Out of the Depths Read online

  “How can I help?” Cody pushed back from the desk to give Trudy Lynn access when she approached.

  Instead, she paused and held up her hands. “Oh, no. I’m not touching that thing. The last time I tried I messed up days and days of Jim’s work.”

  “Don’t you have the information you need on paper?”

  She shrugged and quirked a lopsided smile. “Somewhere. Your guess is as good as mine. See those stacks of storage boxes over there? The white ones? Once Jim started putting all the data into the computer, I kind of quit keeping up any other files.”

  “Kind of?” Cody arched an eyebrow.

  “Don’t look at me like that. The stuff is in groups. I kept adding to a box till it was full, then started a new one. If I could remember approximately when we ordered those older canoes, I could probably locate the invoice. Eventually. Trouble is, the longer I take, the longer it’ll be till I get any reimbursement. I thought, since you’re good with computers, you could look it up for me.”

  “I’m not sure I want to. How big is your cousin?” Cody teased with a wry smile.

  “Not big at all. He’s a skinny teenager. Smart, but no muscleman like you.”

  Cody couldn’t help feeling good about her description of him, especially when she began to blush. He laughed. “Muscleman? Thanks, I think.”

  “You know what I mean. You’re taller, and…Oh, never mind.”

  To his delight, her rosy cheeks darkened even more. “Okay. Enough compliments,” he said, carefully rolling the chair closer so it faced the desk. “Tell me how to access the accounts payable file and I’ll see what I can find.”

  “I don’t know.” Trudy Lynn leaned over his shoulder to peer at the screen. “The thingie was already running when I got myself in trouble the last time.”

  “The thingie?” Cody chuckled low as he disconnected from the Internet and checked the listings of files. There were two with almost identical names. “Here you are. Which is it?”

  “Beats me.” She scowled. “One must be from last year. Open the one with the most recent activity and we’ll work backward from there.”

  Cody checked dates. “This shows they’ve both been accessed in the past few days.”

  “Jim was probably looking for the insurance information on the other canoes that were ruined,” she said. “Just pick either one.”

  “You could wait till your cousin comes back to work.”

  “I could,” Trudy Lynn said, “but why dawdle when I have an expert sitting right here?” She pulled a face. “You are an expert, aren’t you?”

  “I won’t accidentally erase anything, if that’s what you’re asking. I use a similar program to keep my investment portfolio. It’s a pretty simple system once you get the hang of it.”

  “Not for me it isn’t,” she said with a smirk. “All machines hate me, even my vacuum cleaner. The only reason I can keep the ATV running is because Will uses it more than I do and it likes him. I think it’s a guy thing.”

  “If you say so.” Cody had been trying to open the chosen file and had failed. “What’s your password?”

  “Password? For what?”

  “This file. It’s password protected. Didn’t you know that?”

  “No.” She laid a hand lightly on Cody’s shoulder and leaned closer to read what was on the screen. “That’s weird.”

  He forced himself to pay no heed to the warm touch of her hand. It was harder to ignore the light, floral fragrance of her long brown hair as it neared his cheek.

  “Not if Cousin Jim was worried you’d mess with the program again and cause him extra work,” Cody said, fighting to concentrate on anything but his companion. “What’s his last name? When’s his birthday? Who’s his current girlfriend?”

  None of those answers proved to be the password so he began to try more eclectic terms. It wasn’t until he used weed that he got a positive response. “Hmm. Not good. I’d rather he’d chosen something non-drug related.”

  “You don’t know that’s what that stands for.”

  “I have a pretty good idea,” Cody argued, “unless you’re going to tell me Jim is into horticulture.”

  “Unfortunately, no.” Trudy Lynn squinted at the data. “Page down. Again. That can’t be right. I didn’t net nearly that much last month.”

  He looked up and noted her scowl. “Are you sure?”

  “Positive.”

  “Okay. Let’s print this page and check it against the other file.”

  “What good will that do?”

  “Maybe none. Shall I go ahead and try it?”

