When the Bough Breaks (Rose Gardner Investigations #6) - Denise Grover Swank Page 0,30
tell me no, but then she said, “They’re on the computer at his office, but the staff won’t let you in. Especially if they recognize you. He’s told them you’re not allowed to see the kids, and I know they won’t let you have access to his computer.”
While I knew he didn’t want me seeing the kids, it still hurt to hear her say it. “Then what do you suggest we do?”
“I’ll let you in through the back door.”
Going in through the back sounded a better idea in general. The fewer people who knew we were in there the better.
“When do you want to meet me?” she asked.
“As soon as possible. We can be there in fifteen minutes.” Even if Jed was right, and Joe started off by looking into a different angle, it wouldn’t be long before they made it to Mike’s books. We needed to get the information as soon as possible.
She hesitated. “We?”
“Me and Neely Kate. I can’t do this without her.” Neely Kate had bookkeeping experience. She’d be able to figure out what we needed more quickly than I could. Then, of course, there was the whole I-was-a-waddling-penguin thing…
“Okay…” She didn’t sound happy about it, though, and before I could confirm she was still on board with the plan, she hung up.
I turned to Jed. “She’s going to help me in through the back door.”
“And she’s good with Neely Kate coming too?”
“She didn’t say no.” I turned back to Neely Kate. “We need to leave if we’re gonna meet her in time.”
“Joe’s not gonna like this,” she said, holding my gaze. “Do you want to piss him off this close to havin’ the baby?”
The look she gave me reminded me that I had yet to share another piece of information liable to upset him. The whole incident with James. But this was different—this was about doing everything within our power, legal and not so much, to help my niece and nephew. That, I had to believe, Joe would understand.
“I’d rather keep this from him,” I said. “At least for now.”
“If the files are on his computer, copy them to a flash drive,” Jed said. “If they’re in a ledger, get photocopies. But you need to hurry because Joe’s not gonna hold off on his office for too long. You’ll need a flash drive.”
“I have one in my bag,” Neely Kate said, patting her purse.
“Jeez, woman,” Witt said. “Is there anything you don’t have in there?”
She propped a hand on her hip. “Try me.”
“An ice cube tray.”
She pulled out a small silicone tray with bird indentations. “Stork ice cubes, left over from Rose’s shower.”
“Okay,” Witt said, cocking his head. “How about cookies?”
Rolling her eyes, she said, “Amateur.” She pulled out a zippered bag containing three chocolate chip cookies, then shrugged as she shot me a glance. “I couldn’t let Ernie eat all my food.”
“Can we play this game later?” I asked. “We’re on a deadline.”
“Take my car,” Jed said, handing Neely Kate the keys. “It’ll be less noticeable.”
“If we’re looking for stealth, then I’m not sure I’m cut out for this mission.” I waved a hand over my belly. “I’m noticeable.”
Jed frowned as he looked me up and down. “You have a point.”
“We’re sneakin’ in through the back,” Neely Kate said, heading for the door. “No one’s gonna see you.”
She was right. Mike’s office was in a strip mall on the south side of town. We could likely go unseen if we parked behind the building, especially since we were bringing Jed’s nondescript car.
We were silent on the drive over, and I was relieved there weren’t any sheriff cars out front of the office when we pulled into the parking lot. Thankfully, Mike’s mother’s car was parked directly in front of the door. Neely Kate drove around the building, which wasn’t in the least bit busy, and I texted Barb to let her know we were there. The back door opened about a minute later, and she stuck her head out and motioned for us to enter.
“I sent the receptionist to lunch,” Barb said as she led us down a short hallway to Mike’s office, “and the designer has an appointment at a job site. You have about a half hour before anyone else comes back.”
I walked into the office, taking in the details of the generic space, the walls plastered with photos of houses Mike had built, a couple of civic award plaques, and photos of the kids and Violet.