Another Man's Treasure (27 page)

just say I hope I am wrong...and it gets worse.”

“How much fucking worse can it get, Ross?”

“Hank Castile had Miranda’s parents killed.”

“WHAT?  Are you fucking serious?  You have proof of this?”

“Just waiting for Culver to get back to me to verify the timeline, but it looks that way.  Hank Castile had one of his henchmen kill Miranda’s parents to secure David’s silence about his activities and he did it in such a way that no one would ever think to point the finger at him.  He messed up on one little thing and we found it.  We got the bastard by the short hairs, if Culver verifies the information.”

“Not a word to Miranda until we have the proof in our hands.  She has always blamed herself for her parents’ deaths.  She has stood by David all these years and then finds out he was Castile’s pawn.  Now I have to tell her that her ex-boyfriend was the king of this little chess game?”

“Remember one thing, Jude. The queen has all the control in chess and yours is a redhead.  Castile is going down and Miranda is going to win.”

You bet your ass she’s going to win.  We will see to that.  Let’s go and meet Frannie.”

Ross and Jude headed to town, discussing strategy as they drove.  Ross was glad to have Jude as his partner again. 
Just like college...like old times.

Francine looked up from the computer screen when Jude walked into her office.  She raised her eyebrow and smiled, seeing Ross right behind him.

“Well, well, Mr. Guthrie...you couldn’t wait till lunch?  Come on in and pull up a chair.  I got here a few minutes early so I could boot up the computer and programs we are going to need.  I have access to some personal files, but mostly financials.  What do you need?”

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“Frannie, this isn’t going to jeopardize your job, is it?

“No problem, Ross.  Everything I do is encrypted.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

“Let’s just say it’s legal, just not entirely ethical.  But I have to know too. Miranda is my best friend.  Let me show you what I have found so far, it’s coming up on the printer right now.”

Francine typed quickly and the printer kicked out several documents.  Ross grabbed them and pointed out a few items to Jude.  There were red flags in David’s financials. 

“Francine, can you pull up David’s work records?  I would like to see how much he made and how many hours he was working.  Can you also trace back where certain deposits came from, whether or not they were international?”

“Sure thing, Ross, hold on.”

Francine typed furiously and clicked the mouse back and forth.  Ross watched her closely. She knew her way around computers and how to get them to tell her what she needed.  Francine was one smart cookie when it came to research.  The printer spat out several more documents which Ross snapped up and scanned quickly.  Ross raised his eyebrows, looked up at Jude, and smiled. 

Francine turned the computer screen around to face them and walked around her desk.  She leaned over Ross’s shoulder and her breasts brushed up against him.  Ross shifted his eyes and glanced at Francine as her blouse gaped open.  Francine gave him a quick wink before Ross turned his attention back to the documents and Jude.

“Look at this...David’s income compared to his deposits.  The withdrawals are going directly to a bank in Cali. Several different accounts, actually.”

“I have traced these older ones to Miranda’s aunt, I assume to help with college and expenses.  But, here and here...these are going a different account.  Let me see those numbers and see if I can track those.” 

Francine leaned over her desk, grabbed her keyboard and started typing.  Ross’s eyes were locked on the slit in her skirt, revealing her bare thighs.  Jude smiled at his friend, but never said a word. 
Oh yeah Ross my boy, no denying this lady has got your attention.

“Ok, this is strange.   Those other account numbers all lead to parent companies overseas. Shit, hang on.”

Francine typed quickly and the website of an international bank popped up, then another, and another.  Ross and Jude watched in silence as Francine mumbled under her breath.

“Well, I’ll be damned.  So you think you are sneaky? Pfft...Not sneaky enough.”akythese ar

“What did you find, Frannie?”

“I just found the bank Castile is laundering money through.  Completely accidentally, but nonetheless, it is coming up on the printer.” 

Francine grabbed the papers, handed them to Ross and pointed out her discovery.

“All these accounts in California, different names and info, are being directed to an overseas account, again all different names.  But, and this is where he fucked up, all these different accounts have withdrawals and subsequent deposits going to the same account, and all filtered back through a bank in Los Angeles.  The name on that account is a corporation, The Single’s Game, LLC.  They finance all kinds of smaller businesses, nightclubs and such.  The CEO/CFO of The Single’s Game, LLC is none other than Hank Castile.”