  “Sure.” She shook her head, clearly confused. “Things were a lot simpler when I used to save my receipts in a shoe box and pay the bills myself.”

  “This system is more efficient,” Cody told her.

  “I suppose so. I just miss having a clear picture of how the business is doing. Looking at the printouts Jim gives me is not the same.”

  Cody clicked on the second file. To his surprise, it opened without difficulty. He leaned back in the chair and whistled softly.

  “What?”

  “Look at this. Is that more like what you think you earned last month?”

  “Yes, but…”

  “Wait a second,” he said. “I want this on paper, too. Then we’ll do some comparing.”

  “How will that help?”

  Cody started the printer, then turned to study Trudy Lynn’s expression. She was his sister’s close friend. He couldn’t imagine she’d be in on any scheme to defraud the government by keeping two sets of books in order to avoid paying income taxes. Although dishonest businesses did it all the time, or tried to, this woman didn’t fit the pattern. She was too open. Too honest. Too clearly perplexed. Besides, if she’d been involved in cooking the books she wouldn’t have invited an outsider like him to examine them.

  Picking up the second printed sheet, Cody carefully compared it to the first, then laid them both facedown on the desk. He could see at a glance that part of the net difference was in the amount of hourly wage charged to her summer help.

  “How much do you pay Anne and the other kids?” Cody asked.

  Trudy Lynn quoted a figure far above what he’d seen on one of the sheets.

  “How about Will?”

  “I pay him about twice what the kids get. And I gave him a raise this year. Why?”

  “One of these sets of books shows a good-sized increase. The other doesn’t show nearly that much.”

  “So, one has to be from last year.”

  “Nope. Sorry.” Cody could tell she was stunned. Good. That spoke well for her character. “I can’t be positive without doing some serious math, but I suspect your cousin has been siphoning off cash for himself and charging it to other sources. The teens who work for you are only getting part of what you think you’re paying them.”

  Cody displayed his findings and pointed out the discrepancies. “See? According to this posting, Will hasn’t had a decent raise in at least two years, either.”

  “That’s impossible!” Trudy Lynn snatched the papers from him, her glance darting back and forth between the two lists. Her eyes grew misty. “I can’t believe it. There must be another explanation.”

  “I sincerely hope so,” Cody said. “For your sake and for Jim’s. Because if there isn’t, you have more than one crime to worry about. You’re a victim of embezzlement.”

  Trudy Lynn had ferried Cody back to his cabin and was sitting alone in her office, mulling over the morning’s startling discovery, when her private phone rang. So few people knew that number she assumed it had to be a personal call. “Hello?”

  “Ms. Brown? This is Billy Joe Potts, down at Serenity Realty, on the square. I brokered sales for several of your competitors last year. Remember?”

  She tensed. “Vaguely.”

  “Well, Ms. Brown, I have great news for you. I’ve had an offer on your place that you won’t be able to turn down. Isn’t that amazing?”

  The fine hairs at the
nape of Trudy’s neck were bristling. Her grip tightened on the receiver. “Amazing.”

  “Then you’ll consider selling? That’s wonderful! I knew you’d appreciate the chance to make a big profit. I’ll bring the offer right over and get your signature. Say, in an hour?”

  “No,” Trudy Lynn said, masking her wariness as best she could. “I’m not free this afternoon. And tomorrow is Sunday. Why don’t I stop by your office sometime Monday?”

  “I don’t mind working on the weekend.”

  “Well, I do. I’ll be in church Sunday morning and evening. If you can’t wait till Monday, perhaps we’d better just forget the whole thing.”

  “No, no! Don’t…don’t do that. Monday’s fine.”

  His nervous, stammering protest was enough to prove to Trudy Lynn that something fishy was going on. She hung up and headed for Cody’s cabin without hesitation.

  As usual, she found him and his dog lounging on the porch. “Don’t you ever go inside?” she asked pleasantly.

  “Not if I can help it. At least not in nice weather like this.”

