the truth, she’d be letting him in on something only very few people knew. “Will you keep this between us?” she asked.

      “Of course.”

      For whatever reason, she trusted him to keep his word.

      “If Colton Energy doesn’t get that cash by the end of the year, there’s no help for us. We’ll have to file bankruptcy and most likely close our doors.” She bit her lip before continuing. “Not only will many people be out of work, but we won’t be able to continue to help fund my pet project, the police K9 unit and training center.” All of her father’s wives had been strong supporters of the K9 unit and training center, including Layla’s late mother. Trusts had been left by her and her half sisters’ mothers to keep the unit and center going, and when those trusts ran out, Fenwick had stepped up. Now, unless her marriage to Hamlin went on, the K9 unit and training center would be in as much jeopardy as Colton Energy.

      Her words hung there in the air between them as Hunter pulled into her parking lot and up next to the curb in front of her town house. Turning in his seat to face her, he scratched his head. “Layla, the K9 training center is now completely self-sufficient, thanks to K9 chief Finn Colton, who came up with a plan. Once the center started training dogs for police departments all over the country, they quickly got out of the red. A fully trained police dog goes for over ten thousand dollars.”

      Stunned, she wasn’t sure how to respond. With the truth, she supposed. “I didn’t know. That entire thing is under my father’s control. He never told me about that.” In fact, he’d led her to believe the opposite. He talked about the K9 training center as if it was a money pit, draining Colton Energy dry. This made her wonder what else he might have misdirected her on.

      “You were the VP of finance and accounting,” she said. “I know it’s been a while since you left, but what—in your opinion—was the biggest drain on Colton Energy’s finances?”

      He only stared at her. “You should already know that. You’re executive VP of everything.”

      Of course, he had no way of knowing how empty her title truly was. “Not really, though that’s a general misconception. While I am in charge of several departments, my primary duties are more in sales and marketing,” she said. “I oversee our sales force and step in when necessary to help get corporate contracts for companies that want to break away from traditional energy and do something more earth friendly and renewable.” She managed her normal professional smile as she recited the spiel she knew by heart. “I also oversee the payroll department and human resources. My father still oversees the accounting department and has the final say on any big decisions.”

      “But you have access to the books, right?”

      Put that way... “No,” she admitted. “I haven’t seen the books. I’m thinking I should take a look.”

      His sideways glance was telling. “Since you’re head of HR, were you the one who hired Mark Hatton?”

      Right

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