“Oooh, good one.” Candee clicked her beer against Tara’s.
Dylan dropped into the love seat, his face red, though he seemed relieved. Maybe because Candee hadn’t gouged out Tara’s eyes. “Did you two go over the Wharton situation yet?”
“Not yet, no.” Tara looked at Candee. “You up for this?”
“If I can help, I will. Tell me what’s going on.”
“What we discuss can’t go beyond this room,” Tara said. “I don’t want to add to any rumors at Wharton. Today was my first day working there and I don’t want to get Joseph’s guard up.”
“I’ll keep it quiet. Don’t worry about that.”
“What I hope you can help me with is any irregularities in the financial pictures. My sister, my father and Joseph Banes were heard to be arguing in the days before the accident. I’m guessing it was related to cash-flow or taxes. Joseph’s behavior has been odd. He locked down my sister’s computer unexpectedly and might have taken files from my father’s home office. I need to know if he’s doing something questionable or illegal.
Candee nodded, thinking. “I know they asked for an extension on the quarterly tax payment. I heard my boss talking to Mr. Banes about it. That means penalties and interest. No one’s happy about that. Maybe that’s what the dispute was about. We had to put off the auditors, too.”
“Could be. But I’d like to know for sure.”
“I can look through my boss’s emails when he’s at lunch, if you want. See what’s come to him from Mr. Banes or Ms. Banes.”
“That would be great. As long as you don’t jeopardize your job. I’ve hit a lot of stone walls.”
“No sweat. He hits wrong keys a lot and asks me to restore his defaults. So I’m covered. Here’s another thing...I can get our IT guy to unlock your sister’s computer.”
“Would he tell Joseph?”
“Not if I ask him not to. We dated for a while.”
“I didn’t know that,” Dylan said.
“I don’t tell you everything,” she said. “You’re not my dad.”
“I don’t expect you to. I was surprised, that’s all.”
“Surprised anyone would date me? Is that it?”
“No. That’s not it.” Dylan was totally puzzled by Candee’s reaction, but Tara knew it was her nervousness about Adam. “Why are you getting so sensitive all of a sudden?”
“Why are you getting so nosy?”
Tara figured she could help out a little. “Hey, you two, you’re making me think you’re not friends anymore.”
“Of course we are,” Dylan said.
“So you’re glad Candee’s dating, right? You want her to find someone who will make her happy?”
“Absolutely.” He looked at Candee. “More than anything.”
“So you can get me off your back, right?” But she was smiling.
“Hell, no,” Tara threw in. “Where would he get great recipes like that beer-butt chicken? It was delicious.”
“We had to talk through the case, so he cooked supper,” Tara said, but she was blushing and so was Dylan. “The point is, that you wish each other well, and Dylan would be happy to hear you’d found someone special, Candee.” She leveled her gaze at Candee.
“Okay,” she said. “Now that you mention it, there is a guy I met. Adam Baylor. I met him at a Home Parties Association meeting. He’s the regional director. We’ve been dating for a month and I like him a lot.”
“Oh.” Dylan blinked, not speaking, clearly surprised.
Tara kicked his foot. “And...?”
He got it. “And that’s great. I’m happy for you, Candee.”
“You are?” She looked doubtful.
“I am.” Dylan had adjusted to the news and his answer was clearly true. “Very much so.”
“Told you,” Tara said.
“You did.” Candee gave Tara a high-five and blew out a breath. “I’m glad that’s over.”
“So...you two discussed this?” Dylan asked, totally puzzled by the conversation. “While I was...”
“Changing your shirt, right,” Candee said. “That’s how we roll, right, Tara?” She snapped her fingers quickly.
Tara laughed. She really did like Candee. “Anyway, I appreciate your help at Wharton. Anything you find out, give me a call.” She gave Candee her cell number. “I can’t thank you enough.”
“Oh, I think you can. Come to my candle party next week.”
“A candle party?” Dylan had been right about this.
“They’re a blast. We have all kinds—tea, pillars, tapers, scented, unscented. Something for everyone. You’ll like my friends. Plus, you can meet Adam. He’ll be there. So will Dylan, right?”
“Me? Uh—” He looked like he’d rather eat glass shards.
“You have to come. Melissa Sutherland’s cousin will be there—Jessica, one of your shipping clerks? You know her?”