  “Well, since this is Arkansas, you might as well enjoy it while you can. Folks say our weather changes every twenty minutes.” She joined him by sitting on the top step, as before. “Personally, I think that’s an exaggeration. It usually takes at least thirty.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” He started to lower his propped-up leg.

  “Sit still and be comfortable,” Trudy Lynn said. “I can’t stay. I just need a second opinion. Since you’re the only one aware of the mess my finances are in right now, I thought you could give me the best advice.”

  “I’ll try. What’s up? Did you talk to your cousin?”

  “Not yet. I did just get a call from a real estate agent, though. He says he’s had an offer on this place.”

  “You told me you’d never sell.”

  “I still feel that way. But if I’m going to owe back taxes or be fined for filing erroneous tax returns or something like that, I don’t know if I can afford to stay.”

  “I wouldn’t make any rash decisions,” Cody said. “I’d hate to see you give up when none of this mess was your fault. That’s not like you. Where’s that faith you keep talking about?”

  “Sometimes it’s hard to see God’s plan. I have a tendency to try to second-guess Him.”

  “Must mean you’re human.”

  “I guess so.” She laced her fingers together around one knee and leaned back. “So, what do you think? Should I even bother talking to the real estate agent? He wants to see me Monday.”

  “Do you want to sell?”

  “No. Of course not.”

  “Then turn down the offer, no matter how good it is. If you’re meant to sell, there’ll be another one.”

  “Trust God to work it out, you mean?” Trudy Lynn tilted her head back to grin up at him.

  “I didn’t say that.”

  “Yes, you did. But don’t worry. I won’t tell anybody. It’ll be our secret, just you, me and Sailor.” The Newf thumped his tail at the mention of his name.

  “That’s big of you.”

  The comical, cynical face Cody was making spurred her to chuckle quietly. “My pleasure. And speaking of things that are nice, how about letting me drive you to church tomorrow? I’m sure your sister would love to see you.”

  Cody huffed. “Yeah. Especially in her husband’s church.” He shrugged. “Oh well, why not? I want to talk to Logan, anyway.”

  “Not about the discrepancies in the books. Not yet,” Trudy warned. “I don’t want you to say anything to anybody till I’ve had a chance to hear Jim’s side of it.”

  “I think you’re wrong to wait. The sooner you get to the bottom of things, the less opportunity your cousin will have to erase the files and destroy the evidence.”

  “I’ve been thinking about that,” she said. “Why would Jim want proof of his theft? It’s nonsense to think he’s that stupid.”

  “Not stupid,” Cody replied, “overconfident and egotistical. He’s sure he’s smarter than anybody else and he wants a record of his accomplishments.”

  “Maybe he’s keeping track because he means to return what he’s taken.”

  Cody stared at her for a moment, then burst into laughter. “That’s the most naive thing I’ve ever heard.”

  “Oh, yeah? Well, he deserves the benefit of the doubt, and I intend to give it to him.”

  “Because he’s kin, as you all say around here?”

  “Not entirely. I like to think I’d be that fair with anybody.”

  “What about the Randall kid? Were you positive he was a thief when you fired him?”

  “Of course. Jim even saw…” Trudy realized what she was saying and broke off before Cody had a chance to interrupt. “Uh-oh. Jim again. You don’t suppose…?”

  “I don’t know. But I do think I’d look into it if I were you. Just because a kid’s family has problems, that doesn’t mean he or she has to end up the same.”

  She scowled, studying Cody. His expression was innocent enough. However, if he’d been gossiping with Will there was no telling what tales he’d already heard about her parents.

  Straightening and getting to her feet, she faced him. “Speaking of families, I want you to know my father was a fine man. He did the best he could for me and my mother. She was just fragile, that’s all. It wasn’t Daddy’s fault.”

  “I’m sure it wasn’t,” Cody said.

  If he’d shown any sign of puzzlement she would have stopped explaining. Since he appeared to know what she was referring to, she continued. “After Mama died, Daddy was never the same. I was barely in my teens but I did all I could to help him. I took over cooking, cleaning, paying the bills, everything. It was like he didn’t care anymore. I know he couldn’t stop blaming himself, wondering what more he could have done. In the end, I think it killed him, too.”

