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The loud bike pulled into the parking lot and then went quiet.
“That’s them,” I told Gary.
The rider and his passenger dismounted, unzipping their leather jackets and walking our way.
“Let me do the talking if you want to keep your teeth,” I warned Gary.
He went pale.
I got up to greet the two riders. “Hey, Beast, long time no see,” I said as we shook. I wrapped Nick Knowlton into a one-armed hug.
“Not long enough, college boy,” he said, slapping me on the back.
I untangled myself and gave his wife, Katie, a gentle hug. “Glad you brought Beauty with you.”
“Stop it,” Katie complained.
I kidded her pretty much every time we met. We’d dated a few times before she married Nick, but he’d been the right match for her, and we both knew it.
I let go and made the introductions to Gary.
Gary lifted a chip after they went inside to order. “And how are they going to help?”
“They’re forensic accountants. They’re here to help us find out who took our money.”
His brows shot up. “You’re kidding, right?”
“I don’t kid about money. She’s a CPA, and nobody beats their results.”
Gary’s perplexed look gave way to a nod. “If you say so.” He bit into his chip. Mentioning that Katie had her CPA had clinched it for him.
When they returned, Nick ribbed me about missing our last construction weekend, and I got him back by pointing out how his bike made more noise than it had horsepower.
We got down to business after we all had food in front of us.
“What’s the problem?” Nick asked.
I motioned to Gary to explain.
“Some money went missing,” he said sheepishly.
“How much?” Katie asked.
Gary looked at me for confirmation before answering. “A little over three million.”
The number had no effect on either of them, and I knew it was because this was small potatoes in their line of work.
Katie was the first to speak. “How long ago?”
“It was going on up until a few weeks ago,” Gary answered.
“Do you have any idea who is or was involved?” Nick asked after finishing chewing.
I knew how I would answer that, but instead nodded for Gary to give them his opinion.
“They arrested Lara Martini,” he started. “But she was the one who uncovered it, and I don’t think it was her.”
Nick nodded. “Why not?”
