Page 68 of Better Watch Out
On the coffee table, Andrew spotted what looked like GPS printouts with routes, he guessed, for the airport. He walked over to Joey. “What’s going on?”
“Agent Simpkins is on her way with some news,” Joey said, keeping his voice low. “Told us to sit tight until then.”
Slipping his hand into his pocket, Andrew pulled out his cell phone. Something about the tension in the room made him want to check on Frannie. Relief filled him when he saw her text.
“In Sicily, women are more dangerous than shotguns.”
He smiled to himself and caught the attention of Joey, who snuck a peek at the message and then gave Andrew a curious look.
“Is that a threat?”
“No,” Andrew whispered back. “Not unless cannolis are involved.”
Joey rolled his eyes. “The Godfather, really?”
There was a knock at the door and Andrew used the time to send out a quick message.
I guess “we’re going to the mattresses.”
There was a nudge on Andrew’s shoulder from Joey. He looked up from his phone and watched Doug being followed by FBI Agent Geneva Simpkins and three additional federal agents, all with grim expressions.
Andrew’s cell phone vibrated and he glanced down at the message.
“Keep your friends close but your enemies closer.”
He didn’t know if it was the room full of federal agents but Frannie’s message sent a curl of dread over his shoulders.
Agent Simpkins’s dark brown eyes zeroed in on Mr. Malone. “I’m sorry to delay your plans to leave the city but we’ve discovered some things that I’d like to ask you about.”
Stay safe.
Two words were all he had time for as Simpkins continued. He sent up a prayer and hoped it would be enough.
Not bothering to introduce the other agents with her, Simpkins opened up her briefcase and pulled out a folder. She withdrew a sheet from it and handed it to Mr. Malone. “Do you recognize that document?”
From where Andrew and Joey were standing they couldn’t see what it was.
Mr. Malone appeared confused but nodded. “It’s a registration document for a nonprofit corporation called Tanner Group.”
Deep lines carved a groove between Simpkins’s brows. “Are you familiar with the charity Passion and Purpose?”
“Vaguely. It sounds like one of the charities my wife might’ve worked with before she passed.”
“No, Daddy.” Valentina spoke quietly to her father. “It was started after mom died.” She met the watchful gaze of Agent Simpkins. “After the accident it was too hard to stay home so I went to the office and helped out wherever I could just to stay busy.” She looked back at her dad. “Uncle Gerry said a few of mom’s friends wanted to start a charity in her memory. He helped them organize it and file the tax forms.”
Mr. Malone gave a tight smile but there was painful emotion in his eyes as he looked to Simpkins. “Why?”
“And Michael Tanner, the executive director of Passion and Purpose, do you know him?”
“I can’t say that I do.” Mr. Malone shrugged. “After Patricia died, it was hard for us.” Valentina reached over and held her dad’s hand. “I wasn’t in the right head space to take over the work she did with the charities and Gerry, my wife’s uncle, was there for us. He’s kept all of it running so that there was no gap in her absence.”
“So, you’ve never met Mr. Tanner? Have you talked with anyone from Passion and Purpose?”
The skepticism in Agent Simpkins’s tone was undeniable and caused a flash of frustration to darken Mr. Malone’s eyes. “I’ve already explained to you that my wife’s philanthropic work was hers, not mine. After my father-in-law passed away, I took over his role as CEO of Kline Capital. I don’t understand—”
Doug’s cell phone cut him off. “I’m sorry.” He stepped away and answered it.
“Is this Michael Tanner responsible for the ransomware threat or something? My IT guys told me everything is still secure.”