  “So, you’ve had to be strong for everybody else.”

  “Yes. I’m proud to say I’m nothing like my parents. I never give up.”

  Nodding, he spoke quietly and with compassion. “I understand. No wonder you kept insisting my client’s drowning wasn’t my fault. You knew what harboring guilt like that can do to a person.”

  “Yes. Firsthand.”

  Trudy Lynn was watching him closely, waiting for an argument, when she saw the clear blue of his eyes grow misty. She wasn’t sure whether he was letting go of his misplaced blame or merely appreciating her opinion when he said, “Thank you,” but she took it as a very good sign.

  EIGHT

  Sunday morning dawned bright and clear. Cody had been planning to catch Logan after church and ask him more about good old Cousin Jim. Now that he’d heard Trudy Lynn’s sad tale of her childhood, he had a few questions for his sister, too.

  Personal inquiries about his hostess were probably out of line, he realized, yet her revelation had touched him deeply. No wonder she was so determined to be self-reliant. At a time when she should have been enjoying childhood she’d been forced to step into a grown-up’s shoes. Her skill and perseverance spoke well of her, yes, but there were still invisible scars.

  Cody smiled as he dressed. Early success in an adult role had made Trudy Lynn the most hardheaded woman he’d ever met. Although he now understood some of the reasons for her stubbornness, she still drove him crazy. For instance when she’d charged the prowler with only a canoe paddle for defense!

  He raked his fingers through his hair, venting his frustration. Much more excitement like that and he’d be turning gray before his time, as Sailor was starting to do around the muzzle.

  One glance at the placid canine brought back Cody’s smile. “You’re going to be on your own this morning, boy. I’m going out. Think you can be good while I’m gone?”

  The dog’s head drooped. He laid his ears back and settled a pitiful gaze on his master.

  “That’s right. I’m leaving. And you’re staying here. I want you to behave. I’ll leave you plenty of food and water
. Just don’t break down any more doors, okay? Will wasn’t real happy about fixing this one the last time.”

  His dog’s expression made Cody shake his head and chuckle. “Now I know where the saying, hangdog-look, came from. That’s the most miserable face you’ve ever made.” He paused to ruffle the silky fur on the dog’s ears. “Cheer up, fella. I’ll bring you a treat. I promise.”

  He was still petting the dog when he heard a knock. Gathering up his crutches he called, “Come in. I’m ready.”

  Trudy Lynn eased the door open. The smile on her face grew to a grin when she saw him. “Morning.”

  “Good morning. I was just telling Sailor we’d bring him a treat. Will that be okay? I don’t want to put you out, but I wouldn’t want him to think I’d fib, either.”

  She giggled. “That’s fine. We’ll find something. Some of the stores are open on Sunday. And a few restaurants serve brunch after church, then close about two o’clock.”

  “They close early?” Cody joined her on the porch and secured the door. “Why?”

  “Because it’s Sunday, silly. The Sabbath.”

  “Ah, yes. Sunday in the Bible Belt. You weren’t kidding about this part of the country being different, were you?”

  “Nope.” She led the way to her pickup and opened the door for him.

  Cody scowled. “You don’t have to baby me.”

  “Sorry. My mistake.”

  He watched her flounce around to the driver’s side, her skirt swinging gracefully against her calves. If the green dress she’d ruined had actually been her favorite, this blue one deserved to be number two. It looked wonderful on her. Then again, everything she wore did.

  Trudy Lynn slipped behind the wheel and peered over at him. “Well? Get a move on.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He positioned the crutches against the seat, parallel to his leg, and slammed the door. “Sorry I snapped at you.”

  “No problem. Sorry I was too nice. I’ll do my best to be much meaner in the future.”

  “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.” She glanced at him as she drove out of the campground. “That’s a nice jacket. You clean up pretty decent for a Californian.”