Ross and Jude looked at each other and nodded.  Ross stood up and walked to the middle of the office with his back towards Jude and Francine.  His fingers were locked together behind his head, tipped back and he took a deep breath.

I got you, Castile, you son of a bitch
.  Ross turned back towards Jude and smiled.

“Francine did it, Jude.  Don’t you see?  Miranda’s guilt is unfounded.  Castile saw Miranda at one of his clubs.  He told me about “this sweet redhead” he saw dancing up a storm.  Castile found out where she worked and struck up a relationship, only to find out her last name was Jones.  He used Miranda to control David.  David didn’t betray her!”

“Mandy said the time Castile danced with her, she already knew who he was.”

“I am sure that is true, but Castile SAW her long before that.  He tracked her and that was his way into her life.  He used Miranda to control his brother. HER brother.”

Ross walked over to Jude and put his hand on his shoulder.  Jude closed his eyes and took a deep breath.  This was all too surreal.  Jude mumbled under his breath.

“No more nightmares baby...no more.”

Francine stood as tears ran down her cheeks.  Jude stood up and embraced Francine and thanked her over and over.

“Frannie, thank you for this. We owe you big.”

“You owe me nothing, Jude.  M is my bestie.  I would do anything for her. I’m just glad she is home with people who love her.”

“Hey, can I get in on some of this hugging shit?”

“Ross, if you think I am gonna hug you man, you’re fuckin’ nuts.  You’ll crush me just to get a laugh.”

Ross laughed as Jude backed away from Francine.  Francine took a couple steps forward towards Ross and grinned.

“Delaney here may be chicken, but I’m up for the challenge.  I will take my chances of being crushed by Mr. Muscles.” 

Ross gathered Francine in his arms and gave a quick hug and attempted to let go.  Francine held fast and pressed her body against him.  Ross inhaled through his nose; the smell of her was intoxicating.  He felt a stirring through his groin and his whole body shivered.  Francine finally stepped back and winked at him.  She knew full body contact would be the first step in knocking down his walls.

“I do believe you owe me lunch, Ross?  Francine looked and Jude with wide eyes and spoke politely.  “Will you be joining us, Jude?”

“Hmmm, no, I don’t think so Frannie.  I am going home to Mandy.  Dinner tonight at the farmhouse?  Burgers on the grill sound good?”

“Perfect! See you later then.  How about 7 pm?”

“Sounds great!  You two have a great lunch.  Frannie, take it easy on the big guy.  He’s a big marshmallow.”

“Don’t make me shoot you, Delaney.  I'm an expert marksman and never miss my target...no matter how small.”

“Fuck off, Guthrie. You’d miss me too damn much.”

“Come on, Francine. Lunch is waiting and the shit is getting deep in here.”

The three laughed as they left the office...  Jude wanted and needed to hold Miranda. The nightmare ride was coming to an end.  Ross and Francine were just getting started on the roller coaster.

             
                                                        *********

Ross held the door open for Francine as she walked into the Irish Pub.  All eyes were on them as they walked through the crowd to find a vacant booth.  Francine was all smiles watching people’s reactions to Ross.  Everyone stood back like Ross was Moses parting the Red Sea.  He stood out in the crowd, but remained cool and aloof.  Ross exuded confidence and there was a natural sensuality in his stride.  He wore snug blue jeans that hugged his hips and his thick thighs and a blue tee shirt that fit like a glove and accentuated every muscle across his abs and chest.  Ross’s black leather jacket concealed the holster and Glock he wore on his left side.

They sat on opposite t other jsides which was fine with Ross.  He loved the v-neck, blush colored blouse Francine wore today.  It was a gorgeous pairing with the tight fitting, black pencil skirt.  Francine generally wore her hair up when at work, but today she chose to wear it loose around her shoulders.  Her hair glistened in the sun like spun gold.  Ross was completely entranced with her smile and beauty.

“Is a booth ok with you, Ross?”

“Booth is great, Frannie.”

“Do you want to hang your jacket up?  There are hooks on the wall where we came in.”

“Think I better keep the jacket on.  No use in freaking everyone out with the holster and gun.”