Maria's eyebrows furrowed quizzically. Her eyes zeroed in on Michael.
"Ben Darnell's henchman was in conference with Don Little. He said they think Allen Gray took his own life. Something about missing funds, a supplier, and a company sleuth closing in on the accounting department. Allen Gray was offered an early retirement in exchange for his testimony."
"Testimony on what? A supplier?" Maria's heart raced and her palms became clammy, her fingers tremulous. She knew that Allen Gray would never commit an offense against Darnell Imports.
"Testimony against you, Maria," Michael said as he leaned forward.
"That's impossible. I've never so much as considered doing anything illegal. No, you misheard." Her breath came in quick shallow bursts. She was finding it difficult to focus. Her eyes burned.
Michael wasn't to be sidetracked by protestations of innocence. Hadn't he done the same only weeks earlier? He understood the natural reaction. "They think you and Allen dreamed up a phony supplier, funneled money through him, and planned to split whenever you had amassed a small fortune. They can't afford to let word get out--stock prices and confidence and all. The Darnell attorney, a guy by the name of Jarod Thomas, said you were transferred to another department. The password has been changed, and all payments have ceased. They're checking right now to tally their losses."
Michael brushed crumbs into the palm of his hand and flicked them over his plate. "I don't believe a word of it, Maria. I know you. Problem is, I'm not much of a character reference." He smiled and grasped her hand. He'd never thought she had it in her to commit a felony, but one never knows. He stared into the stricken face. Who could one trust these days? If Maria, then anyone would be capable of deceit for the big payoff.
The words sank in, and Maria's head shook in wonder. "Look, Maria, I wasn't set up. I did it myself. I conceived it. I perpetrated it. I slipped up. I got caught. Now, I'll pay the piper. I think you're being set up. You're going to take the fall for someone. Perhaps Allen Gray. I guess he's in hiding until this blows over. Maybe he's off spending his ill-got millions. He'll live out his old age in luxury while you rot in jail."
"Did it ever occur to you he could have been eliminated because he knows who set up the account?" Silence fell between them. Maria looked exhausted. She felt exhausted. Too much had happened to absorb. She needed to sleep. She needed to talk to someone who knew Darnell. Someone who could help her. Michael looked long at Maria. He just never thought she had it in her.
"Michael, I wish you well. I know you'll come through this all right." She dredged up a weak smile. She straightened her shoulders with great effort.
"And you?" He knew what it was to sleep a little, eat now and then, and drink continually.
"I don't know. I don't know what--or whom--I'm up against." Her head pounded. "I need to sleep on this, Michael. Thanks for coming. Right now, I'm really confused."
Michael touched her shoulder with the tips of his fingers. "It's a strange life. I'll keep my ears to the door."
"You do that," she said flatly. She stood up and walked resolutely to the door; she opened it and held it for Michael to leave. She locked the door.
Michael left a befuddled Maria, unable to make either heads or tails from the mess she was in. She was up to her ears in trouble. If Michael could be believed. Facts played across her mind. Allen's abrupt retirement. Her transfer out of her field of expertise to an unfamiliar assignment, one for which she had no preparation, one beneath her abilities. All the confounding pieces were falling into place. How did Jeff fit in?
Aimless wandering brought Maria to her computer, and she called up the e-mail messages. Only one old message had not been deleted. She'd read it before. Over and over, she'd read it. It should have been deleted long ago.
"Miss me? I miss you. I was wrong. Let's get together and patch things up. I'm on my knees. Honest. I'm reduced to begging. I need you, Maria. You need me; admit it. I've been working on my Asian notes, but my mind is on you. Get your passport in order. You'll need a visa, DT, hepatitis, and polio shots. We'll travel light. I want you to see the sights I've told you about. I'll call you."
