Challenging Matt. Julianna Morris

was found on the printer, but he said that Uncle Will could have brought it from the office and put it there to be sure it was seen quickly.”

      “It’s possible,” Matt admitted.

      “Anything is possible, but it mostly sounds like he’s trying to explain things away so it doesn’t look as if the police didn’t investigate properly. It’s ironic. He claims I’m biased, but they seem far more biased than me. The detective dismissed the printer issue before I even finished explaining. He says I just want the finding of suicide reversed so Aunt Dee can get Uncle Will’s life insurance money.”

      When Matt raised an inquiring eyebrow, she sighed.

      “Life insurance policies have suicide clauses. Aunt Dee didn’t get a penny and she’s about to lose her house. But as much as I want to help her, I wouldn’t do anything unethical.”

      “What about income from Hudson & Davidson?”

      “Your stepfather claims they’re operating at a loss because of the scandal, so there isn’t any income.”

      “Oh,” Matt said uncomfortably.

      While the company had taken a hit, they’d fully rebounded even before he’d left to run the Eisley Foundation. And even if Peter was directing all profits to himself to repay the personal funds he’d used to restore client accounts, it wasn’t the same as operating at a loss. He hadn’t legally “loaned” the money to the company, so it shouldn’t be claimable as a line item expense.

      Surely Layne had misunderstood.

      “Aunt Dee won’t accept anything from the family,” Layne added, frustrated. “The only thing I can do is try to learn what really happened. It isn’t just the insurance—clearing Uncle Will’s name is awfully important to her. And with what I’ve found so far, I think I can do it.”

      Matt had an odd feeling Layne wasn’t telling him everything. Not that he blamed her. She’d found something that suggested her uncle had been murdered, and he was connected to one of the people she probably suspected. Hell, maybe she even thought he’d try to protect Peter at all costs.

      It was a sobering thought.

      He wanted to keep Pete’s reputation from being ripped apart for no reason, but he wouldn’t protect him from embezzlement and murder charges. Besides, why would his stepfather embezzle? Peter had inherited money from a distant relative before going into business with William Hudson, parlaying it into a sizable personal fortune by investing in the right places. He didn’t need to steal from anybody.

      His stepfather was a good guy, and he’d given Matt a job at Hudson & Davidson when no one else would consider hiring him. But what if in his haste to save the company, Pete had jumped to conclusions?

      And equally as bad, what if Matt had jumped to conclusions himself, wanting to tie things up quickly so he could start his work with the foundation? If William Hudson was innocent, it meant a thief and murderer was still out there.

      “Where do you plan to go from here?” he asked.

      “I’m going to check everything. Every movement, every piece of paper related to the business, public or private. Backgrounds on employees are a possibility...anything I can put my hands on. If Uncle Will didn’t steal from the company, he was framed for someone else’s crime.”

      “Okay,” Matt said slowly. “I’m not sure how much I agree with you, but I’m willing to meet you halfway. I’ll help.”

      Layne blinked, appearing astonished. “You’ll what?”

      “I’ll help.”

      “I’m not trying to be difficult, but why?”

      “I didn’t have much contact with your uncle when I worked at Hudson & Davidson, but I liked him. It was a shock when everything came out about the thefts. I don’t like to think we missed something when the police were investigating.”

      “That was their job, not yours.”

      “Nevertheless, I’m serious about getting involved.”

      “Then you’ll tell me more about the case?” Layne asked eagerly.

      The memory of his stepfather asking what he’d told Dorothy Hudson and her niece flashed through Matt’s head. Giving Layne information could make things sticky with Peter, but it was one of those “damned if you do and damned if you don’t” situations. Besides, the mess obviously wasn’t going away. And even if it caused problems between him and Peter, Layne and her aunt were entitled to the truth.

      “Yeah, I’ll tell you what I know,” he said. “It isn’t that much, but it might be useful.”

      Layne’s smile flashed and Matt was startled by its brilliance. “Thanks. Oh...by the way, did you have anything to do with how my uncle’s belongings were sent over from Hudson & Davidson?”

      “I’m not sure who took care of that. Any special reason?”

      “Just curious. We can talk out here.” Layne gestured to the patio table. “I’ll get something to make notes.”

      As she disappeared into her house, Matt once again got the feeling she was holding something back. But she had a truckload of reasons to be careful, and he’d gotten her to agree—more or less—to let him be involved in her search for answers.

      Strangely, hanging around Layne didn’t sound as tedious as it ought to, especially with the lingering memory of her bright smile. But that was just because he sympathized with her and her aunt. They were grieving for William Hudson, at the same time trying to find answers about his death. It couldn’t be easy.

      CHAPTER SIX

      LAYNE QUICKLY GRABBED a notebook and pen from her office upstairs, afraid Matt would change his mind. She didn’t know what to make of his offer to assist with the investigation, but he was also willing to provide information, and that was exactly what she needed. Yet even as the thought formed, she froze on the staircase and frowned.