"Accident caused by intoxication and probably driver distraction from the fact the woman with him wasn't just sitting in the car or even in her seat." Christine wiped away a tear she barely realized had fallen and felt more humiliated than she could ever recall, except when she confessed all this to Charlie. "So the company settled six months ago and sends me monthly checks I deposit into my account. Randy set it up before he died so I could support my children, pay for their college or whatever they needed if something happened to him. I can give you the name of the insurance company, the agent, and the court docket number, even the judge's name and decision. It's all at home though."
"It would be appreciated. Thank you." Mrs. Bensen broke their gazes and closed the file.
Christine put her head in her hands, uncaring if she appeared guilty or weak. If Mrs. Bensen pressed any further, asked any more questions about Randy, his lover, and the circumstances of their deaths, it would get real ugly. Only Maddy and Charlie were aware of the whole truth; she'd kept the worst secret so Adam and Anna didn't learn. Oh God, please make her stop. Please.
"You have my condolences," Mrs. Bensen spoke softly. "I didn't realize the circumstances and understand how painful this must be for you."
"Thank you." Just leave it alone. Please just leave it alone. Don't make me relive the pain not only was my husband continually unfaithful, he died getting oral sex from the mistress he lived with and provided for in another town. A mistress his family knew all about and supported over his own wife and children. Don't make me remember how his brother tried to kill me after his funeral or how my house still bears scars from what his family did. Please, please don't ask me any more questions about my dead husband.
"I still need to ask a few more questions." Mrs. Bensen cleared her throat. "The deposits make everything suspect."
Numbness sank into her bones as Christine raised her head. "I realize how it appears. The insurance settlement is ten thousand dollars every month, exactly what some of the discrepancies in the invoices add up to, right? But I don't need or have a reason to steal. I work because I love my job. Most of the time."
Mrs. Bensen's lips quirked as she tapped fingers on her knee. The seconds ticked off as they regarded each other. "Until we determine exactly who is at fault, you have been placed on administrative leave. Effectively immediately."
Had she not still been sitting, she'd have fallen. Administrative leave, the step before termination of employment. Christine swallowed and nodded. Had Charlie received this? Would he lose his promotion because of this whole mess? No wonder he didn't want to talk to her.
"Jim will escort you from the building." Mrs. Bensen stood. "You're not to discuss this investigation with anyone within this corporation or you will be immediately terminated from employment. Do you understand?" Christine nodded once more, unable to speak even if her life depended upon it. "Not anyone, Ms. Howell. But to be specific, Charlie Jergens. Talking to him will jeopardize continued employment with this corporation and could lead to criminal charges."
"I understand." Christine gathered her purse, keys, and coffee. She had to get out of here while she could still walk. No matter what Mrs. Bensen just ordered, she had to talk to Charlie right away, even if she got fired or went to jail. "Good bye."
The stares of other coworkers as Jim walked her toward the elevators were almost unbearable: Tom, his mouth hanging open, Laci with her smug expression, Kathy, just watching.
"My hands are tied. It's all above me, way above me. There's nothing I can say or do to stop this," Jim said.
"It's not me. I swear." Christine entered the elevator.
Jim waited until the doors closed to grip her hand. "It will get settled, one way or another."
"I've been with this corporation and office over ten years. I could never do this."
He watched the elevator numbers until they halted. "Send the documents Mrs. Bensen requested by courier to me ASAP. I'll call you if there are any new developments or if she needs anything further. Take care. Good luck."
"Thanks." Christine walked in a daze to her car and laid her head on the steering wheel. How could people like Jim, who worked with her for years, believe for one second she'd steal? "I have to warn Charlie." When he answered his cell, all sleepy voiced, she took a second to breathe and not blurt out the whole mess. "Hi, hope I didn't wake you. We need to talk."
Chapter Eight
Christine's voice woke Charlie, making him so happy. For a minute, he wanted to hop a plane straight to the mainland. Then he remembered everything. Damn, what the hell could he do? "Hey, what's going on?"
"I'm on administrative leave," she whispered, her tone thick and unsteady. Damn. Damn. Damn. He could handle anything but the strongest woman he'd ever met breaking into tears. Damn. "Mrs. Bensen and the corporation think I've been stealing money, making fake orders, changing numbers and everything. And they said it could only be me or you."
What am I supposed to say? How can I comfort you?
"It's not you, Charlie. I told them it's not you."
It's not you. He wanted more than anything to say the words, yet he remained silent.
"I didn't do this. I swear." Her words rushed out. "They even pulled my bank records and asked me about the insurance deposits."